Bethel College evicts residents of mobile home park

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Residents of the Princess City Mobile Home Park and the Jefferson Mobile Home Park in Mishawaka must move to make way for Bethel College's campus expansion

Residents of the Princess City Mobile Home Park and the Jefferson Mobile Home Park in Mishawaka must move to make way for Bethel College's campus expansion. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: May 21, 2008 at 7:29 AM EDT

Story Updated: May 21, 2008 at 6:18 PM EDT

MISHAWAKA (AP) — Residents of a mobile home park must move out of their homes soon because Bethel College bought the park with plans to use the space for a future campus expansion.

Bethel College bought the Princess City Mobile Home Park and notified residents that they must move by July 1.

The park contains about 60 mobile homes, nearly all rental units, and about 12 to 14 units are occupied. Shirley DeWitt and her husband aren't sure where they will move.

"We didn't think we'd have to move this soon," she said. "We thought maybe we'd have a year."

Bethel College bought the neighboring Jefferson Mobile Home Park several years ago. Residents there must move by the end of the month. About seven units remain occupied in that park, and those residents are preparing to move, said John Myers, Bethel's vice president and chief fiscal officer.

The college plans to convert both mobile home parks into a grassy area for Bethel students and neighborhood residents in the northern Indiana city to use.

Eventually, officials hope the site will be used for additional campus buildings or athletic fields. Myers said it could take two to five years to proceed with those plans.

The South Bend Tribune contributed to this report.

Friday, May 23 at 2:27 PM Anonymous wrote ...

To Insider: Check your facts. Bethel did offer monetary assistance to each family to offset their moving expenses. I dare you to find any other landlord that would do that. If by "help" you mean "pay their rent", I'd like to see you take out a 2nd mortgage to purchase a rental property and then offer to pay the tenant's rent. How long do you think any person (Christian or otherwise) would be able to keep that up? How many Christian billionaires do you know?

Friday, May 23 at 2:11 PM Snickers wrote ...

Take the wheels off so the kids can make go carts. That good enough I"m Listening?

Thursday, May 22 at 7:45 PM I'm Listening... wrote ...

I wish there were something that someone could say that would get the world off the backs off people who live in mobile home parks. These communities certainly have their share of problems but the worse part about it is the biggest problem is people who generalize all residents, like the children who live there. They have no choice about their guardians and the lifestyles they choose, they are VICTIMS. If you sharp witted wizzards are so intelligent howabout a word about what to do for the kids!

Thursday, May 22 at 9:58 AM Snickers wrote ...

Take a look at the place, I can't believe the upkeep for a little longer would take more than a few hundred a month. Do what the last owner did, which wasn't much. It can't possibly cost that much. I mean what are we talking here, maybe cut the grass every two weeks. Just tear down the empty ones then when thats done the rest of the people must go.

Thursday, May 22 at 8:56 AM Gary wrote ...

Seems like confusion to me - they were notified, then they weren't. It's a he-said, she-said kind of game. Problem is when you rent, short notice of eviction is always a possibility. You don't OWN the home. I guess I'd be filling out applications all over town rather than wasting my time sitting on the internet complaining.....

Thursday, May 22 at 8:43 AM To Insider wrote ...

Then as a Christian school they should have helped the residents. We cannot just say we are Christians, we have to act like Christians. Shame on you and the school.

Thursday, May 22 at 6:49 AM Insider at Bethel wrote ...

You should see the rodents (rats, skunks, meth heads, etc.)that are fleeing from the park and trying to move into the surrounding areas. Perhaps if this park had been properly cared for by the owners and RESIDENTS, it could still produce income and be kept until the future expansion took place. Just a thought....

Wednesday, May 21 at 7:05 PM a person wrote ...

You all do realize that this is the American way right? I mean seriously, this land isn't necessarily ours considering the eviction of the native population of these lands long ago. Oh, but that was the past right. The American way, get rid of, buy or simply clear out anyone in the way of progress. You people genuinely seem surprised that this is possible. The American way, be a patriot and smile.

Wednesday, May 21 at 6:23 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I am sure Jesus would do the same thing...throw the bums out. And yes, that was sarcasm

Wednesday, May 21 at 5:56 PM Voice of Reason wrote ...

Ummm... Regarding - 1:09 PM Like ND wrote The greatest sadness I see is how quick you are to "crucify" religious based colleges for their need to expand. I'm curious, did you complain about IUSB? Were their actions any more or less "religious"? I would not be surprised if you were also the 1st to complain that you were turned away from Bethel or ND because they had to be more selective of their students due to space limitations. On 2nd thought, yes I would. Education isn't your thing, is it?

Wednesday, May 21 at 5:24 PM Tony wrote ...

Princes City..that is not true. You were invited to a meeting several months ago. They did indeed tell you a year ago. You may of chosen to ignore or not is your problem. You didn't talk to the former owner, because Bethel has owned it for more then a year and his family did for a few years previous. He has been hands off with severe health problems for about three years now. Please don't lie.

Wednesday, May 21 at 4:23 PM PRINCESS CITY wrote ...

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS. AND NO, WE DID NOT KNOW LAST YEAR THAT BETHAL WAS BUYING THIS PARK. THEY JUST SAID THEY MIGHT LOOK INTO IT.NONE OF US KNEW ANYTHING DEFENITE UNTIL THEY SENT OUT THE FLYERS. ALL WE HAD WERE ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF RUMORS.WE WOULD ASK THE FORMER OWNER WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE PARK, HE WOULD TELL US NOTHING.ITS A FINACIAL HEARTSHIP FOR US RIGHT NOW. BUT WE WILL SURVIVE. THANK YOU

Wednesday, May 21 at 4:19 PM SB wrote ...

Don't blame the college. The owner of the park is the one who sold it, and he had plenty of time to notify the occupants. He chose not to. Many of the residents knew this was going to happen about 3 years ago. They had plenty of time to make other arrangements.

Wednesday, May 21 at 3:40 PM Snickers wrote ...

www.mytrailerpark.com

Wednesday, May 21 at 3:34 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I wonder where they all went.

Wednesday, May 21 at 3:29 PM Steve-O wrote ...

I say we get our 4X4's together and have a rally to stop this. Just use the other trailers for dorms.

Wednesday, May 21 at 3:20 PM Herb wrote ...

To Like ND - you are a M-O-R-O-N.

Wednesday, May 21 at 2:42 PM Joel wrote ...

Sounds like a good move to me. Mishawaka police may have a little more free time on their hands.

Wednesday, May 21 at 2:35 PM Mitch wrote ...

LikeND...you sir are an idiot! Bethel probably spends 1 dollar per every 400,000 that ND spends on its sports program. There is not even anywhere near close a comparison. They graduate out a large number of teachers, nurses, and pastors...calling that a school of false God's? I hardly think so.

Wednesday, May 21 at 1:28 PM D. Mettert wrote ...

I grew up in that little trailor park. Yes, it is very run down. But it didn't matter when I was growing up. Then it was home,family,and some of the best friends in the world. Progress is good. I just can't help feeling a little sad.

Wednesday, May 21 at 1:20 PM double daryl lic wrote ...

what do you mean evicted ? them trailer homes got wheels, they can go anywhere

Wednesday, May 21 at 1:10 PM Bill wrote ...

This does not force anybody out of their homes. They just can't park them there anymore.

Wednesday, May 21 at 1:09 PM Like ND wrote ...

It seems Bethel is getting like ND. It's all about the almighty dollar. What happened to religion. Oh I apologize they both share the same belief: MONEY. For being non profit they sure live well. Imagine if both institutions got rid of all sports programs where would they be. Nice to have such a big cover up for worshipping false GODS: football, basketball, baseball, Money, need I say more?

Wednesday, May 21 at 1:05 PM priscilla wrote ...

The first news of this was last year so people have had a year to find another place to live. Don't blame the school, everytime a new hwy is put in or an old one widened, etc. people are forced to either move or make changes. The media is in for the shock reaction of their headlines - seeking the dramatic outrage of the public who often times react without full information. And such is our nation.

Wednesday, May 21 at 1:00 PM Mitch wrote ...

What this article fails to state is the residents were notified over a YEAR ago. There was a follow up meeting four months ago with all the residents. They are being given assistance financially to pay deposits and what not. Bethel has done this in a very caring way. I don't like the fact the lady in the article chose to lie. They even have the option to just take the home with them if they like. Find another land lord that will treat you that well in a mobile home park.

Wednesday, May 21 at 11:36 AM jen wrote ...

I am not trying to be mean but getting rid of a run down mobile home park, is not a bad thing. It is an eye sore for everyone. There are plenty of places to live. Not even a quarter of the homes were rented. The college is doing the best they can.

Wednesday, May 21 at 11:22 AM mishawaka wrote ...

im glad to see one person from that park go his name is jim and he drives a green jeep with woodgrain sides

Wednesday, May 21 at 10:30 AM Jesse wrote ...

It terrible for anyone to loose there home, but don't blame bethel, blame the owners of the mobile home park who sold it. That is were the question should go. Not to the School, they made a purchase, ask the seller why he didn't give advance notice to hime tenents.

Wednesday, May 21 at 9:36 AM Smarter than a 5th grader... wrote ...

To Anonymous at 8:57...don't be such a cry baby. The college is growing and they need more room...it's less an issue of want and more of need. The majority of buildings on campus are close together because they have tried to make do with what they had. As they continue to grow and expand it is inevitable that they are going to need more land for future building.

Wednesday, May 21 at 8:57 AM Anonymous wrote ...

That the college's for ya! Screw the little people and the wildlife, they want more room! People are so greedy!

Wednesday, May 21 at 8:34 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I remember this story from a year ago. They knew then that July 1st would be their moving day. Too bad Bethel removed the park that used to be there,, now they want to install a "Grassy Area" for people to enjoy? Should have left the original one alone.

Wednesday, May 21 at 8:01 AM T Gaskill wrote ...

That seems a little soon, hope the remaining can find something in their price range.

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