Article
and Video Courtesy of Channel 5; WPTV.com
By Marissa
Bagg
Published
September 9, 2013
|
Watch
VIDEO
|
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - Dale Domanick is
preparing for the fight of her life. She fears the corporation
that owns most units in her Via Lugano condominium community wants to buy
hers too. The development is just north of Gateway Boulevard on Congress
Avenue in Boynton Beach.
"We feel like they're
stealing from us, forcibly taking something is
stealing," said Domanick.
Under Florida law, once the
Northland Investment Corp. owns 80% of the units, it can
turn the property from condos into apartments. The law would
only require Northland to pay remaining owners fair market
value for their homes.
In
Domanick's case, that's about $80,000. A far cry from the
$300,000 she paid for it back in 2006. |
|
|
"I
feel like they're doing something wrong. It may be legal, but it's immoral
and unethical," said Domanick.
"I'm
sick to my stomach, I can't sleep, I'm shaking I'm so upset. They haven't
contacted me, no phone calls or letter, it's like they're going behind my
back," said Jeff Herron, who also purchased a home in 2006.
He says he'll end up on the
street if Northland doesn't buy him out for what he paid.
So what is next for the
owners? They plan to hire lawyers and take Northland to
court, in hopes of keeping their homes.
"I
want to put on my boxing gloves and knock someone's head
off that wants me to move. I'm settled here," said
Helen Weinschenk, who bought her condo as a retirement
home. |
|
|
Northland
didn't respond to phone calls and emails asking for their view.
Domanick
says it will take some elbow grease to battle a corporation worth $2.5
billion.
"We'll
stand together, knock on doors and make anyone who isn't aware,
aware," said Domanick.
|