WPTV, West Palm Beach, tells MHProNews that residents have mixed feelings, but some say they knew this day would come. The demolition of an historic boathouse on the waterfront property is the first phase. It will start in April.
Thirty years ago Arlene Mele fell in love with Suni Sands Park. Before moving to her manufactured home, she lived at the boathouse for two years. “I have to say it’s been paradise,” she said. Every morning she said she has coffee on the patio, enjoys gardening, and taking walks along the river.
“I feed the fish. Whatever I have left over like bread I just put it out there and they come flying. I get a kick out of that,” she explained. Unfortunately, on Friday, February 20, Mele learned this tropical lifestyle has an expiration date. “We always sort of had it in the back of our minds that this is too good to be true,” she explained. Eviction notices were posted on 100 homes Friday.
“This is not taken lightly. So for the next 12 months my process is to be certain every single person is not left in the dark,” said Steven Burns, General Manager of Suni Sands. Burns says the owner of the property, Charles Modica, gave a specific mandate to take care of all residents affected. Residents have the option to leave by August or stay until April 2016. Burns also says he is networking with other local manufactured home parks to help some residents relocate.
“The developer owns the property, and he can do what he wants with it. The thing that really annoys me is that the city has been trying to get us pushed out of here for years,” said Tom Ryan, a resident of Suni Sands since 2002.
Ryan, like most residents, doesn’t know exactly where he’ll move to next. He has enjoyed the waterfront views from his porch. His dog Jake takes afternoon swims every day, and Ryan hasn’t broken the news to him yet. ##
(Photo Credit: Suni Sands)
Article submitted by Sandra Lane to – Daily Business News – MHProNews
