Craven County Takes Action to Improve Dilapidated Mobile Home Park in Bridgeton

Photo byCaramia Valentin

Bridgeton, NC — After years of complaints and failed attempts to bring Sandy Ridge Mobile Home Park into compliance, Craven County officials are stepping in with significant improvements. The Craven County Board of Commissioners approved a budget amendment to remove additional abandoned units from the park, marking the latest in a series of efforts to address the property's unsafe and deteriorating conditions.

In January 2022, the Craven County Superior Court issued a default judgment of $435,600 against the park’s owners, William and Margaret Butler, paving the way for the county to take corrective actions. According to Chad Strawn, Craven County Planning Director, the county had been working for years to resolve various issues but was ultimately forced to file a lawsuit due to non-compliance with the county's manufactured home park ordinance.

Long-Standing Issues Addressed

The court's judgment mandated critical improvements, including the removal of trash, the rehabilitation of roads, and the elimination of condemned structures. "Sandy Ridge Mobile Home Park is a private property issue that the county has had to get involved in," Strawn said, emphasizing the owners’ ongoing inability to comply with county regulations.

One of the most immediate concerns was the entrance road, which was riddled with deep potholes, preventing essential services like school buses, emergency responders, and even postal services from accessing the park. In February 2022, county commissioners allocated $92,576 to pave the road, alleviating one of the community’s most urgent issues.

Removal of Abandoned Units

The county identified 24 dilapidated, abandoned units in Sandy Ridge that posed serious safety and health risks to residents. Units were found without windows, doors, power, or water, and insulation and debris from the vacant homes littered the area. Strawn highlighted the heartbreaking contrast between the neglected units and the pride that some residents took in maintaining their homes.

In December 2023, the county began removing these units after waiting 30 days for any claims. The removal process, which included cleaning up garbage, leveling the lots, and minor landscaping, came at a cost of about $175,000, leaving $25,000 of the $200,000 budget for additional removals.

At a recent board meeting, county commissioners approved further budget adjustments to remove three additional abandoned units that have since been identified. Staffing is currently reviewing bids for this removal.

Future of Sandy Ridge Mobile Home Park

A judgment prohibiting the owners from bringing in any new units until they demonstrate a responsible management plan remains in effect. Additionally, a lien of approximately $290,000, representing the county’s expenses for park improvements, will be placed on the property. Should the owners repay the lien, they may regain control of the property, but only after presenting a viable management plan.

"The goal is to ensure that Sandy Ridge can eventually operate responsibly as a mobile home park," said Strawn. "Residents deserve better, and we’re committed to making sure that happens."

The owners of Sandy Ridge have yet to respond to requests for comment.