More than 200 artists are being evicted from the EMF building in Central Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Jonathan Taft says they got a notice a few weeks ago without a reason.
“Some explanation is better than none, just tell us,” Taft says.
Taft is used to being in control at his studio but says he's now preparing to possibly let this all go.
“I pretty much sat here and sobbed,” says Taft.
Since receiving the notice, the artists have mobilized and reached out to Cambridge city leaders for help.
“The city will be going in doing their own inspection and assessment of what the building needs," Mayor Marc McGovern said.
U.S. & World
He says the city is now trying to take over the building's lease and keep it affordable.
“I really want to thank Mr. Digiovani for being willing to sit at the table with us,” Mayor McGovern said.
EMF's owner is John Digiovani of Trinity Property Management. The developer with multiple buildings in Harvard Square, including 'the garage,' did not return any of NBC10 Boston's calls for comment.
“The rents are going up, the owners want to make more money,” says City Councilor Quinton Zondervan.
He says the artists are a vital part of Central Square's identity, an area already feeling the effects of gentrification from nearby tech start-ups.
“We can’t ditch the creativity, the artists and only focus on the technology, then it becomes soulless,” says Zondervan.
While the negotiations continue, Tafts says the move out date has been pushed back until the end of May, and he hopes this all ends on a high note.
