GULF SHORES, Ala. – According to an attorney for residents from the bought-out flood-prone neighborhood in eastern Gulf Shores, a court hearing on June 19 will set up parameters for closings on the properties.

Residents raised concerns Monday night about how they would afford other housing after being told Friday afternoon they would have to move out on closing day. Closings were to take place 45 days after the receipt of a May 30 letter from the city to the residents’ attorney, Mark Ryan.

“Without any warning Friday afternoon I get a phone call from the city’s attorney, Andy Ruten, who says he met with Donald Stewart and the mayor and they wanted everyone out at closings,” Ryan said. “The only option is to get this back in front of the judge and get the court to order specific closing parameters.”

At Monday’s City Council meeting Mayor Robert Craft said there was never any discussion about residents staying after closings on the 18 properties, but he would be willing to work out an agreement through attorneys.

“We never discussed any extended period of occupancy after closing,” Craft told residents Connie Murphy and Debbie Freeman at the meeting. “That creates real issues for us being a landlord as a city. That’s not typically what we would do. We’re trying our best to do the best we can to do some of the things that you specifically pointed out were putting a hardship on the folks over there.”

Ryan said that contradicts a letter sent to him by Ruten on May 30.

The letter Ruten wrote says: “(Craft) is mindful that certain individuals may need additional time to find alternative living arrangements. If that is the case for any individuals, please let me know.”

Ryan said he thought these were the rules the residents were working under for closings on the properties.

“Everything was on track until Friday afternoon,” Ryan said. “’Oh, well, we’ve changed our mind. Everyone has to be out by closing.’ Which was the first time in six months that has ever been presented.

“This would be consistent with everything I’ve seen from the city of Gulf Shores. It’s a fairly established track record of failing to follow through with its obligations, and I’m speaking to these people in this neighborhood.”

Gulf Shores agreed to buy 27 homes in the East 21^st Avenue area following the conclusion of a lawsuit in May. The trial on 17 of those claims began in early April and ended with the city ordered to pay $883,000 to 24 plaintiffs. Some were couples who owned properties and some were people who suffered flood damage when they previously owned property in the area. Buying the houses will cost the city more than $3 million.

The houses are in an area bordered by Canal Road on the north, East Second Street on the west, 10th Street and Gulf State Park on the east and East 21st Street and Gulf State Park on the south.

Another trial in the same lawsuit – the judge split the case into two trials according to Ryan – will involve another 10 properties.

Last week the city announced they were not going to demolish the homes, but put in more flood prevention measures and resell them.

“There was this concept floated, through the paper, not through me, that maybe some of the homeowners wanted to repurchase or whatever,” Ryan said. “That would be up to the individual homeowner.”

Ryan said it’s highly unlikely any of his clients would want to repurchase their homes.

“None of my clients have expressed any interest knowing the severity of the drainage situation there of staying back in there,” he said. “It makes me wonder if this last minute change, and the economic hardship it’s created by the city is not an effort to leverage people. I don’t have any evidence of that, but it sure seems consistent. I don’t know if that has anything do to with their motivation, it may just be continued poor management. That thought did cross my mind.”

Resident Debbie Freeman said she won’t be able to acquire another home without the check from the closing.

“How can we buy a home if we don’t have our money?” Freeman asked. “It’ll be impossible for us to put a down payment on a home if we don’t have a check from the city. We can’t get out until we are paid. We’d love to get out. But we can’t until you pay us and give us 30 days to vacate.”

Mayor Robert Craft assured the residents in attendance the city’s attorney and the residents’ attorney were working on a solution.

“We’re not going to kick you out on the street,” he said. “You don’t have to close until you’re prepared to close. We recognize your problem. We’re trying to solve it.”