Developer Skips Town, Road Needs Maintained.. Any Ideas?

[Metallic36]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? GA

We live on a road along with many other people. The developer skipped town several years ago and the road is unfinished, and the city claims they cannot maintain our road because it is on "private" property. Is our land the "private" property??

Is there any way for us owners to get together and make the city or county take it over? It is severely dangerous for emergency vehicles to come down here, the school bus now cannot come down here.

There is a water house (well) that is owned by the city that resides on this road. The city employees visit it regularly, so they are using this road too.

Here is a link to the recent newspaper article: [URL]http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/archive/14063/[/URL]

Any help is greatly appreciated. We have thought about a Homeowner's Association, but really not sure how many people would be willing to do that, and how many wouldn't pay, and if it would be more of a hassle.

Thank you very much for any help. I am trying to get the ball rolling and see what can be done with this. Funny thing is that the mayor has even stated that paving the road is in the budget, the city is supposed to own the road, but according to the newspaper article they don't. Are we screwed?

[xylene]

I can't believe that your reaction to the unwillingness of some property owners to pay for the maintenance of your private road is to expect the taxpayers to do so.

[Metallic36]

It's the fact of getting EVERYONE in here to chip in money. This isn't exactly a million-dollar subdivision, mostly doublewides, so I'm not certain that everyone is going to be so willing to give up money toward getting the road maintained often, not everyone here has money to simply toss at the idea, finding someone to do the roadwork, and paying them to do so. If everyone would give up the money, then it would work, but I doubt everyone is going to do so. That leaves only a handful of us with money able to put toward the project. It's going to cost $200,000 to fix the road completely. There are 30% tenants that are renting around here as well, so not everyone that lives on the road is going to be willing. It's a thought to give it a try, but I'm trying to find other ideas in the event that not everyone can or wants to pay up $$.

Here is another link, scroll down until you see the article for Lula: [url]http://www.mainstreetnews.com/Arch/02/1023/Banks.html[/url]

Originally Posted by xylene

I can't believe that your reaction to the unwillingness of some property owners to pay for the maintenance of your private road is to expect the taxpayers to do so.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by Metallic36

It's the fact of getting EVERYONE in here to chip in money. This isn't exactly a million-dollar subdivision, mostly doublewides, so I'm not certain that everyone is going to be so willing to give up money toward getting the road maintained often, not everyone here has money to simply toss at the idea, finding someone to do the roadwork, and paying them to do so. If everyone would give up the money, then it would work, but I doubt everyone is going to do so. That leaves only a handful of us with money able to put toward the project. It's going to cost $200,000 to fix the road completely. There are 30% tenants that are renting around here as well, so not everyone that lives on the road is going to be willing. It's a thought to give it a try, but I'm trying to find other ideas in the event that not everyone can or wants to pay up $$.

Here is another link, scroll down until you see the article for Lula: [url=http://www.mainstreetnews.com/Arch/02/1023/Banks.html]News From Banks County[/url]

**A: all owners should pay their share.

[Metallic36]

I definitely agree. There is one way that I've found that will allow the city to take the road over, and that is all the owners coming up with $200,000 to fix the road, then once it is in satisfactory condition the city will take it over and maintain it.

Originally Posted by HomeGuru

**A: all owners should pay their share.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by Metallic36

I definitely agree. There is one way that I've found that will allow the city to take the road over, and that is all the owners coming up with $200,000 to fix the road, then once it is in satisfactory condition the city will take it over and maintain it.

**A: sounds like a plan.

[Metallic36]

Another thought..

The city never required a bond for this guy when he built the road. After this happened, the city now requires a bond from all developers. Is there any chance the city could be held liable for not taking a bond on the road from the developer?

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by Metallic36

Another thought..

The city never required a bond for this guy when he built the road. After this happened, the city now requires a bond from all developers. Is there any chance the city could be held liable for not taking a bond on the road from the developer?

**A: no, not unless a bond was required and the city waved it for no reason.