AMMAN - An article in the Landlords and Tenants Law is threatening to change the face of old Amman as many of its shops and outlets might close down when their keepers are forced by the law to evict the decades-old places.

Lawmakers in 2010 endorsed amendments to the law postponing for one year (until the end of this year) the implementation of a controversial article, which stipulates some of the tenants should evacuate rented properties or renew lease contracts on December 31, 2010.

Several downtown merchants say that the substantial raise in lease contracts ensuing from the newest version of the law is giving them two options: either to renew the contracts according to the terms of landlords, or simply leave. For Abu Rajai, who rented his shop in 1967, he will take the second choice.

“In the early days, I used to earn sufficient profits from the shop, but the situation is different today as most people turned to west Amman and our business has wilted,” Abu Rajai said, noting that he decided to leave his shoe shop soon because of the high rent as it increased from JD635 to JD2,280.

George Kishak, another trader on Basman Street, pointed out that he cannot afford to buy new goods to sell at his watch shops since the new lease contract does not enable him to maintain the current level of revenues.

According to Saadi Ahmad, an employee at Handal accessories shop, the outlet “is almost deserted” after it was “the main stop for all-women shopping”.

“The rent rate increased from JD1,200 to JD5,500 a year. All revenues go to cover the rent,” Ahmad said, noting that they used to pay JD125 a year when they first rented the shop 60 years ago.

The concerns do not stop at the shopkeepers’ inability to make ends meet. Some warn that the identity of old Amman will change if more and more storekeepers face the destiny of Abu Rajai.

Hassan Abu Ali, the decorated cultural figure who owns a famous book kiosk on Faisal Street, pointed out that with slow business, coupled with surging lease rates, there is a risk that the place will be rendered “spiritless”.

“Some of the oldest merchants have started leaving the area. I will miss my lifelong neighbours,” Abu Ali said.

People will also miss the good old times and cherished memories that come alive when they visit downtown Amman today and meet some old merchants or their offspring running the same stores that have once been icons of luxury and new trends.

“People reminisce when they visit these old shops,” said the bookseller, who has been working in the city centre for more than 40 years.

Nabeel Shocair, one of the oldest barbers in the area, explained that his neighbours, who were some of the oldest merchants in downtown Amman, started closing their shops as they could not manage to adapt with the new overheads.

For Riad Assali, one of the oldest tailors in the neighbourhood, the expected change will bring an end to the history of downtown Amman as we know it.

“Downtown Amman and its merchants are the body and the soul of the capital. Today, the area’s heritage will go with the wind,” Assali said.

For others, the issue is about rectifying a wrong situation.

Landlords say that justice is finally served with the new law.

Azad Kurdi, an owner of several shops in downtown Amman, said he used to earn JD400 annually from the rents of all the outlets.

“These traders earned good profits in the past and now it’s our turn to make some money from our investment,” Kurdi pointed out, adding that the law is fair enough for the parties, merchants and owners.

Hassan Mango, one of the Souk Mango’s heirs, told The Jordan Times over the phone that the value of the Jordanian dinar depreciated over the years, but he acknowledged that the new rates will pose a real challenge for the old tenants.

“My partners and I are thinking of offering acceptable rates to merchants,” he added.

Some people believe that there is no fear of losing the area’s identity and heritage as every generation has their own heritage and stories to tell.

Akef Qusous, the Jabal Amman Residents Association’s executive director, explained that downtown Amman reflects a different identity and heritage in every century.

“Our generation have their own memories with downtown Amman. Today, the area has witnessed a lot of renovations, so in the future the city centre will reflect a different history and heritage, which will be related with the new generations,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone yesterday.

A lawmaker suggests a middle way.

“I am against the eviction provision. I suggest that the law stipulate a fair raise to existing contracts,” MP Mamdouh Abbadi (Amman, 3rd District) pointed out.

The controversy is likely to live on, but both the tenants and the landlords believe that after December 31, 2011, the old part of the city will be a different place.

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