ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 A historic Orlando site that once housed the city\u2019s first hospital dedicated to serving Black residents could soon become a hub for affordable housing and health care.<\/p>\n
The Orlando Housing Authority purchased the 5.3-acre site from Guardian Care on John Young Parkway for about $2.75 million.<\/p>\n
The authority is now exploring plans to redevelop the property, with a preliminary proposal calling for 106 to 120 affordable housing units, along with space for health care services and community amenities.<\/p>\n
The site once housed Dr. P. Phillips Memorial Hospital, which provided critical medical care to Black residents during segregation, when access to health care was limited.<\/p>\n
Eloise Abrahams, who is associated with Guardian Care Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, recalled the barriers Black patients faced during that era.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt that time it was a deep heart of segregation and black people could only receive acute care services in what is now the basement of Arlington Health,\u201d Abrahams said. \u201cCan you imagine lying sick in your bed, looking up at the ceiling with pipes running over?\u201d<\/p>\n
The hospital served as an important resource for Black families who had few options for receiving medical treatment.<\/p>\n
Now, the Orlando Housing Authority hopes to give the property a new purpose while preserving its historical significance.<\/p>\n
Ayub Fleming with the housing authority said plans could also incorporate amenities such as gyms, meeting spaces, libraries and computer rooms, along with health care services.<\/p>\n
The partnership marks the housing authority\u2019s first time working directly with a health care facility, according to officials.<\/p>\n
Vivian Bryant, president and CEO of the Orlando Housing Authority, said preserving the site\u2019s history is a priority as redevelopment plans take shape.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe may rebuild or replica of one of the hospital rooms or the medical doctors facilities,\u201d Bryant said. \u201cBut we definitely plan to preserve the history of this facility because we don\u2019t want that to go away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Plans for the property remain in the early stages. Officials said the project could be completed in about three years.<\/p>\n
If realized, the redevelopment would bring affordable housing and potential health care services to the site while preserving a piece of Orlando\u2019s Black history.<\/p>\n
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