AUSTIN, Texas — A local business owner is calling for compensation after he said new condo construction is blocking traffic into his shop.
Enzo Johnson loves music and has owned the Living in Stereo record store since 2020. He called KVUE because he said his business is in danger.
In September, he moved to a new location on Weidemar Lane in South Austin because construction and other city growing pains on South Congress Avenue were hurting business – not knowing the same issue would find him again.
"It started off pretty well, and then I guess about five or six months into it, we noticed right across the street, they just cut down all the trees that were there," Johnson said.
Across the street, developer Trammell Crow Residential (TCR) is building condos. Johnson said since construction started a little over two months ago, he's had almost no business because it's impacting access.
"We've had to take out personal loans and business loans just to pay our rent, essentially," Johnson said. "So we've lost tens of thousands of dollars over the last few months just because people cannot physically get to us."
Johnson said after speaking with the city of Austin multiple times almost two weeks ago, the city required the developer to have someone directing traffic. But it isn't helping.
"Every time we've gone and checked, they've got something closed off. They've got heavy machinery moving," Johnson said.
In a statement, a Trammell Crow Residential spokesperson wrote:
"We understand certain businesses feel particularly impacted by the project. The City of Austin has required extensive work associated with it, including a replacement of utilities and a newly paved road. We are adhering to the city-approved road closure protocols, ensuring that all businesses are always accessible, and aiming to complete the work as quickly and safely as possible."
Enzo said he just wants some kind of compensation for the loss of clientele to pay rent.
"We're just trying to figure out how we can pay our rent, essentially," Johnson said. "If there's any form of compensation, either through the city who grants these permits or from Crow Holdings directly, who's, I believe, a $30 billion company at this point. You know, because they're just destroying local businesses like mine in their process to make a quick buck."
This will be a long process. TCR told KVUE it agreed to buy some signage for Living in Stereo. Before KVUE got involved, Johnson said it was unclear if he was going to see those signs, but after KVUE spoke with the developer, TCR paid for and picked up the signs Enzo ordered. The developer said the signs will be put up on Wednesday.
Johnson said he feels like the city is not doing enough to make sure small businesses survive this boom in growth.
"It's sad to say: I feel like they're really working against small businesses, and I just don't feel any support coming from either, you know, local or from the state government," Johnson said.
Johnson said he isn't sure if his business will make it pass the summer.
KVUE reached out for a comment from District 3 Councilmember Jose Velásquez, who represents the area. We have not heard back yet.