Bankrupt Developer Leaves Chicago Exurban Area Desolate

The first new residents of the Clublands subdivision were promised a neighborhood. Instead they live among half-finished homes, unpaved roads, and darkened street lights as the community's developer wrestles with bankruptcy.

1 minute read

December 9, 2007, 9:00 AM PST

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


"In his old neighborhood in Gurnee, Robert Gabriel was known for elaborate Halloween decorations.

He never imagined he'd end up living in a virtual ghost town.

Gabriel, his wife and children moved into an Antioch subdivision in April, before builder Neumann Homes declared bankruptcy last month. Now, he said, he worries about vandals, thieves and nasty critters creeping around his property, especially at night. Streetlights aren't installed, roads aren't paved and half-built homes stand as stark symbols of the builder's financial woes."

Thanks to M. Stenzel

Friday, December 7, 2007 in The Chicago Tribune

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