The city of Pelham, Alabama wants to close the Belle Vista Mobile Home Park it purchased for $3.1 million and re-purpose it as an expansion of Pelham City Park with greenways and trails, according to what al.com informs MHProNews. While residents of the 137 site manufactured home community (MHC) have known for some time the city has long intended to close the community, many were shocked it may happen next summer, as a resolution is before the city council to not extend leases on homes in the community beyond July, 2015.
Over 140 residents have signed petitions asking for the community to remain open longer, so families can plan better. They’re organizing a march to city hall Monday, Oct. 20, right before the council is slated to vote on the resolution. The community is in a flood-prone area, and Council President Rick Hayes says, “We all know we do not have the option to continue to maintain that facility. Belle Vista was purchased for park development. The intent of that was to expand the park and redevelop that area.”
Knowing that many families do not have the resources to move their homes – and apartments would cost more than their current site rent – Hayes says he wants the city to help as much as possible. “This is something that everybody knew (would happen) when the purchase was first announced,” he added. As MHProNews knows,
Alabama ranks number five in MH shipments, and is home to a number of MH producers. ##
(Photo credit: Martin J. Reed/al.com)
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