Burnt Ramen Punk House Residents Thought City of Richmond Would Help. Instead, They Got Evicted.
After more than a week of frantically calling lawyers and building code experts, installing fire extinguishers, and making renovations — all while still grieving friends lost and injured in the Ghost Ship fire — Burnt Ramen's tenants felt defeated this past Friday: The city of Richmond "red tagged" the underground punk venue and living space, which meant all residents would need to move out immediately.
Those who lived in the space, some for more than a decade, felt that the city didn't hold up its end of the bargain. "They came in here solely with the intent to shut the place down," said Burnt Ramen tenant Brandon Bailey. "We decided to be friendly and let them in, because we were assuming that that's how they were going to be."
In a conversation with the Express prior to the inspection, Richmond Mayor Tom Butt certainly gave the impression that the city's visit would be amicable. "The city does not necessarily come in, find a property that's got some current issues, and just shut them down," he said. "The more typical thing is to meet with the owner, and say ... 'We want to work with you. ... We're not trying to ruin your life."
But that's exactly what happened on December 16.
Mike Malin, a.k.a. Mykee Ramen, owner of the space, said on Friday that he planned to sleep in his van after the red-tagging of his home of 18 years. Other tenants dispersed throughout the Bay Area to sleep on couches and floors where they'd been granted temporary refuge.
Read more: http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/burnt-ramen-punk-house-residents-thought-city-of-richmond-would-help-instead-they-got-evicted/Content?oid=5064033