ORLANDO, Fla. — Despite some pushback from the public, Orange County Public Schools finalized the $14 million sale of the Hungerford property in Eatonville to Dr. Phillips Charities.
According to the nonprofit, plans to develop the 117 acres include building an early learning center, health care facility, history museum and green space.
What You Need To Know
On Tuesday, Orange County Public Schools approved the sale of the Hungerford Property to Dr. Phillips Charities for $14 million
The purchase will allow the nonprofit to develop the 117 acres of land — which includes plans for the construction of an early learning center, health care facility, history museum and green space
Eatonville Town Council Members and residents shared their disapproval of the deal during Tuesday’s meeting, but ultimately said they hope to work with Dr. Phillips Charities moving forward
An advisory council is set to be put together to help guide decisions
The vote by the OCPS board was unanimous — and one that members of the board said was guided, in part, by Eatonville Mayor Angie Gardner,
“Moreover, she publicly stated that she came to realize that the town did not have the expertise, the experience, the financial wherewithal and the personnel to develop this property on its own,” said OCPS District 6 Board Member Stephanie Vanos. “And I find this assessment by the mayor of the town to be extremely influential.”
But the vote did not sit well with everyone.
Just last week, the Eatonville Town Council sought more time to submit its own bid for the property, and people both from Eatonville and across the county said they had issues with how the project came together.
“The community of Eatonville should be partners in this decision, not an afterthought,” said Orange County resident Colston Frye. “We understand the choices being made and the work being done is challenging, but I encourage the board to reach out collaborate with community partners.”
“I totally disagree with the terms of the real estate purchase agreement,” said Eatonville Town Councilwoman Wanda Randolph. “We could have been offered the same.”
Now, as the deal moves forward, Eatonville leaders said that while this deal was not their preference, they hope to move forward with some form of collaboration with the Dr. Phillips Charities.
“Am I happy with it? No, I am not,” Eatonville Town Councilman Tarus Mack said. “But I am looking forward to a brighter future.”
Ultimately, the deciding factor in Tuesday’s vote may have been the years OCPS spent trying to reach an agreement on what to do with the 117-acre property.
“The costs of inaction, the cost of another eight extensions, the cost of going back to request a proposal is really high,” said OCPS Board Vice Chair Maria Salamanca. “It’s higher than it’s ever been over the last decades that we have owned this land.”
The next steps are for an advisory council to be put together to help guide decisions, and officials with Dr. Phillips Charities say there is a chance that down the line, some of the property can be given back to the town of Eatonville.