By William Croyle
Enquirer contributor

CRESCENT SPRINGS - Money that residents of Crest Mobile Home Park have been waiting for so they can move should be available in the next couple of weeks.

Bear Creek Capital is buying the mobile home park off Anderson Road to build a $56 million, 365,000-square-foot shopping and office complex known as Buttermilk Towne Center.

"We are anticipating closing on the property July 15th, though it could get pushed back a week or so," said Greg Scheper, director of acquisitions for Bear Creek.

"Once we own the property, we can move forward with the residents."

The 40-year-old mobile home park is being sold by Ray Erpenbeck of A&K Enterprises, owner and landlord for about the last 20 years.

It was home for about 130 families, many of them living on disability or Social Security.

Some of those families have already left. Others can't afford to leave until they receive financial help from Bear Creek.

Scheper said the help they will get falls into one of three categories:

• Residents whose homes can be moved and choose to move to one of four mobile home parks owned by Holiday Homes or SSK Communities will receive $5,500 for moving expenses.

• Residents who buy a new or used mobile home in one of those four communities will receive $3,500 for a down payment.

• Residents who do not move into one of those communities will be given $1,500 for moving expenses.

Residents say very little has been communicated to them since the process started last year.

None of those asked on Thursday knew about the July 15 closing date.

"That's what has everybody all upset around here. They don't know what's happening day to day," said resident Gary Slone.

Scheper said he asked Erpenbeck about three weeks ago if Bear Creek could begin terminating leases and distributing money but was told it could not until the closing occurred.

Erpenbeck's attorney, Pete Smith, said it was a common-sense move on Erpenbeck's part.

"If you own a mobile home park and (the sale) falls through, you don't want to lose your tenants," said Smith.

Vera Slone, who has lived there for eight years, said Erpenbeck would lose most of his tenants anyway.

"The ones who can't afford to move wouldn't, but everyone else would," she said.

"We've been taken down a horrible road. I'm definitely leaving no matter what."

E-mail williamcroyle@yahoo.com