CENTERVILLE—When Brandi Dudley bought her childhood home in the Centerville Mobile Estates trailer park 16 years ago she thought she’d be there forever. Last week she said goodby to that home to make way for a new development. 

Dudley is one of 48 residents whose lives were upended when the park’s owner sold the property at 555 N. 400 West to CW Design LLC, a Salt Lake development company. Homeowners were told in May they had nine months to move out.

“A few months before that he’d sent out a letter saying he looked forward to being with us for many years to come,” said Dudley. “A lot of us put money into our homes after that because of that promise from him.”

It’s been difficult getting the mobile homes sold, said Centerville Mayor Clark Wilkinson. “There are several pre-1976 trailers that initially we found couldn’t be sold or moved. There are 48 trailers and 40 of them are pre-1976. In the last two months people have been looking at the trailers and fixing a wiring issue so they could be moved. But they couldn’t be sold for much.”

They were all renting the land they were on, he said. “The past owner sold and the new owner desired a different use. It was private property so the owner had the right to tell residents they had nine months to leave even before we changed use on the land.”

Wilkinson said the area was changed from mobile home park to mixed use. “It was heart wrenching for the planning commission.”

The development was approved by the city council for commercial on the east and residential on the west, said Centerville City Manager Brant Hanson. “The developer set up a fund to assist relocation for residents. We don’t like seeing displacements of families but CW Urban has been phenomenal to take care of those being displaced.”

There has been an amazing show of support by the residents in the city, said Wilkinson. “Citizens of Centerville, ecclesiastical leaders and government officials have made sure homes were found. Several fundraisers took place and there have been many donations made through LDS fast offerings and other charitable organizations to get their neighbors set up. Some have helped people in moving and getting their rent paid.”

Dudley was able to find an apartment right down the street. “But my rent went from $252 to $1,440,” she said. “Trying to find new places is hard. If you don’t make a certain amount apartments won't even look at you. I was just lucky. I feel very blessed.”

As she stands among the rubble of what she used to call home, Dudley tries to be positive. “I want to help those who really need it,” she said. “Many are elderly or on disability and don’t make enough money and can’t afford rent.”

Dudley said residents and neighbors have formed a committee to assist those in need. “They can apply for a grant to pay rent, mortgage payments, health bills or get help with going back to school. Anything to help people get back on their feet.”