‘If I have to move, it's finished': This San Francisco steel worker may lose his 23-year-old business because the State of California has evicted him — in response to a fire in another city

Leases were reviewed based on new safety policies. Either non-renewal or eviction notices were handed out if the buildings didn't meet the new policy changes.

“At my age, if I have to move, it's finished,” Kevin Barry, who claimed he was informed his steel-fabrication business will most likely have to shut down, told CBS News Bay Area reporters.

So what happened?

Caltrans had been reviewing their Airspace Lease program in response to a November 2023 fire under Interstate 10 in Los Angeles.

The program leases space to businesses under bridge structures and viaducts, within a state highway right of way (owned by Caltrans).

The internal review has led to changes that limit which businesses can operate in affected areas. Caltrans has also imposed additional safety standards for existing businesses.

Many businesses have been affected by these changes, hence the eviction or non-renewal notices.

Barry said he was told that the materials he uses, as well as other operational processes, pose huge safety risks.

It does appear that Caltrans is willing to work with tenants, stating in the notice that it “has developed a process to permit exceptions to the policy that continue to maintain the safety/operational standards to support the state highway system.”

Barry’s original moving deadline was March 31, but Caltrans has given him an extension, though he said it’s unclear how long.