That lavish $7 million clubhouse at the Reserve in Brighton, the one with the pool, movie theater and personal wine lockers that helped persuade people to put down their roots in the exclusive residential community along the Erie Canal?

Its doors have been locked and the Reserve’s residents, who ostensibly own the building, have no key.

"It’s a disaster," said Jim Reinish, who's lived at the Reserve for nearly four years. "In fact, in a further symbolic move, they put 'no trespassing' signs in the windows of the clubhouse and on all the doors."

Residents said the locks were changed and the signs put up by Anthony J. Costello & Son Development, the company that built the complex.

The 63-acre Reserve was to have been local developer Anthony J. Costello’s crowning achievement, and the clubhouse its centerpiece. But Costello died in March 2016, leaving the residential development largely unfinished.

The Reserve, as well as CityGate on East Henrietta Road and other Costello developments, have languished ever since.

As family members squabble over Costello's estate in a closed court proceeding, his company appears to be stiffing creditors and neglecting its property taxes.

The problems may be most acute at the Reserve, which is located off South Clinton Avenue on the north side of the canal.

Brighton Reserve::An exclusive Costello community under a cloud

Homeowners' association fees were supposed to pay for residential maintenance, street and sidewalk plowing, grass cutting and operation of the clubhouse. But maintenance companies quit because they weren't being paid, forcing residents to buy lawn mowers and make their own arrangements to clear snow.

The clubhouse lock-out occurred March 1, when an unidentified person arrived and unceremoniously changed the numerical key for the electronic lock on the front door. The place has been dark and unoccupied ever since, residents say.

No notice was given, though residents and their lawyer said it’s clear who changed the locks.

"The supposition, of course, is that that was done by the (project) sponsor, Costello," said the lawyer, Alan J. De Peters. "We’ve not had any confirmation of that officially."

Brett Costello, who succeeded his father as the company's chief executive, did not return a call for comment. Two lawyers representing the company were asked for comment but provided none.

More:CityGate developer sues to reinstate tax deal, claims project is in 'grave jeopardy'

Anchor for 300 residential units

The Reserve was intended to contain more than 300 residential units but fewer than 50 homes have been built and occupied. Further development ground to a halt months ago. Tax liens on some of the undeveloped parcels have been sold, placing them at risk for foreclosure.

Sources told the Democrat and Chronicle last year that Monroe County Surrogate's Judge John Owens, who is overseeing resolution of the Costello estate, ordered that the Reserve and other assets be sold.

Residents say they’ve seen no signs of buyer interest.

Frustrated homeowners filed suit in December, asking that control of the homeowners association be stripped from the Costello company and given to the residents. They also want Costello to reimburse homeowner funds. The suit is pending.

Reinish said Costello threatened to lock residents out of the clubhouse a month or so ago after the residents turned down a proposed settlement of the lawsuit.

The clubhouse and surrounding grounds are in an odd legal limbo. They are owned by the homeowners association, according to county property and tax records. But the residents say Costello never retired mortgages on the property and turned over the deed.

"In reality, we paid for a portion of the clubhouse when we made our initial purchase. We have now been locked out," said Barry Shapiro, who also has lived there nearly four years. "Is this not a deceptive practice?"

Brighton Reserve::An exclusive Costello community under a cloud

More:CityGate developer sues to reinstate tax deal, claims project is in 'grave jeopardy'

More:Awash in debt and ill will, Anthony J Costello & Son loses CityGate tax breaks

More:Homeowners in Brighton development on Erie Canal sue beleaguered Costello

SORR@Gannett.com