Politics & Government

Time For Walden Pond to Pay Up?

The owners of the troubled Walden Pond Mobile Home Park owe the city at least $143,000.

Last year, New Port Richey spent a considerable amount of taxpayer money to address problems at Walden Pond Mobile Home Park.

Now, city leaders are considering entering the process that will enable it to recover the costs. Staff intends to ask the council during its May 7 meeting to schedule a public hearing during which the city will consider imposing a lien on the Walden Pond property.  

That hearing would take place sometime in June.

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Walden Pond, LLC, owes the city more than $143,000, according to city officials. That figure includes the costs of demolition, cleanup, administrative services and attorney fees. It also includes fines for months of unpaid utility bills.

The privately owned Walden Pond Mobile Home Park has been a problem property for the city for a while. This past summer, the mobile home park's owners told residents the park was closing and that residents needed to leave the property, but the owners failed to follow legal guidelines for eviction. Since then, some residents have left. Some have stayed behind.

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Also left behind were vacant trailers and trash. Stripping of the trailers became an issue. Some trailers collapsed.

The city council decided in October to pass an emergency resolution condemning some of the crumbling trailers. They then agreed to have the city pay a contractor to get rid of more than 50 condemned trailers and clean up.

At the proposed June hearing, city officials can decide if they want to charge Walden Pond’s owners for the updated costs against the real property. If they do, the cost assessment becomes a lien. 

Tuesday's meeting starts at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 5919 Main St.

Do you think the city should put a lien on the property? Share your thoughts by commenting below!

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