In a pivotal move for the town of Eatonville, a major land deal promises to reshape the local community while preserving a significant segment of African American history. According to ClickOrlando, Dr. Phillips Charities has agreed to purchase 117 acres of the Hungerford property from Orange County Public Schools. The charity is known for increasing the percentage of owner-occupied homes and stabilizing communities, and its chairman, Terry Prather, stated, "We will work very, very hard to make sure that there’s little to no displacement of residents."
The Hungerford property holds substantial historical importance as it was once home to a pioneering institution for educating Black students during the era of segregation. Eatonville, founded in 1887 by freedmen and their descendants, stands as one of the country's first self-governing Black municipalities. The town mayor, Angie Gardner, lauded the agreement, telling ClickOrlando, “This is going to restore hope and bring about change. A necessary change and a growth period for our town and its residents.” Local opposition to previous proposals by outside developers has set the stage for this partnership that many feel is tailored to the needs, the aspirations of the Eatonville community.
Meanwhile, WESH reports that upon completion of the transfer following the Orange County School Board vote on September 30, Dr. Phillips Charities will oversee the development of the site in collaboration with the Town of Eatonville. The proposed plan includes notable additions to the community, such as expanded green spaces, an innovative early learning center with priority for local families and Hungerford Elementary staff, and a community hub. The full report also mentions that the organization will pay a significant amount of $1 million upfront as part of the agreement.
