SOUTHPORT, N.Y. (WENY) -- Cherry Lane mobile home park in the Town of Southport was recently sold for just one dollar. The "Bargain and Sale Deed" was created on September 27th, 2024 between Cherry Lane Park, LLC., and the new party Jeffery Smith and James Vorhees, according to records filed with the Chemung County clerk's office. 

This change in ownership comes after years of scrutiny from neighbors living across the street on Sherman Avenue, who have repeatedly voiced concerns that the park is unfit to be occupied due to its deteriorating condition. 

The previous owners, Cherry Lane Park LLC, originally bought the property in 2021 for $550,000, property records show. However, the park has faced numerous issues over the years. Residents and neighbors have reported trailer fires, and drug activity, as well as several units deemed uninhabitable but being squatted in. Residents have described the living conditions as dangerous, citing and reporting problems such as rodent infestation, mold growth, and deteriorating floorboards in many units.

These ongoing issues have made Cherry Lane Park a frequent topic of discussion at the Town of Southport's monthly meetings. Over the past two months, town officials decided to revoke the park's license to operate, which legally prohibits any residency on the property. Despite this, WENY found 33 days after the deadline for residents to vacate, of the 11 total units about 6 of them are actively being lived in. According to the Elmira Water Board, the park's water was shut off sometime on Tuesday, September 24th due to a lack of payment. Southport's code enforcement posted a notice warning residents that the park was not safe to live in. As of October 8, code enforcement and health department warnings are still posted on the trailers, saying they are not habitable. 

WENY News has reached out to the Chemung County Health Department, the Town of Southport, and the new owners for comment, and we've not heard back at this time.