East Hartford Evicts Businesses From 'Unsafe' Plaza: Reports

EAST HARTFORD, CT — Eviction notices were recently handed out to businesses remaining at the Silver Lane Plaza in East Hartford, FOX 61 reported. Some of the business owners are objecting to the notices, which were handed out two weeks ago and stated that businesses have 90 days to leave.

One business owner said that they're objecting to how the tenants are being treated and the rush to move.

However, city officials said the plaza is unsafe, which will require businesses to eventually move. Mayor Mike Walsh told FOX 61 that they can extend leases into "September, October, November, December but you got to give us a plan."

The town acquired the dilapidated plaza via eminent domain in March. Plans call for the plaza's three buildings to be demolished and the site to be sold to private developers.

Several of the businesses said they have nowhere else to go, The Hartford Courant reported. Some of the business owners have invested thousands of dollars into improving their storefronts, money lost if they have to relocate.

Many shops and offices in the plaza shut down last year. For those remaining, the town will meet individually with each tenant "to identify relocation sites and compile financial records for possible relocation assistance,” according to The Hartford Courant.