Willmar, Minnesota’s City Council, following a preliminary okay for tax abatement for the owner of Regency East Mobile Home Park. The hearing is set for December 1. Passage would mean $2500 a year in abatement for the next 10 years, as an offset for negative cash flow during the planned redevelopment.

WCTrib tells MHProNews that new owner Gus Wurdell’s …“Willmar Redevelopment Company LLC intends to replenish the housing supply with new and late-model manufactured homes with two to four bedrooms. Homes will range in size from 1,200 to 2,000 square feet.” The plan calls for all owner occupied homes that lease their sites.

Improvements planned include electrical service upgrades, parking pad overlays, improved drainage, footings, foundations and freshwater service. Privacy fending, removal of abandoned homes, new play area and soccer field, plus a security system were also part of the plan.

Wurdell said in a letter sent mid-September that Regency East suffered from poor management and deferred maintenance, Those resulted in 75 percent vacancy and blight. After several years of trying to take ownership of the park, Wurdell successfully closed on the property in September after several years trying to buy the community.

Council members discussed the apparent ability and track record of Wurdell’s operation to deliver on its promised improvements, which would improve the looks and livability of the neighborhood.

In a story MHProNews ran in September, residents indicated they appreciate the improvements.  ##

(Editor’s Note: With the number of MHCs that have similar challenges, is what looks to be shaping up in Willmar with private-public cooperation forming to improve this community – is this one possible model for other MHCs?)

(Image credit: Google Earth)