Small business owners, renters in Downtown arena footprint will have to relocate

Those who own buildings in the new Downtown arena’s footprint stand to make money by selling their properties, but those businesses or residents in the area who rent, have nothing to gain.

“We still have about five years left on our lease,” said Justin Anchondo, co-owner of Mr. Photo Booth. The business is located on Leon Street, within the arena’s footprint.

Anchondo said they specifically wanted Mr. Photo Booth, a photo booth rental business, to be located Downtown, so they set up shop there about a year ago.

“As a leaser, we don’t have as much, I guess, bargaining room as a purchaser or the owner of the property would,” Anchondo said.

The building’s owner has indicated he will likely sell to the city, leaving Anchondo and Mr. Photo Booth searching for a new location.

“It’s kind of scary for us because we don’t know how fast we’re going to have to be moved, the conditions of us being moved out and what not,” Anchondo said. “We don’t want to move. We want to stay Downtown and hopefully the city will help us do that.”

Mike Leibbrand, 70, has lived in the apartments at Overland and Leon, also within the arena footprint, for a decade. “Why they had to pick this to uproot a whole neighborhood,” Leibbrand asked, “I don’t understand.”

Leibbrand, who has just been diagnosed with kidney failure, told ABC-7 the arena situation has upset him.

“Very much so,” he said, pointing out he would be interested in what the city could provide in terms of assistance. “I’m going to need it. I don’t have the money to move and get another deposit on another place. I need a pet deposit. I don’t have the money for that and I know the rent is going to be higher some other place.”

City Rep. Cortney Niland said that residents displaced from the area will receive six months rent and moving expenses from the City. The City Attorney has indicated businesses will also receive assistance with relocation, especially, if they want to remain Downtown.