DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — Neighbors in a Douglas County subdivision are upset because they said no one will stand up and take responsibility for fixing a massive hole at one of the entrances to the subdivision.
"The hole itself is about one and a half stories deep," said Wally Sharif, a three-year resident of the Whitestone subdivision in southern Douglas County.
Flood waters washed the road away eight long months ago. The estimated price tag to fix the hole is $700,000.
Channel 2 Action News reporter Richard Elliot visited the area Tuesday and spoke with residents.
Residents said Whitestone started out as a luxurious subdivision when it first opened three years ago. Since then, residents said they've gone through two bankrupt developers and one failed bank. They said the subdivision is now owned by a second bank.
SLIDESHOW: Huge Hole Creating Headaches In Douglas
"We've been in communications with the bank and the DOT here in the county," said resident Dwight Golden. "Basically, everybody is pushing it around that it's not their issue, and we're kind of at a stalemate here."
Elliot contacted Douglas County officials who said they sympathize but are not able to repair Whitestone. They said since the subdivision still legally owns the road and has not turned it over to the county, Douglas is not responsible for repairs. They do not want to put taxpayers on the hook for a huge repair bill they don't have to pay.
And since the road is not county-maintained, Whitestone does not qualify for federal assistance.
Officials said that in the eight months since the floods, they've repaired all but two of the 170 roads damaged or destroyed by the rising waters. They point to the bank that now owns Whitestone as being the one responsible. Elliot attempted to contact bank officials but did not get a return phone call.
"We've had some people look at the houses that are for sale," said Sharif as he stood by the 18-foot-deep, 35-foot-wide crater. "But I think this hole is a deterrent to those prospective buyers."
Sharif and Golden both say the hole is killing their property values and home sales, as buyers don't want to deal with the hassle of a washed out road with no hope of repair.
"Obviously when you're looking to buy a house, you don't want to get stuck with something like this," said Sharif.
Golden also points out that the hole is a safety hazard and forces emergency vehicles to drive two miles out of the way to get to the back of the subdivision through a rear entrance.
Neighbors plan to appeal to the county for help once again at next month's commission meeting.
Elliot asked Sharif who he thinks should fix the hole. "That's a good question," he admitted. "But the end result is we're the ones being hurt."