As plans move forward to build a mega-mall and hotel called I-Square on International Drive, current tenants are voicing valid concerns.
Those current tenants at the site say they are concerned about the future of their businesses. Some wonder what they will do during the two-year construction period.
Shop owner, Mauro Morelli told News 13 that while he did hear the project was a possibility, he didn't know the plans had been approved by Orlando city leaders.
Morelli's store is one of many that sit on the same site as the future 27-story hotel and shopping mall complex. Each of the stores and shops will have to move when the current strip mall is demolished to make way for I-Square.
“We don’t know what we are going to do,” says Morelli.
He is not alone. Rafelo Quendo owns the Scratch the Surface tattoo parlor in the same strip mall. He says he has not heard any official statement about the project from the property owner and developer Abdul Mathin.
But, Mathin tells News 13 he plans to assist tenants with a valid lease with temporary accommodations during the construction, (of I-Square)", and he says he plans to honor the longevity of their lease in a new unit when I-Square is completed.