EATONVILLE, Fla. – Debate continues about future of historic Hungerford site in Eatonville, once a pioneering institution for Black students.
On Tuesday, an Orange County School Board workshop gave Eatonville town council members a chance to offer input on an agreement to redevelop the former Hungerford site.
Last September, the Orange County School Board entered into an agreement to sell the historic Hungerford site to Dr. Phillips Charities, with some provisions.
John Palmerini, general counsel for Orange County Public Schools, explained it during the workshop.
[PREVIOUS COVERAGE: After Hungerford controversy, Eatonville council seeks to clarify what mayor can, cannot do]
“It is a $14 million and you will see that there are certain amounts being forgiven for certain projects that are being contemplated in this agreement,” he said.
Dr. Phillips Charities would have to put up $1 million upfront and would be contractually obligated to create a community green space and pavilion, an early learning center, a community hub and health care facility and a history museum. According to Palmerini, following completion, the greenspace and the pavilion will be donated to the Town of Eatonville. These investments can be recouped over time.
“Let’s say Dr. Phillips purchases the land and does absolutely nothing, and they do absolutely nothing for the 10-year compliance period; they would then owe us $13 million for the remainder of the purchase contract,” Palmerini added.
[PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Orange County School Board unanimously approves Eatonville deal for historic Hungerford property]
The agreement was approved after the Eatonville town council voted 4-1 to recommend that Orange County Public Schools reject it. The council argued that they, not the charity, should decide the land’s future.
Several council members expressed the same sentiment the workshop.
“Our concern is basically about survival, what is in our best interest,” Eatonville Council member Wanda Randolph told the school board. “The contract does not really agree to the values and objectives that we have for Eatonville. We’re looking for financial stability for the next years to come.”
Randolph and several other council members asked the board to consider allowing them to bring a plan of purchase before the school board votes on the contract with Dr. Phillips Charities.
“I believe in Eatonville we should have the consideration to own the property 100 percent. We asked for a 90-day extension to bring back facts, figures and our plan to get this done. We can get this done in the same manner as Dr. Phillips,” Randolph explained. “However, we would like to work with them.”
Dr. Phillips Charities explained they plan to make this redevelopment a transparent process by creating an advisory committee dedicated to it.
“Their role is to be that conduit between Dr. Phillips Charities and the town. Once the land purchase is done, we will begin to recruit members,” Dr. Phillips Charities Chair Terry Prather said. “This is to protect the town and hold Dr. Phillips Charities accountable. The committee will be responsible for communicating between the two. There will be full transparency.”