Battle over Z'Tejas opening in Phoenix continues

Z'Tejas has just about everything it needs to break ground on the southwest corner of 16th Street and Bethany Home.

They have the City of Phoenix conditional approval on applications for outdoor dining and alcohol sales. But the project is on hold until at least March 1 while parking spot issues are worked out.

Zipps Sports Grill is located in the same complex where Z'Tejas wants to build and has been viewed by many as the lone opposition and they say that's not true.

"All of the tenants in this center are opposed to this," said Todd Goldman with Zipps. "Just like the neighborhood, which will be dealing with increased traffic."

Goldman said the restaurant has no problem with Z'Tejas the two could easily co-exist, but there simply isn't enough room for parking.

Goldman said Zipps negotiated a lease for two years with parking protection and he casts blame on the property landlord.

"The landlord has total disregard for us, the lease and the center's other tenants and thought they could rollover anyone that got in the way," he said.

Goldman said Zipps was drawn to 16th Street and Bethany because there was some parking available and that complex's parking lot is already full at least two nights a week without Z'Tejas being there. If the restaurant gets the greenlight he says the parking would be a nightmare.

"A lot of the other tenants would pay a big price," said Goldman. "We want the city to uphold the codes."

When asked if Zipps would leave the center should Z'Tejas move in, Goldman said that is a stretch.

"We have a substantial investment and that's unlikely," he said. "[Z'Tejas] has been bragging about the 3 million dollar building and the 100 jobs and that means you'll have 20-25 employees on shift that need to park and the restaurant could seat 300."