LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Some Lake County residents told Channel 9 they were lured into buying their homes with the promise of an equestrian center, but it was never built.
Homeowners claim that Centex, the developer of the Sullivan Ranch neighborhood in Mount Dora, told them there would be a multi-million dollar equestrian center in the community. But more than seven years later, there's still no center.
"Everybody here only wants what Centex promised us," resident Judy Leiby said.
Several residents went to the Lake County Courthouse Tuesday in support of homeowner Sara MacKenzie, who is suing Centex over the equestrian center. Centex also manages the neighborhood's homeowners association.
"That's how they sold this to us, and then they have not come through," MacKenzie said.
Many people who purchased homes in Sullivan Ranch said they did so because of the opportunity to have their horse nearby at the facility. Some even paid more money to live closer to the proposed location of the center.
"They paid $1,500 to $1,800 extra, they even paid through 2014 closings," MacKenzie said.
Residents told Eyewitness News that Centex decided not to build the equestrian center and they fear businesses or apartments could go in its place.
"If they choose not to build the equestrian center, then they need to compensate us," Leiby said.
Because the facility was never built, residents who have horses had to pay to have them moved or housed somewhere else.
The attorney representing Centex wouldn't comment on the lawsuit.