Tenants of the Grafton Street apartment buildings set for demolition this summer gathered for what many felt would be their last opportunity to all get together for a community meal on Saturday.
The meal was mainly prepared by restaurant owners Said and Sara Sadat while Top Fresh Asian Food Market also provided food for the event.
“The main reason is because all the tenants, commercial and residential, we think this will be our final meal together,” said Richard Yu, who owns the market. “It’s pretty sad.”
The residents are all looking for new homes, while Yu and Sadat are seeking commercial space, due to the planned demolition of the buildings this summer to make way for a Holland College student residence.
Residents were to receive their 60-days notice in the first week of May.
Last month, city council gave unanimous support to the college’s rezoning application in order to build the proposed residence.
However, current residents of the nearly 20 units say they won’t be able to find other affordable apartments, especially within a two-month space.
Sadat said he has had no luck in finding another commercial space.
“If I can’t find another place, I’ll have to close my restaurant,” said Sadat, a former Afghan refugee who built up his business after moving to P.E.I. in 2007. “There’s nothing downtown.”
Yu is having the same difficulty.
“We’re in the same situation,” said Yu, who had signed a two-year lease with the previous landlord shortly before finding out about the sale.
Both Yu and Sadat have received three months notice, rather than the two months given to residential tenants.
The college has said it will assist tenants by providing them with lists of other properties and landlords with available accommodations as well as forgoing the final two months of rent.
A college spokesperson has also said the school will provide labour to help those moving furniture and heavy items, with the construction phase expected to begin in July.
Yu said he has yet to receive any assistance in finding a new space.
“They haven’t helped me with anything and I can’t find a place to move. I want to stay here as long as possible,” said Yu, who also said he feels for the others also affected. “Most of them (the tenants) are nice people but they have no power. I’m sad about our situation. We all need help, not just me.”
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