COTA bills Elroy resident $23,000 for water line
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Circuit of the Americas is billing an Elroy resident $23,000 for a water line track officials say they needed to move.
Don Haywood’s 10-acre property is bordered on three sides by the race track. COTA officials recently sued Haywood, claiming his buried water line was trespassing on their property.
"Since they bought the property between me and Elroy Road,” Haywood told YNN in February. “The water lines run underneath the property they purchased."
Track officials released a statement saying they have already replaced Haywood’s water line and are now owed the cost of that work.
“Circuit of The Americas installed a proper, relocated water line at a cost of approximately $23,000 which the Circuit paid for up front, so that work on the project could continue."
Haywood was advised by his lawyers to not speak with us on camera.
"As I understand it, he bought that property with the water line. Also, as I know, both Wandering Creek and COTA knew about the waterline when they bought the property," Elroy Neighborhood Association President Cathy Olive said.
Olive and her goats are watching the battle brewing across the street.
"He has had to pay for an attorney for over a year for no reason at all. First of all the water line is under a grass parking lot. What is it hurting?” Olive said.
The grass parking lot has been upgraded to gravel, and according to a track spokesperson speaking by phone, construction plans forced them to move the water line.
By phone Haywood told YNN he is contesting the $23,000 bill.