STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU-WAOW) — A dozen homes are being demolished at the Four Seasons Community mobile home park in Stevens Point after they were deemed unsafe or structurally unsound by city officials.
The mobile home park has faced many issues over the years, with tenants saying it started in 2017 when Christopher Reeves took ownership of the property.
“We have been abandoned by the owner, we have had to deal with squatters who have threatened us physically, mentally, and emotionally,” Shelly Burns told WAOW-TV.
Burns has been a resident of Four Seasons for over seven years. She said the trailer park was once home to 72 people, now that number has dwindled to 24.
She claims they have faced threats of water shutoff, unjust eviction notices, and a complete lack of communication and property management.
Burns said these issues drove away many residents, which led to property abandonment. “I feel like this is more traumatic, chronic, crises that don’t seem to end.” said Burns.
Burns said the residents who remain are stuck. “Three quarters of us are elderly and or disabled, on fixed income so we really have no recourse at this point in time.” said Burns.
Her own trailer is from 1969 and was deemed unmovable.
The city of Stevens Point only had to get involved a handful of times. Mayor Mike Wiza said they just want to help, but can only do so to a certain extent. “I wish there was more we could do, but we have to follow the law just like everyone else, and we have public safety as the number one priority.”
Demolition of the unsafe homes began last week. It is unclear what will happen to the rest of the people living in the park. The owner has not responded to requests for comment.
Reeves also owns the Hidden Lakes Estates mobile home park in Schofield, where residents were recently evicted after the park went two years without an operating license. That property is now closed, though Reeves still owns the land.
