Here's what an American is doing while awaiting a decision on a house threatened with demolition: 'He's doing more for the community than the politicians'

An American influencer named Justus Reid has been working tirelessly to renovate his home in Croatia’s Zagorje region while simultaneously addressing community projects, despite facing potential eviction due to unresolved legal issues with the property. In a recent video posted on his Instagram account, Reid detailed how he and his neighbor purchased materials, cut, sanded, and painted new wooden pillars to replace dangerous parts of the structure, making the playground safe for children. The footage shows the transformation of a neglected children's park into a secure space, highlighting Reid’s efforts to contribute positively to the local area. Reid, known for his renovation series of a house he bought for €5,000 in Zagorje, faced unexpected challenges after discovering that the house he had spent a year restoring was built over 40 years ago without proper land registration. According to local regulations, the house should not exist legally and must be demolished. Reid expressed surprise at this issue, stating he was unaware of such problems during the purchase or renovation process. He noted that many homes in the village face similar documentation issues, but he is the only one who received a notice regarding the situation. Despite these difficulties, Reid continues to work on other projects. On social media, followers can track his progress in renovating a bunker he bought for €8,000 as temporary accommodation. Additionally, he aims to repay his debt to the community that supported him significantly during his home renovation. His latest initiative, titled “Renewing My Community,” has garnered widespread positive feedback, demonstrating the impact of collective effort in achieving meaningful results. The video uploaded to his Instagram profile documents the transformation of a neglected children's park, which Reid described as a "death trap" for children due to rotting wooden beams. With substantial help from neighbors, Reid embarked on the project, purchasing materials, cutting, sanding, and painting new wooden pillars to replace the hazardous parts of the structure. This action made the playground safe for young children. However, this was just the beginning. On another part of the park, a neighbor used a small excavator to remove remnants of an old sandbox, preparing the ground for a surprise. Together, they poured concrete foundations and installed a durable outdoor table resistant to all weather conditions. Despite the rain starting to fall, they continued their work. The video concludes with heartwarming scenes of children and adults enjoying the renovated park, playing ping-pong and laughing safely on the playground. Reid concluded the video description with a brief message: “I’m back! Regular posts are returning!!!”, signaling the start of new projects despite the recent issues with legalizing his own home, which faces the threat of demolition. Reid’s initiative has generated considerable enthusiasm among his followers. Comments under the post reflect the significance of his work for the local community and people throughout the region. One user wrote, “My brother does more for the community than the local politicians,” encapsulating the sentiment of many. Others humorously suggested he run for mayor of the village. A participant in the action highlighted, “I was there and can say Justus really works, not just films. Filming is only two percent of what you see. He is very proud of what he does and is committed to it.”