Homeowners Left With Half-Built Community

Eyewitness News learned that some developers are breaking big promises. A homeowner called Eyewitness News after he bought a house in what was promised to be a sprawling retirement community in Davenport, but it turned into nothing but a ghost town.

Even with a slowing economy, residents expected a great community until Friday. That's when the builder peeled the signs off all the buildings, locked the doors to the sales office and boarded up the windows.

There are over 90 homeowners in the Lacresta and they say the move was a shock. They bought homes there because they trusted the Del Webb name, the advertised promise of a perfect retirement by a company that's built a half-million homes and five communities in Florida.

"We didn't have all the facts, but we stood behind them and we trusted them. We trusted them, their history," said resident Stu Mahoney.

All that residents currently have in the neighborhood is a huge rusting steel skeleton of an activities center, two pools that are only good to mosquitoes, empty lots and half-built homes. Some people who bought online and on faith had no idea that was what they were getting until it was too late.

"I didn't know it was shut down nor did I have a clue in the buying process there was a lawsuit and the project was shut down," said resident Ralph Blythe.

Del Webb's parent company said it pulled out because the land owner wasn't supplying the land or permits it needed. That land owner, JL Land Development, had no comment.

Residents said they don't want to vilify either side, they just want to enjoy their retirement.

"We expected a typical Del Webb active adult lifestyle," said Blythe.

Del Webb's parent company has filed a lawsuit against the land owner, but said Monday it will honor any warranty needs for homes that were finished.