By Natasha Jamal
Insecurity over the future of local businesses in La Promenade building on Sparks Street has tenants growing impatient and frustrated with their silent landlord.
“All this uncertainty brings you a lack of sleep. It kills you slowly,” says Nazmi Fawaz, owner of Bello Uomo. His business has been in the building for 13 years.
“I am hoping for a positive end – not something that will end up affecting my life and my partner’s life, and our families.”
In a letter sent out three months ago, the Department of Public Works warned tenants of La Promenade that Members of Parliament would be relocated to the building.
The West Block, where they are currently located, is crumbling and has been declared a health hazard.
But the businesses are still waiting for concrete news.
“The last thing we heard was that the MPs were moving and the West Block was getting renovated,” says Fawaz. “We have been kept in the dark as to where about they are moving and how long they are going to take to renovate.”
Pierre Teotonio, spokesman for Public Works, says the department is still planning how to accommodate offices and committee rooms in the building. Although Public Works has “maintained ongoing discussions” with the tenants it will be in a better position to discuss the issue once all the planning is finalized, he says.
“We want to assure them that they will be kept informed on any developments regarding their tenancies, and this will be done as soon as the decisions are made.”
For business owners that is not enough. They want answers now and don’t trust Public Works to give them.
When Fawaz renewed his lease a year ago, he had to agree to a 90-day clause, and can be forced to evacuate with three months notice, he says.
This ties his hands if he wants to sell and if he does have to leave the building to make room for the MPs, it will be difficult for him to start from scratch.
“I believe that this was done on purpose because this is the first time that they have included this clause,” he says. “I wonder if this was a poison pill to test the waters and see our reaction. Maybe there is something bigger behind all this that they are not telling us.”
Tony Kano, owner of Jewellery Plus and Planet News, says his businesses could deal with some interruption if the MPs were to relocate, but removing him entirely from the building would be unfair.
His lease is valid until 2008 and does not include the 90-day clause.
“When they come to talk to us,” he says, “they better have a good package.”
“No amount of money can replace 15 years of being here,” he added.
“I hope they just leave us alone to do our job.”