The Muncie Unsafe Building Hearing Authority on Jan. 8 pressed the owner of A & R Rec Mobile Home Park to act after neighbors described years of deterioration and safety problems.

Neighbor Christy Kirkland told the authority that of the park’s 18 lots "11 of them are vacant" and that many trailers are in "severe state of rundown," saying the conditions have persisted for years. Barbara Bickford, who owns adjoining property, added that boarded trailers have been repeatedly reoccupied and that residents have reported thefts and fires.

The owner’s representative, who identified himself in the hearing as Ward Rec, said crews had been onsite several days working on a garage and some homes. "We've been there 4 days so far out of the week," he said, adding the company operates several parks and is seeking an Indiana installer's license to replace units once authorized. "We're gonna board up windows, prevent people from getting in, and then eventually, we'll move in new mobile homes once we get our installer's license."

Staff described the park’s west side as particularly dilapidated and recommended a unit-by-unit approach to demolition and rehabilitation. Legal counsel advised separating orders by trailer number for clarity if future enforcement litigation is necessary.

The authority voted to: affirm rehab orders where staff had recommended rehabilitation; order an inspection within one week to identify which units must be demolished or repaired; require the owner to return with a budget, schedule and timetable at the next hearing; modify the garage’s demolition order to a rehab order with an inspection within one week; and affirm demolition orders for a set of identified units. For the units the board designated for demolition the authority added vacate orders (no one is permitted to live in those units) and continued the matters to the Feb. 12 hearing.

Mayor Dan Ridenour and other members stressed urgency and warned that long-term neglect would trigger stronger enforcement. Staff and members said they expect photographic evidence, inspection reports and a written timetable at the next hearing.

The authority repeatedly told the owner to provide lot-specific numbers and timelines; the owner said he would supply that information. The hearing record shows the authority will monitor progress and enforce vacate and demolition orders if the owner does not meet inspection and timetable requirements.