Businesses in downtown St. Paul’s Alliance Bank Building are being forced to move out by Monday.

As reported by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS a few weeks ago, tenants received a letter from Madison Equities, the management company, saying they must vacate by Monday.

The company explained it could no longer afford to keep the building open because of “significant financial hardships due to the deteriorating condition of downtown St. Paul.” Madison Equities told tenants in an email to pack up and move out because utilities would be shut off.

Tenants have told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS it’s been an emotional rollercoaster, and they’re frustrated with a lack of accountability.

Kari Flaherty and her husband Jim have owned Allegra, a printing company in the building, for nearly two decades. The couple is moving their company to White Bear Lake.

“Hectic,” Kari Flaherty said. “Scary. Slightly exciting and honestly bittersweet.”

The city of St. Paul is helping some businesses in the building find a different location downtown.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS reached out to Madison Equities but never heard back.

Mayor Melvin Carter called the situation “frustrating and unreasonable,” and the city negotiated with utility companies to keep the lights on until the end of March.

RELATED: St. Paul mayor stepping in to help tenants at Alliance Bank Center after being told to vacate

Last year, Madison Equities was at the center of another controversy. A very similar situation occurred at the Lowry Apartment building, where poor living conditions were reported inside. That resulted in the building being transferred to temporary ownership.

Lowy residents were eventually displaced after months of failed safety inspections led to the building being condemned.

RELATED: ‘Rodents, insects and feces’ just some of what St. Paul mayor found in downtown apartment building I ‘Some of the most disgusting conditions I’ve ever seen’: St. Payl mayor condemns owner of Lowry Apartments I Judge orders management responsibilities to be temporarily removed from owner of Lowry Apartment building I Lowry Apartments in St. Paul fails another safety inspection I Residents at the troubled Lowry Apartments say the building’s heat has been out since October

This comes as downtown St. Paul is also expecting thousands of state and city workers to return to the office. Gov. Tim Walz announced just last week that state workers must work in person at least half the month starting June 1.

Starting Tuesday, St. Paul city workers will also have to work at least three days each week at the office after an order made last year by Mayor Carter.

RELATED: Workers to return to downtown St. Paul under new state policy I Government workers push back on Walz’s return-to-office mandate I Gov. Walz: State employees required to work in-person for at least half of scheduled workdays

Madison Equities hasn’t responded to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS’ request for comment.

Check back for updates.