Dozens of protesters gathered at the Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014 meeting of the zoning committee of the JP Neighborhood Council at Farnsworth House.
Business

Neighborhood Group Rejects City Realty Project in Forest Hills

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After hearing horror stories from City Realty tenants, a JP advisory board unanimously denied approval to a project the company aims to build at 38-42 Hyde Park Ave. The Brighton-based real estate company would like to tear down a former martial arts studio and put a three-story mixed-use building in its place. Negotiations with Forest Hills neighbors had made progress, according to the Gazette. But that was before City Realty began facing significant push-back on two separate properties across the neighborhood in Egleston Square. There, the owners of seven local businesses have been given eviction notices.

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Santo Ramírez, one of the store owners being evicted from City Realty property on Washington Street, shakes hands with supporters during a rally on Sept. 16, 2014.
Business

Latino Business Owners Facing Eviction Take Stand Against New Landlord

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City Realty is evicting Santo Ramírez from Anibal Color Studio, the business he's run at 3154 Washington St. for the last six years. On Tuesday, he and other business tenants took to the streets to protest what they say is their new landlord's heavy hand. "We depend on our business to survive," Ramírez told Jamaica Plain News after the rally. He and other business owners said City Realty has tried to jack up their rents and hasn't been a good community partner since they bought two Egleston Square buildings at auction in April.

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City Councilor Tito Jackson speaks at Egleston Square rally on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014.
Business

‘It’s Okay to Make Money. What Is Not Okay is Exploitation.’

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City Councilor Tito Jackson attacked landlord City Realty Group during a rally at one of their Egleston Square properties, saying their tactics hurt small business owners. Housing activists organized a rally to support seven Latino-owned businesses that are in danger of being evicted or priced out of properties City Realty recently purchased at auction. The rally was held at one of those properties, 3160 Washington St. "We will not support organizations that try to come in and bust up our neighborhoods and communities," said Jackson. While the businesses and City Realty have been negotiating with the tenants, the company has started eviction proceedings on several of them.

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