EATONVILLE, Fla. – Town leaders in Eatonville are again weighing what comes next for one of the most high-profile and contentious pieces of land in the historic Black town: the former Hungerford Prep campus.
Leaders with Dr. Phillips Charities appeared before the Eatonville Town Council this week to discuss their plans for the 117-acre property, a tract near the center of town that supporters say could help spark new development, create jobs and generate new tax revenue. The land sits less than half a mile from Eatonville Town Hall, where the council workshop took place.
Hungerford was once one of the first schools for Black students in Florida, giving the site deep historical significance for many residents and families with ties to the campus.
Last year, the Orange County School Board approved the sale of the property to Dr. Phillips Charities, despite objections from some members of the Eatonville Town Council. The announcement was made about eight months ago, and the school board signed off nearly five months ago.
At the workshop, some council members criticized Dr. Phillips Charities, accusing the organization of not being transparent about its plans and communication with the town.
Dr. Phillips Charities representatives told council members the project would be largely self-funded but would also require other sources of money.
“We certainly will be funding a lot of this ourselves but other dollars need to come into it,” a representative said during the meeting.
One council member voiced frustration with what they described as limited communication and a lack of transparency surrounding the redevelopment effort.
Dr. Phillips Charities said it plans to break ground in October. However, the organization has not yet closed on the property.
The redevelopment proposal is tied to an advisory committee created in February. The committee includes legacy descendants and stakeholders in Eatonville.
This story will be updated as new details become available.