This is a 10 to 15-year plan to be voted on at a future meeting.<\/p>\n
Click here<\/a> to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here<\/a> to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.<\/p>\n
ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 A plan for Dr. Phillips Charities to purchase the 100-acre Hungerford property, located east of I-4 in Eatonville, is coming closer to reality. <\/p>\n
However, some Eatonville Town Council members asked that the town own the property, rather than Dr. Phillips Charities.<\/p>\n
Eatonville resident Joyce Irby wants what\u2019s best for the town. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s too many people trying to be in control.\u201d She\u2019s talking about the Eatonville Town Council asking the Orange County School District for ownership of the controversial Hungerford property. <\/p>\n
She says she\u2019s fine with The Dr. Phillips Foundation owning it instead. <\/p>\n
The non-profit charity offered to buy the 17-acre parcel for around $1 million and, in turn, develop the land with affordable housing, a community hub, a healthcare facility, a learning center, and a park. \u201cI was sitting back crying, thinking we\u2019re going to lose it again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Members of the Eatonville Town Council went before the board, blaming their mayor for negotiating the deal in secret. They requested a 90-day extension, stating that Dr. Phillips Charities never approached them, but were denied.<\/p>\n
Vice Mayor Theo Washington says, \u201cI wish that it came to us earlier. We never met yet, you know, as a council.\u201d <\/p>\n
But Washington hopes that in the future, after the deal is approved, if Dr. Phillips Charities starts selling property, they will give the city of Eatonville the first chance at buying it. <\/p>\n
Eatonville Community Redevelopment Agency Director Mike Johnson says, \u201cThe town council, at every turn, had expected the school board to lease purchase that property. They were blindsided. I was blindsided.\u201d But the CEO of the Dr. Phillips Foundation, Terry Prather, says they plan to be transparent: \u201cThere will be open books, they will be able to see every dollar that is spent, every dollar that\u2019s brought in.\u201d<\/p>\n
School Board members say they want what\u2019s best for Eatonville. Alicia Ferrant tells us, \u201cIt feels frustrating that it seems the council members want, from my perspective, it looks as though they are trying to sabotage what\u2019s right in front them. Amazing opportunity. \u201c Melissa Byrd is excited about moving forward, \u201cBiggest concern was making sure that whatever happened with this property, that it was the best thing for the people that it built, for the history that town deserves.\u201d<\/a> Joyce like the idea of moving forward, \u201cI\u2019m grateful to hear the members of the school board because it\u2019s gonna happen.\u201d<\/p>\n This is a 10 to 15-year plan to be voted on at a future meeting.<\/p>\n Click here<\/a> to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here<\/a> to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.<\/p>\n