It appears that two mobile home communities in Durango are now facing a potential change in ownership. Though the owners will not confirm details, the tenants of Animas Park for Mobile Homes in north Durango are convinced the park has sold, and they are wondering what their future holds.
Wilma Cooper, who owns the park with husband, Ted Cooper, was contacted multiple times by The Durango Herald. Cooper repeated she was “not at liberty” to discuss any pending transactions. “I’m still taking rent and paying bills,” she said.
But suspicions are growing among park residents, who reported unidentified prospective buyers walking the property in recent weeks, a lack of communication from Cooper, and the absence of a maintenance worker.
The Herald reported two weeks ago that the $6.75 million Island Cove Mobile Park on Florida Road is also facing uncertainty. Developers have been eyeing that park, which has about 75 mobile homes and apartments, since it went on the market in June.
The Animas River runs along the 120-lot Animas Park property, which has been under the Coopers’ ownership for 35 years. When the couple purchased the park along Animas View Drive in 1980, they decided to lease space only to homeowners, who pay $490 a month to occupy the lots.
Durango Community Development Director Greg Hoch said he had heard of the possibility of a sale and that the property will likely remain a mobile home park, but he cannot verify the information. Neither the La Plata County assessor’s database nor the real estate listing service indicate a change in ownership.
Joe Russo, who has handled maintenance at the park for three years, could confirm little else other than that he, too, has heard the park sold and the new owners will take over this month.
“Everybody is at a standstill,” he said.
The Herald spoke with approximately 25 Animas Park residents, including longtime tenant Dave Bray.
“I’m scared,” Bray said. “I’ve lived here 27 years and always felt it would sell, the developers would come in and build townhomes or something. It’s a bummer, because this is low-income housing.”
Park resident Wynona Goodman, a retiree, said she has heard the park has sold, but also that the plan is to keep the mobile park as is.
“I’ve lived here 15 years, and I love it,” Goodman said. “I hope they keep it this way. I know there are so many retired people in the park.”
All other residents who were interviewed commented on the condition of anonymity.
“We just want to know if it will stay,” said one 28-year tenant. “Everyone knows it; they’ve had surveyors walking around the property. The maintenance man said he talked to two couples interested in buying who said they want to keep it a park, but everything is so hush-hush. It’s also childish, like we’re idiots or trailer trash and don’t know what’s going on.
“I’m 79 years old now – where am I going to go?” she asked.
“The tenants have a right to know,” another resident of eight years said.
jpace@durangoherald.com
