FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — One of the last businesses standing on Blackstone and McKinley is now being forced to close its doors.

This comes as the city makes way for the grade separation project, leaving several businesses to close under eminent domain.

The grade separation project will essentially take out at-grade crossings by separating train traffic from cars and people on Blackstone and McKinley Avenues.

The owner, however, claims the city did not offer what his business is worth.

The city says they initially reached out in 2022 with an offer.

4 years later, negotiations continue while the city makes plans for the grade separation project.

City leaders say this project is crucial for safety at the busy intersection.

While the business owner understands the importance of the project, he is demanding a fair offer.

For over a decade, Harmon and his family have run the liquor store on Blackstone and McKinley.

Despite experiencing nearby blazes and break-ins the last few weeks, he’s remained committed to keeping his doors open.

“I stay up at night and watch the live feed for my business. It was a run-down place, and he brought it up, and he made a lot of strides here. This gas station, this business, we grew with it. It grew with us,” said Harmon Dhillon, owner of Star Mart.

Now, in less than two weeks, Harmon will be forced to close his doors to make way for the city’s grade separation project.

City officials say safety is the driving force behind the project.

“We’ve had four people killed at that intersection over the last 14 years,” said Georgeanne White, Fresno City Manager.

For the project to come to fruition, about 20 businesses in the area had to close, including Harmon’s.

However, he claims the city is offering him less than half of what his business is worth.

“I understand with eminent domain that it’s a cause that’s necessary for the public, that they’re trying to create the great separation where it’ll make the intersections safer, less traffic, and it’ll be easier to flow. But if that means that you have to force out businesses and give them suboptimal compensation, that is very, very wrong. The discrepancy is enough to cause a catastrophic financial burden on my family,” said Dhillon

The city had this to say.

“Initially, what we offered this business owner was based on thinking a part of the business, the canopy, was his. After the property owner presented information to us, showing that it wasn’t his, we had to reduce that offer back to the business owner because we can only pay for what is part of his business,” said White.

For our accountability question, we asked: How does the city ensure a fair market value?

“We have to get an independent appraiser and we do an appraisal. We present the appraisal.If the property or business owner doesn’t agree with the appraisal, then they are able to get their own appraisal.If we don’t agree and we think it’s too high, obviously, we wouldn’t think it’s too low. And ultimately, if we can’t come to a voluntary agreement, then ultimately the courts decide,” said Harmon.

While a number is still being discussed, Harmon still has to close his business.

“We’re not trying to play hardball and try to gain over fair market value. Fair market is all that I am asking for,” said Dhillon.

Harmon says he has a scheduled court date with the city in July to discuss the offer.

The city says they hope to begin construction on the grade separation project by next year.