A Villager has reportedly abandoned her home after sinkholes ravaged her villa community.
The home at 5986 Scardino St. in the Glenda Villas in the Village of Monarch Grove is causing consternation for the remaining neighbors, who have been riding out the sinkhole drama for nearly two years.
Sinkholes first opened up in August 2023 on Scardino Street. The City of Wildwood was responsible for repairing the sinkholes. Roads were torn up, orange barricades became the norm and residents had to pack up and relocate to a hotel. In October 2023, another sinkhole opened up.
In September 2024, yet another sinkhole was discovered at 5986 Scardino St. and the home was tagged by Sumter County as uninhabitable.
During a meeting Thursday of the Community Development District 12 Board of Supervisors at Everglades Recreation Center, a District official acknowledged that the homeowner has “walked away” from the property.
No remediation work is taking place to address the sinkhole, as it is located on private property. It’s making the neighbors very nervous.
Jim and Debbie Petkovic live next door. They are nervously keeping an eye on the sinkhole at the neighboring home.
“It is encroaching toward our sidewalk. Every rain, it grows and grows and grows,” Debbie Petkovic told the CDD 12 board. “Something has to be done.”
Her husband said the sinkhole drama is ruining his retirement.
“You work hard all your life and then you get this,” he said.
Other neighbors also voiced their concerns about safety.
Since the home has been apparently abandoned, including tall grass and weeds. A complaint has been made about the tall grass and weeds and the home is scheduled to go before the special master in a deed compliance hearing in August.