Imagine learning in the newspaper or from a friend that the land where your home sits will be sold out from under you and that your family will literally need to pull up stakes and vacate. That’s what happened to our neighbors in Columbia, MO. The owner of the Regency Mobile Home park did not even offer the courtesy to inform the nearly 200 family members living there of the sell himself.
Multi-millionaire Gradow, Churchill Group, of Colorado (owner) wants to sell the mobile home park land to Aspen Heights, a half-billion dollar company from Texas. Aspen Heights wants to purchase the property for a gated duplexes, by the bed, student housing development. In order for them to do that, the Columbia, MO City Planning & Zoning, and the City Council must approve their rezoning application.
People power set in motion. On September 22, the Regency rezoning request was rejected by a unanimous vote of 7 – 0 by the city’s planning and zoning commission after compelling testimonies from residents, students and community leaders.
Then by unanimous consent the City Council tabled the rezoning application on Monday, October 17 until November 21! And, conditions implying the zoning proposal would pass ($1,200 for each resident to move their home, longer vacating time) was stripped from the motion! The packed chambers and the tour of the park community on Thursday, October 13, initiated by the residents was key to this encouraging outcome. Councilwomen Barbara Hoppe, Ward 6 (Regency) and neighboring Helen Anthony from Ward 5 toured the property. Both were adamant about slowing down the rezoning process and gathering more information.
Students rise in solidarity. The student community and the newly formed GRO Mizzou affiliate of GRO have shown invaluable support for the families of Regency. Students have turned out for rallies and have publicly testified they do not need this type of housing and want residents of Regency to stay in their homes–including the recently crowned MU Homecoming Queen. (Unfortunately, some students will be gone during Thanksgiving break for the November 21st meeting.)
Leadership emerges. On October 22, 2011 Michael Brown (new dues-paid member from Regency) and Robin Acree, GRO Director went to Washington, DC. They were asked to present about GRO and Regency during the National Manufactured Home Owners Association of America conference. Kevin Borden, Center for Community Change, who works on manufactured home parks organizing nationally, accompanied them.
Seasoned GRO Organizer, Mary Hussmann organized and held a productive residents’ driven meeting that Michael facilitated on Wednesday, October 26. He gave a report from his recent DC trip and supported his fellow residents who made plans and preparations leading up to and for the November 21, 2011 Council meeting.
The battle continues to save their homes. And, momentum is shifting towards the side of the people. But, we need as much public testimony and community support as we can muster to push a NO VOTE to REZONE the property. Big money is a powerful opponent.
