By Sue Bergstrom for Valdez City News –
The rumors were flying fast and furious last week. Social media was full of people wanting to know what’s going on at Aleutian Village Mobile Home Park. Some said that they had heard that everyone had to be off the property by December, 2015. Some said it was December, 2016, or that they’d heard it was a year from the date on the notice. Still others said that was a just a rumor, that the park had many tenants who were behind on their lot rent and they were being evicted. Some said North Pacific Rim had bought it for low income housing. Others said Aleut Corporation was going to build houses on it. Was there a letter in the mail? Had anyone gotten one? Who owns the property anyway? Has the park changed hands? Things are slowly becoming clearer. But many people are still confused.
Here’s some information.
• The City of Valdez confirmed that Aleut Real Estate pays the property taxes on that location.
• The City could not ascertain who owned the land.
• Melvin Smith, General Manager of Aleut Real Estate, LLC provided a copy of the letter sent to Aleutian Village tenants but otherwise declined to comment on the subject. The letter states, in essence, that Aleut Real Estate, LLC intends to close the mobile home park and that tenants have until August of 2016 to vacate. (Notice to Vacate)
• The City of Valdez scheduled a meeting for tenants and concerned citizens with City Manager, Bob Jean on Wednesday, September 16 at 7:00 pm. He will take their questions, concerns and suggestions to the City Council at an upcoming work session. (link to notice)
It’s understandable that the citizens of Valdez are concerned about this turn of events. Relocating between sixty and seventy families is a large undertaking that involves a good portion of the population. Many of the mobile homes in Aleutian Village have been there for over twenty-five years. Some of them are likely not in good enough shape to survive being moved. Landlords who own some of them will be left without that rental income and responsible for moving the mobile homes; some more than one. All this effects the local economy and disrupts people’s lives.
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When tenants and concerned citizens met on Wednesday, lots of issues came up, not all directly related to what’s next. People were angry and shocked. Tenant complaints about conditions and management of the property were aired. They were concerned about being left in the dark and asked for transparency, specific information and representation as the situation evolves. But the tenants also seem committed to finding a way to help themselves. It was suggested that a cooperative effort be made to find an entity willing to take over the property and continue to run the mobile home court. Whether or not this is a viable option remains to be seen. City Manager Jean will present Valdez City Council members with the concerns, questions and ideas expressed at the meeting at a public work session on Monday, September 21st. (link to notice)
