SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Thousands of drivers pass billboards on Interstate 690 in Syracuse each day -- and that, Ken Livingston says, is the whole point.
"We know our customers drive the same roads that any consumer does, and we're wholesale and business-to-business, so we wanted to let us customers know as part of an overarching campaign that we're moving," the Johnstone Supply owner said.
Earlier this year, Livingston says he was notified by the state Department of Transportation that they would be taking the building and property through eminent domain. Just last week, the billboard went up, letting their customers know they will soon relocate.
"The state has their reasons for doing their thing. I don't have to like what's going on, but I have to accept what's going on," Livingston said. "I'm ready to move forward; the state makes and offer and we move forward from there."
Come December, Livingston says they'll be forced to move all of their inventory and products to 835 Canal Street.
"We plan on moving about a block away," he continued. "We've been working with the architect and the owner of the building to refurbish to existing space for its use."
DOT spokeperson Gary Holmes tells us the properly is being "being acquired as part of the I-690 over Teall and Beech Streets improvement project. The acquisition is being done under a transparent process prescribed under both state and federal law.
"The property owner has been offered fair market value for the property, as determined by an independent, licensed appraiser, and DOT will assist the company in relocating."
The company plans to move before the end of the year.