BUXTON, N.C. -- A former Coast Guard housing complex on the Outer Banks of North Carolina is without a buyer after county officials decided they don't want the maintenance headaches.

The Virginian Pilot of Norfolk, Va., reported that Dare County changed its mind about buying the property built in the 1990s for Coast Guard personnel and their families.

County officials thought about buying the 45-unit apartment complex at Cape Hatteras as affordable housing for teachers or other public employees in the beach community.

But the site has been empty for five years and needs a lot of repair.

Dare County officials last week told the National Park Service it would like a different 40 acres of the former Coast Guard base's land with paved streets and play areas for use as recreation areas and beach access.

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