Renters near Mesa Mormon Temple given notice to move out, as Temple renovation looms

MESA, Ariz. (KSAZ) - The Mormon temple in Mesa, officially known to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as the Mesa Arizona Temple, will be closing its doors on Sunday, as the LDS Church begins major renovations on the property over the next two years.

Part of the re-development will be done on the block west of the temple, and nearly 20 renters in homes owned by the church have been told they need to move out.

Many homes on this street will be torn down as part of the renovations, which means residents have to find a new place to live by July.

"It's an old historic house, but it has that charm, and we said 'OK, this is nice, this is cool and it's a nice little house,'" said Frank Ortega. "We were going to stay here for years, and evidently we're not."

Ortega started renting the historic home nine months ago. He was told during a neighborhood meeting he would have to leave his home by July.

"Half of us kind of -- our mouths dropped to the floor," said Ortega. "Some people had children who are registered in schools and charter schools, and so, there is a lot of concern."

City Creek Reserve, a real estate investment affiliate of the church, gave notice last week that the lease will not be extended past mid-July. The group says they have seven nearby vacant units held for the tenants.

One neighbor told FOX 10's Courtney Griffin she is moving into one, but Ortega says he hadn't heard about that option, and he can't find much else that is available in his price range to rent.

And then, there's the concern of moving during the summer heat.

"I don't want to move in to some place I'm not gonna be happy with," said Ortega. "This is really short notice, especially in June, and I said can I get any help with the moving cost, and they said no, you're on your own."

The renovation on the Temple will take two years. As for what will go where the historic homes are currently located, that is not unknown.

Neighbors, meanwhile, want more answers.

"One young man said I'm 27years old, my wife and I just move in here a month and a half ago," said Ortega.

Company officials say they have returned security deposits to renters.