OCTOBER 17, 2000 - Director Kathy Wilbur announced today that the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services has received a plan submitted by Buchanan Mobile Home Park’s attorney detailing how the park will cease operations by January 31, 2001.

CIS had notified Arie Dykstra, d/b/a Buchanan Mobile Home Park, that its 1999-2000 license for 55 sites has expired because he failed to renew it. CIS ordered the owner on Oct. 12 to submit a plan within five days to the agency’s Manufactured Housing & Land Development Division detailing steps that will be taken to cease operations as required by the Michigan Mobile Home Commission Act.

Dykstra’s attorney, Brian A. Nettleingham of Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge, indicated in a letter to CIS that the remaining tenants will be evicted as allowed by law since the mobile home park’s license has not been renewed. The report indicates residents will be told of the impending closure, followed by an informal notice of eviction sent out to residents by Nov. 1, 2000. Any remaining residents living in the park by Nov. 30, will receive a formal notice to vacate the park by December 31, 2000.

The report indicates that the park owner plans to meet with representatives of local city, county and state government "to determine the level of compliance required to ensure that the park’s remaining tenants have adequate time to relocate." It is also noted that security deposits will be returned to residents who are entitled to them.

"We are pleased that Mr. Dykstra has indicated in his report a willingness to cooperate with all of the governmental entities involved regarding issues of noncompliance in order to allow remaining residents enough time to relocate, rather than forcing them to become homeless," Wilbur said.

Several residents have already received eviction notices from local municipalities as a result of a lack of power to 22 homes on the Grand Rapids side and 5 homes on the Wyoming side. CIS has been working with cities of Wyoming and Grand Rapids, which share a common boundary running through the mobile home park. Also, involved are the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Kent County Health Department, both of which have conducted inspections of the property.

Wilbur added that the department is prepared to take legal action in the event Buchanan Mobile Home Park does not fulfill its responsibilities outlined in the report.

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.