SCHOFIELD, WI (WSAU) — It’s the end of the line for the Hidden Lakes Estates Mobile Home Park in Schofield.
The long-troubled venue will officially be closed on November 8th by the order of Marathon County Judge Michael Moran, meaning residents will have to be out this weekend. Mayor Kregg Hoehn says at this point what happens to those at the facility is really between the owners, Wyoming-based Sustainable Resources, and the residents.
“The Judge gave a date for the owners to remove the people that were living there since they are no longer legally a trailer park and to clean up the area,” said Hoehn. “Well, they haven’t done anything yet so come the date [November 8th] I can’t imagine they are going to step up and fulfill what the judge has asked.”
The city doesn’t have a record of which units are occupied and which ones are vacant. Hoehn says that was required to be turned over to the city as part of the park’s 2019 license to operate, but not fulfilled. That’s one in a line of promises and obligations by Sustainable Resources that haven’t been kept.
The company failed to apply for operating licenses in 2020 and 2021 and has also left tax and utility bills unpaid on more than one occasion. Additionally, multiple code violations with the park and some of its units have gone untouched.
Reports from the last few weeks have indicated that many residents have moved out in preparation for November’s decision but as many as a dozen residents were still living in their homes as of mid-September. There have also been reports of squatters coming in and taking over vacant homes.
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Hoehn adds that the city does have resources available for any residents that are left including a listing of rentals in the area in a variety of price ranges. They also have information on how they can apply for assistance from the county for a deposit and first month’s rent on a new home.
“I hope they are taking into consideration the fact that there is help out there,” said Hoehn.
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Moran’s decision does not give the city the right to take over the property. The facility on Grand Avenue will remain under the ownership of Sustainable Resources though the group will not be able to operate it as a mobile home park since they have failed to obtain a license.
Should Sustainable Resources fail to stay current on property taxes for the land, it could be taken over by the county.
