Homeowners in one local subdivision are up in arms over a neighboring structure they say is not just lowering their property value, but is also a danger to area children.

A short drive into Mill Stone Manor off of Lexington Avenue and the impact of the abandoned property can be seen. A slab and three basement walls are all that stand, with piles of trash, building materials and graded dirt surrounding the incomplete structure. Now overgrown due to neglect, there is little doubt that the building process was abandoned long ago.

Real estate developer and builder Randy Summit, who sold the lot at 220 Santa Fe Circle to Scott Prince of Prince Builders, LLC in 2005, said the property now is affecting the value and selling price of other homes in the neighborhood.

“Everyone my real estate agent shows the house to, that’s the first question out of their mouth. ‘When is something going to been done about that property?’” Summit said.

Summit’s agent, Donna Lambeth of Ed Price Realtors in Archdale, estimated that Summit suffered a 15 to 20 percent loss on the last two properties he sold in Mill Stone, and that the abandoned structure contributed.

“Needless to say, the last house we sold was way below what Randy sold his other houses for, because of that [property],” Lambeth said.

While both Lambeth and Summit acknowledge the slumping economy and real estate industry are an issue in home sales, they say the property just adds to the problem.

“We don’t need any more of a deterrent of being able to sell a home and there‘s a structure like that sitting in the middle of such a nice subdivision,” Lambeth said. “We just don’t need anymore obstacles.”

Ken Hepler, planning and zoning administrator for the City of Thomasville, said that the initial building permit for the structure was issued to Prince in November of 2005. Prince had the land cleared and the existing structure erected, but construction ceased on July 10, 2006.

Residents of Mill Stone Manor submitted a petition to the city on April, 8, 2009, asking for the property to be condemned. However, the city issued another building permit to Prince on July 23, 2009.

Hepler, along with neighboring residents, says that other than coming to clear the overgrowth and remove some trash, no construction was performed on the house during the six months the building permit was active.

“On July 23, 2009, we gave him a new building permit, basically because he said to us, ‘Give me one more chance,’” Hepler said. “As you can see, nothing happened. He didn’t do anything to the structure.”

Hepler said according to state law, if no work has been done on a home within six months, the city can void the permit. A notice of condemnation on the property was issued by the city building inspector Michael Cranford on Jan. 14, 2010.

During a called hearing on Jan. 25,2010, the city ordered the structure demolished by Prince, deeming it “especially dangerous to life, health and other property because of its walls, broken windows, and incomplete construction.”

According to Hepler, Prince again asked for a building permit — a request that was denied by the city.

However, Helpler said Thursday, that if Prince can prove “that sufficient funds to complete this project will be allocated,” the City would issue another building permit to complete the home.

“In good conscience I couldn’t deny him if he did that,” Hepler said. “That would tell me he’s used due diligence to seek funding and that he’s going to finish the house. We try to let the very last resource be demolishing a structure.

“If it becomes a neighbor issue, we’ll invite them to the city council meeting and let them discuss their displeasure.”

If after the 60 days, the structure hasn’t been demolished it will be sent to council to determine if the city will proceed with demolition. If approved, Prince will have another 30 days to remove the structure on his own. If that doesn’t happen, the city will accept the lowest bid for demolition and a lien will be placed on the home in order for the city to recoup the costs.

“I feel a lot of people in this neighborhood would come to the meeting and say that this is devaluing our property and that it’s an eyesore,” Hepler said.

Thomas Bragg, whose property is next door to the condemned structure, also is feeling the full impact of having such a property as a neighbor. Bragg has had his home on the market since October without a single showing. He has since reduced his asking price from $177,000 — the home’s appraised value — to $140,000.

Although Bragg is upset by the loss he will have to take on his home, safety of the children in the area is his main concern.

“It’s a hazard to children here,” Bragg said. “It definitely affects property value, but it’s really more about safety for children in the area.”

That leaves Summit and other neighbors to question how long they’ll have to endure the fallout from Prince’s neglect.

“My opinion is if this was beside the city attorney or mayor’s house, it’d already be gone,” Bragg said. “Someone can’t leave an abandoned car at an apartment, or Walmart, or City Hall, so why this house?”

Prince declined comment when reached by phone Thursday.