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PORT RICHEY — The first hint that Margaret Worden and her neighbors might be evicted came from the public meeting sign posted at the Port Richey Mobile Home Park.
The sign appeared a few days ago. Worden, a seven-year resident at the park at U.S. 19 and Grand Boulevard, started asking around. She learned a developer plans to raze the mobile home park and build a hotel, retail center and restaurant.
Now, Worden, 66, and other residents are wondering where they'll go if the Port Richey City Council approves the developer's site plan Nov. 11. By law, they must get six months' notice to leave.
Worden, like 17 other residents at the park, owns her mobile home and could relocate it — although some of the units are so old, they could prove difficult to move.
Another 28 units are occupied by renters.
"If it's a bluff, I want to fight it," said Worden. "I'm a feisty old bird. If it's not a bluff, I'll wait it out."
The 4.92-acre park is owned by Ron Asmar of Treasure Coast Properties LLC, based in Southfield, Mich. The park is worth $2-million for tax purposes, according to the county Property Appraiser's Office.
The site plan was first pitched to the city Building Department in 2006, said Ed Winch, city building official, but the developer's plans didn't gain momentum until this year.
The development calls for an 89,655-square-foot hotel, 18,300 square feet of retail space, a 6,446-square-foot restaurant and 282 parking spots. It is projected to employ about 60 people.
Forty-six of the 75 lots at the park are occupied, said David Browne, the property's manager. Browne, 29, who also owns a mobile home, said he is still signing six-month leases for tenants. One-year leases haven't been available since 2005, he said, in anticipation of the park being redeveloped.
He said those who own their mobile homes pay about $258 per month to lease the land underneath, while renters pay about $500 a month, depending on the size of the unit.
Like Worden, who is Browne's mother, Browne is trying to figure out where to move his mobile home — which was built in 1963 — if he receives a notice to vacate.
"I'm keeping my eyes and ears open for a good piece of property to move my trailer to within a 50-mile radius," Browne said. "I'm playing it by ear."
Janet Garrett, executive director of the Tallahassee-based Florida Mobile Home Relocation Corporation, said it's up to mobile home movers to decide if a unit is too old to move.
"The standard year is 1984, but installers have moved one (mobile home) back to 1968," she said. "It depends on the condition of the home itself."
City Council member Perry Bean said he supports redeveloping the park, just north of the Pithlachascotee River.
"Anyone would agree that it's a significant improvement over a trailer park," Bean said of the proposed development. "We just have to figure out if these grand plans are going to fit in this space."
On Wednesday afternoon, Sharon Hosier stood outside her mobile home, wondering where she'd move if she had to go.
Hosier, 43, her husband and two sons moved into a rental unit just three weeks ago. Then they found out from neighbors about the proposed development.
"I'm upset, because it's not right," Hosier said. "They should let us stay here."
Camille C. Spencer can be reached at cspencer@sptimes.com or (727) 869-6229.
[Last modified: Oct 17, 2008 05:14 PM]
Comments on this article
by Alan
Oct 17, 2008 5:14 PM
Gulfview mall is not Port richey. Jasmine is not Port richey. Ranch rd is not Port richey. Those hotels on 19 are not Port richey. They are all unincorp Pasco. Sorry Todd but you dont know what you are talking about. Call PR city hall and you'll see.
by Sara
Oct 17, 2008 5:13 PM
Todd, you're wrong. Those places may have a Port Richey mailing address but they are not in the city limits. Do your homework. The housing is low priced due to economic conditions, not affordable because it's low income housing. No contradiction here
by Sara
Oct 17, 2008 5:06 PM
Robert is totally wrong in his assumption that the property is zoned for mobile homes. It is zoned C-3 commercial. Once the current business license is vacated, no one may operate a mobile home park or any other residential on this land. Look it up.
by Todd
Oct 17, 2008 11:43 AM
"PR has an extremely high number of vacant homes at bargain basement prices".. Then turn around and say "PR is a terrible location for "affordable housing".... Which is it? Bargain prices (Affordable) or Terrible location (Not Affordable).
by Todd
Oct 17, 2008 11:43 AM
Sara, I think you think Port Richey is smaller then it is. It runs from the river all the way past Ranch Rd. There has been a new hotel built (Jasmine & 19). And 2 more news ones just onto Hudson on US 19. And you contracdict yourself. you say.....
by Robert
Oct 17, 2008 11:43 AM
The owner can do whatever he wants with his property so long as he doesn't harm other people doing it. Booting people out of their paid for homes certainly harms them. If the property is zoned for mobile homes you can fight for more help moving.
by Robert
Oct 17, 2008 11:43 AM
Some resources for mobile home owners in closing parks are available at http://www.corallakemhp.com you need to know the current zoning, comprehensive plan and future land use plan is to fight step by step to appeal to the Dept of Community Affairs.
by Sara
Oct 16, 2008 5:09 PM
As for "affordable housing", PR has an extremely high number of vacant homes at bargain basement prices. Combined with the highest insurance rates in FL & high % of expensive residential waterfront, PR is a terrible location for "affordable housing".
by Sara
Oct 16, 2008 4:50 PM
Rick, I think you think Port Richey is bigger than it actually is. The limits only go from the river to Red Lobster. There are no hotels. This land is privately owned. If the owner follows the rules, he can do whatever he wants with his property.
by Jerry
Oct 16, 2008 11:35 AM
It may be my imagination but it seems that more and more "trailer parks" are being targeted for "development". Naturally local gov'ts approve this because they get a LOT more revenue from big developers. BUT mobile home owners are voters too!!!
by Rick
Oct 16, 2008 11:35 AM
We don't need a hotel in Port Richey, or retail space, there are plenty of hotel rooms, and empty commercial/retail spacees, but not that much affordable housing. Let the people stay at LEAST until this "recession" is over.
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