Answers to mobile home mystery

A Lake Tahoe News reader from South Lake Tahoe wrote in saying:

“The trailer park at 2333 Eloise is being torn down. I live in Sky Meadows just behind the trailer park, and have been watching men work on removing items from the park over the past few weeks. Then they brought out a large tractor and have begun tearing through the old trailers and making large piles of rubble. If anyone has any information on what is going to be done with the property once the trailers are all removed … let me know.”

Here is the response from Gene Palazzo, director of Redevelopment/Housing for South Lake Tahoe:

“The park has been for sale for some time. About a year or so ago the owner was talking with a potential affordable housing developer, who was also working with the city to see if the city would be interested/willing in supporting a 2010-11 application to HCD for HOME funds. They were unable to put the financing package together so the deal fell apart after about a year of time invested by them.

“More recently, a potential buyer came into our offices stating they were looking to buy the property. He discussed improving the park and installing new mobile/type homes that would be more ‘Tahoe’ looking. That was months ago, and he was going to do it without requesting housing funds because he didn’t want to restrict renting to low-income.

“The real estate agent working with the previous owner stated the property has been sold and the new owner is in the process of fixing it up. Mobil home parks are regulated by the state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).”