Trailer park owner plans to fix issues

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - A Norfolk businessman had until Tuesday to submit plans on bringing his mobile home park into code compliance.Late Tuesday afternoon, those plans were delivered to the city's attorney's office.

For years, residents and city officials have complained about the Central Trailer Park on Argonne Avenue in Norfolk. The park is operated by a company owned by Bruce Mimran and Ken Young, who is the owner of the Norfolk Tides and Norfolk Admirals.

"The deal out here is, we pay our rent and nothing gets done," said park resident Timmy Fodrey. He blames Mimran for sewage problems in the park, and faulty water meters that he claims inaccurately measure the amount of water use.

The city of Norfolk has 13 pending cases against Mimran concerning how he operates the park.

At the park, WAVY.com spoke with worker Andrew Jarvis.

"We're really not suppose to comment," he said. He said Mimran told him to clean up everything.

Fodrey says some things have been done, like cutting limbs and grass, but the bigger items have not been taken care of, like pot holes, rough roads, and condemned trailers left untouched for months.

Lee, who is a resident and would not give her last name, supports Mimran, and wants her home to be her home in the future.

"If they make it so impossible for the owner to make repairs then what recourse will he have but to close the park?" she said. "These people can't afford to move their trailers."

Late Tuesday, Mimran submitted requests to demolish some trailers. The plan is detailed on removing trailers from wetlands, and also from road right-of-ways.

Great concern is also given to raw sewage spills onto land and into the river. The plan gives detail to monitoring the pump station at the park. A camera was put in the pipe, and Mimran said he is unaware of any leaks, but will allow an engineer to determine if any repairs are needed.