Business forced to relocate to make room for Loop 88

LUBBOCK COUNTY, TX (KCBD) - Recently, businesses along the planned route for the new outer loop received 90-day notices to vacate their properties.

The state has purchased the locations to make way for the new route, and while this isn't a surprise, it's still upsetting for local business owners.

"I think the first time we heard about this it was a punch in the gut," Ryan Sanders, President of BuildRite Construction, said. "We have to move and you are kind of getting kicked out of your home or business."

That's the way many business owners felt when they received their 90-day notice to vacate their premises.

"We've spent a lot of blood sweat and tears into this office," Sanders said.

He's been at his location near the interstate for almost three years and never expected this to be his future.

"I figured Lubbock would expand and this would be happening," Sanders said. "I just thought it would be further south like 1585 and Woodrow Road where there's a lot of fields rather than businesses."

Sanders attended several meetings with the state and saw that renderings of Loop 88 put his business right in the middle.

"We pretty much knew from the beginning, but I don't think that the state is out to ruin anyone's life," he said. "I think that they're here to expand the city so it's just kind of what has to happen."

Sanders says the state is helping business owners with the move, paying for the property and relocation fees.

"It's not going to be an easy process, it's going to take time. It's going to take time to build a new building, and it's going to take time buy new land," Sanders said. "It is an inconvenience, but what can you do about it since it's been voted on? It's done. It's going to happen so you just suck it up."

The state will take over the properties on Oct. 24 so the outer loop construction can begin.

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