Unfinished Homes Sit Stagnant For 2 Years

Neighbors Say Debris Sits On Ground For Weeks Reported By Catharyn Campbell POSTED: 8:57 am CST February 27, 2008 UPDATED: 9:18 am CST February 27, 2008 NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A builder has left unfinished homes sit and deteriorate for years in one area of southeast Nashville. Video: Unfinished Development Becomes Eyesore, Hazard Residents said the project in the Edge-O-Lake neighborhood has been in the works for two years, but the only people who are moving in are transients and vagrants. "Last summer there were lots of beer cans, whisky bottles. We heard gun shots," said Vicky Tataryn of Edge-O-Lake Neighborhood Association. Tararyn has lived in the area for 20 years and is concerned about the quality of the homes, as well as the safety of children. "It started out as a one story house, and it has plywood under it now holding it up," said Tataryn. A few 2-by-4s support the thin wooden walls, and a portion of the home behind it was chopped off so it would fit onto a concrete foundation. Tataryn said the debris sat on the ground for weeks until it was placed in a Dumpster in the front of the home. "What is the value of these houses, and when they sell what does that do to the value of our property?" said Tataryn. Tataryn said she's contacted Metro's codes department several times but her calls and e-mails have not been returned, so she called Metro councilwoman Vivian Wilhoite. "We've been told that in the next couple of weeks we should see some activity here. We've been told they are going to get the property cleaned up. We want to see if they are going to follow up on their word because so far their promises have been broken,” said Wilhoite. While the builder is not doing the job, neighbors hope that the codes department will do their's. "Of course the owner has some responsibility, but the codes department, they are the ones who hold the owners to their obligations,” said Tataryn. Wilhoite said a couple months ago that a new owner received a permit to build on the property, but so far there has been little progress. She said that codes can do little unless the contractor abandons the project for at least a year, which means these people could have to live with this situation for several more months. It is not clear whether the developer has been fined for any infractions. Copyright 2008 by WSMV.com. All rights reserved. The link to watch the video: www.wsmv.com/video/15423740/index.html?taf=nash This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.