There currently is a stand-off among the 50-some families who live in Wellington (aka Quail Crossing) Mobile Home Park, land owner George Mackie Jr. who wants to sell the 36 acres and Middleburg Communities, which wants to buy it and clear the land to build 254 rental units. But the stumbling block for the sale is the need to rezone the 36 acres to mixed-use residential, which is slated for a public hearing and action in September.
Something may shift today when representatives from four local churches – St. John’s Episcopal, Friendship Chapel Baptist, Wake Forest Baptist and Wake Forest Presbyterian – as well as a delegation of renters at the mobile home park, people with ONE Wake, a multi-ethnic coalition of faith organizations, and perhaps others met with Middleburg executives at 11 a.m. at Friendship Chapel Baptist Church.
At least one person wanted to talk about affordable housing, which Middleburg apparently supports through a separate organization. Ronnie Jackson, one of the people who speak for the Wellington residents, said today he wanted to ask Middleburg for substantial compensation for the residents if he can find a large enough tract of land where they can move if Mackie does sell the mobile home park. That compensation would include money for utilities like septic tanks. Jackson said he is particularly concerned about the 30 families who would be homeless if evicted because they cannot move their older mobile homes and/or cannot find a place to move them. Alicia Arnold with the new Wake County Housing Department has been assisting Jackson with that effort.
Mackie has sent 180-day eviction notices to all the current Wellington residents, meaning they have until the end of January to move if the land is rezoned and Middleburg purchases the land.
ONE Wake has enlisted the help of ROC-USA (Resident-Owned Communities) which has offered Mackie the same amount of money Middleburg will pay under their contract. If the rezoning is denied, Mackie could still sell the land to ROC-USA. So far, Mackie has refused to even hear about that offer.
Regardless of the rezoning outcome, Mackie has said he is determined to evict the current residents. “They won’t be allowed to stay. The park will close no matter what the board decides,” Mackie has said even though he has also called the residents “good people.”
On Tuesday, Aug. 3, Mackie went to Jackson’s RV in the park, knocked on the door and introduced himself, which was necessary because Jackson said he had never met Mackie.
Jackson said Mackie told him he had to take his RV and leave the park immediately because he (Jackson) was the cause of all the furor over the sale and the rezoning. Jackson told Mackie he received a 180-day eviction notice like the other residents and was not leaving. Jackson has rented a lot for three years and said Mackie “didn’t mind taking my money” during that time. Mackie based his instant-eviction attempt on Jackson’s RV when it is a mobile home park. Jackson sought legal advice about the attempt and also called the Wake County Sheriff’s Department; both assured him Mackie had no standing to try the instant eviction.
Jackson quoted Mackie as saying about the eviction notices, “I’ve helped these people long enough.”
Mackie this year sold the next-door 45 acres to Radstar for the Radford Glen subdivision at an undisclosed sum. Wake County listed the land at an appraised value of $1.5 million. Mackie does have a wife with a fatal disease who requires 24-hour care, but he also still owns other land in and near Wake Forest, some of it undeveloped.
The Wake Forest Gazette learned about the contract and the rezoning in early March after residents were notified by Middleburg Communities about a community meeting on Zoom on March 8. Those who contacted the Gazette said they were upset, “. . . left near the end as I just couldn’t stand to hear them anymore.” The mixed-use rezoning would allow Middleburg to build a mix of single-family homes and townhouses, all rental. The range of rents has not been disclosed.
Since March the ONE Wake group at St. John’s Episcopal Church has become involved, ONE Wake-associated lawyers and social workers have informed the residents of their rights during eviction proceedings and offered help with other problems. Wake County social services and other departments have also been helping residents. Other churches and individuals have also joined in trying to find a way that keeps the current park residents either in their current homes or in a new setting, Mackie receives sufficient compensation for the sale to either Middleburg or ROC-USA, and Middleburg either builds affordable housing in Wake Forest or elsewhere.
The most publicity about the situation came on July 17 when over 200 people were at a press conference that highlighted the residents’ plight. There was extensive coverage afterward by the News & Observer, The Wake Weekly, WRAL-TV and Indy Week among others.
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6 Responses
Back during the 2008-ish recession…didn’t Andy Ammons propose an ‘affordable housing’ neighborhood near Rolesville that was shot down by the “ We need upscale housing to pay for infrastructure’” town board. Please! Correct me if I am wrong.
Well written Carol.
Money is money. Mr Mackie has an opportunity to do good and still walk away with his money.
Let it go Mr Mackie.
Carol Pelosi is one of the last true community journalists in North Carolina.
Glad you are back and well Carol. It is disappointing that Mr. Mackie refuses to sell the park to that non profit. Money is one thing, but I’d this group is willing to pay market rate for the land, it demonstrates that Mr. Mackie has an issue with the residents. It is a shame he is tarnishing his family legacy in this town.
Carol, Great job in reporting up to date news on Wellington Mobile Home Park. My questions continue to be 1) why does Mr. Mackie refuse to listen to an alternative way to get his money for the mobile home park land if the commissioners turn down the rezoning, and 2) knowing there is a financial solution for him that allows those Wellington residents who have no alternatives to continue to stay at the park, why would he have sent eviction notices to these “good” people anyway?
Good points. Sounds like he is being vindictive for having his initial plan thwarted. Money is money. He should be thankful he could do the right thing and not lose any money.