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Tensions are flaring between the owner and residents of new lofts in the Higgins Building, one of downtown's most storied conversions. The Higgins opened at 2nd and Main in 1910 and became the headquarters of Socialist lawyer Job Harriman, founder of the Llano del Rio colony out in the desert. Clarence Darrow kept offices in the Higgins for a spell. The Downtown News details a nasty spat over complaints by residents that owner Barry Shy has lied about amenities and threatened eviction if they don't sign a paper promising to buy their units at inflated prices. Shy says someone has forged his name on a document, and it goes from there. The piece is by Jason Mandell, recently named the paper's city editor.
Also in the DT News: There's a feature on the Saturday night "neon tours" led by Eric Lynxwiler for the downtown Museum of Neon Art. And Arco Plaza is being renamed after its new biggest tenant, City National Bank.