This house/restaurant was in the middle of the proposed site of a sprawling six-storey shopping mall. While 280 neighbouring families accepted the government’s payout and agreed to leave in 2004, Mr. Yang and Ms. Wu held out.
Developers cut their power and water, and excavated a 10-metre deep pit around their home, which the family had inhabited for three generations.
The owners broke into the construction site, reoccupied it, and flew a Chinese flag on top. Mr. Yang, a local martial arts champion, also threatened to beat any official who attempted to evict him.
“We shall not move. We will live and die with the house!” he shouted from the roof.
After protracted negotiations with the developers, they reportedly settled in 2007 for one million yuan ($166,000), plus a new apartment.
Happens everywhere. Years ago a grocery store being built in my neighborhood had this happen. They purchased homes to make the parking lot but one owner refused to sell at 3x over value. Got built regardless with this stubborn guys house sitting in the parking lot. Looked funny, also killed his property value and sits abandoned after he died.
This isn’t an evil building, this is an absolute mad lad’s building. God bless you Mr. Yang for fending off those construction workers for 3 solid years.
sizeable_interest on August 17th, 2019 at 23:46 UTC »
This house/restaurant was in the middle of the proposed site of a sprawling six-storey shopping mall. While 280 neighbouring families accepted the government’s payout and agreed to leave in 2004, Mr. Yang and Ms. Wu held out.
Developers cut their power and water, and excavated a 10-metre deep pit around their home, which the family had inhabited for three generations.
The owners broke into the construction site, reoccupied it, and flew a Chinese flag on top. Mr. Yang, a local martial arts champion, also threatened to beat any official who attempted to evict him.
“We shall not move. We will live and die with the house!” he shouted from the roof.
After protracted negotiations with the developers, they reportedly settled in 2007 for one million yuan ($166,000), plus a new apartment.
RentAscout on August 17th, 2019 at 23:53 UTC »
Happens everywhere. Years ago a grocery store being built in my neighborhood had this happen. They purchased homes to make the parking lot but one owner refused to sell at 3x over value. Got built regardless with this stubborn guys house sitting in the parking lot. Looked funny, also killed his property value and sits abandoned after he died.
kushii_ on August 17th, 2019 at 23:54 UTC »
This isn’t an evil building, this is an absolute mad lad’s building. God bless you Mr. Yang for fending off those construction workers for 3 solid years.