PARRAMORE

WFTV: Orlando City Council approves plan to improve, expand homeless services in Parramore Homeless shelters and services in Orlando’s Parramore area are set to expand. (Demie Johnson, WFTV.com/WFTV)ORLANDO, Fla. — Homeless shelters and services in Orlando’s Parramore area are set to expand. READ: State leaders call on governor to take on thrill ride bill to protect ridersCity leaders and homeless advocates say the project is well overdue. The project expands the Salvation Army, Homeless Coalition, and Christian Service Center of Central Florida, which are all located in Parramore. READ: Lower-income workers lead Orlando’s wage growthSome of the people who live in the area say the plan is problematic.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Police responded to Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood Wednesday morning after reports of a shooting. Police did not give many details, but said that person was taken to hospital and is expected to survive. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 10 Police investigation near downtown Orlando (WFTV.com News Staff)Investigators also said they aren’t sure what led up to the shooting and have not been able to pinpoint the specific location where it happened. READ: Family’s Florida vacation ends with 2 dead, 2 injured in apparent murder-suicideNearby, along Jernigan Avenue near South Street, a Channel 9 crew saw several Orlando police units and crime scene tape surrounding a car with bullet holes. Here’s whyStay with WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates on this developing story.

Orlando police Chief Orlando Rolón will host a news conference Thursday morning from the department’s headquarters in Parramore.

A pink house seen on W. Washington Street in the Parramore community will soon be known as Ms. Betty Resilience Hub Learning Center.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A new park honoring those who lived lives of service in Orlando’s Parramore and Holden Heights communities is coming to Parramore. Luminary Green is a new 2.3-acre park that will soon open in the Creative Village section of the Parramore Heritage Neighborhood. To honor their legacy ground-mounted light fixtures featuring the Luminaries’ names will be permanently displayed at the park. In January, the city of Orlando opened up nominations to select the inaugural class of 12 Luminaries. Over time, additional Luminaries will be added for a total of up to 26 Luminaries honored in the park.

Two men were wounded in a shootout in Orlando, police say.

Two men were wounded in a shootout in Orlando, police say.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. A developer with plans to bring a large mixed-used project to Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood told the Orlando Business Journal the project is still moving forward, albeit with some revisions. SEE: Take a look inside Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic RewindTimothy Green is the lead developer for Parramore City Towers, a project aiming to bring three highrise towers to a block located directly west of the Amway Center. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website. Read: Cinco de Mayo 2022: 5 places to get food, drink dealsVideo: Crews begin to demolish 7-Eleven near Lake Eola to build green space (Q McCray, WFTV.com)©2022 Cox Media Group

Dozens of companies came together Friday to bring job opportunities to people in Parramore and surrounding communities.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Are you looking for a job? More than 40 companies will attend “The Great Hire Event” in Parramore on Friday. Companies including Walt Disney World, Orlando Health, Rosen Hotels & Resorts and Coca-Cola will be looking for candidates. The event is designed to bring career opportunities to Parramore residents and the surrounding communities, organizers said. READ: Lime introduces fleet of new, more sustainable e-scootersIf you attend the event, be prepared for an interview.

Short stretches of Church Street and Central Boulevard near Exploria Stadium in downtown Orlando will be closed Sunday as the Orlando City Lions take on the New York Red Bulls.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The American Red Cross of Central Florida educated residents on fire safety Saturday. TIMELINE: 14-year-old boy dies after falling from ICON Park free fall rideVolunteers teamed up with the Orlando Fire Department to go door-to-door in the Parramore community. They were able to install 29 smoke alarms in homes. Photos: American Red Cross installs free smoke alarms in Parramore, educates residents on fire safetyExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 10 American Red Cross installs free smoke alarms in Parramore, educates residents on fire safetyThe groups were able to service 58 homes last Saturday in the area. Officials said making communities safer is the main reason the Red Cross launched the Home Fire Campaign back in 2014.

SEE: World’s longest car, complete with helipad and jacuzzi, cruises into OrlandoMembers of the American Red Cross of Central Florida and Orlando Fire Rescue headed out into the neighborhood on Saturday. They installed 83 free smoke alarms in nearly 60 homes. Photos: Orange County firefighters, Red Cross volunteers install free smoke alarms in ParramoreExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 4 Orange County firefighters, Red Cross volunteers install free smoke alarms in ParramoreFirefighters also helped educate people living in the Parramore community about home fire safety. READ: Florida spring break shooting: 3 shot in South BeachThis was all part of the American Red Cross’ Home Fire Campaign, which started in 2014. AdventHealth is seeking to fill hundreds of positions across Central FloridaThe American Red Cross said it responds to a disaster every eight minutes, and the vast majority are home fires that claim around seven lives every day.

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, Red Cross volunteers and Orlando firefighters joined community members for the in-person "Sound the Alarm" event in Parramore.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Parramore Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan and the historic restoration of the Parramore neighborhood are getting a big boost after the state awarded $2 million in grants to three different projects. The Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture received a $500,000 grant to help in phase two if its revitalization. Read: “It’s unlimited what can happen:” Parramore area earns Orlando “Main Street” designationAnother grant recipient is the Maxey-Crooms House at 638 W. Anderson Street. The historic house was built in 1924 and received $1 million for restoration. The Maxey-Crooms House was declared an Orlando Historic Landmark in 1989.

WATCH: Vanessa Echols hosts ‘Getting Real about Central Florida’s Black history’Located just west of Interstate 4 near downtown Orlando, visitors and residents will see three new murals called “An Ode to Parramore: Three Walls. One Community.”Photos: Local artists unveil new murals celebrating history, heart and heritageExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 11 Local artists unveil new murals celebrating history, heart and heritageParramore Main Street and Art of Collab recruited local artists who focused their visions on the history, heritage and the heart of Parramore. People who live in the neighborhood got to give their input on what they wanted to see on the murals. WATCH: Remembering Jonestown: Orlando’s first African American communityThe Orlando City Council voted to establish Parramore as its own Orlando Main Street last week, creating another arm that will specifically serve the Parramore community and black-owned businesses and neighborhoods. “Murals are a true piece of community public art,” Natasha Gaye, Parramore Main Street’s executive director, said.

A crowd joined a trio of artists in Orlando’s Parramore community Saturday — recently designated the Parramore Main Street District — to rally around three newly unveiled murals.

‘An Ode to Parramore’ mural to be unveiled Saturday during community celebrationORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando city leaders will unveil a mural on Saturday to celebrate the history of Parramore. READ: New low-cost airline offering flights from Orlando to Europe starting at $129The mural, called “An Ode to Parramore: Three Walls. One Community,” will be debuted in a celebration of Parramore being established as an Orlando Main Street. The event will kick off at 12 p.m. at Parramore Heritage Park at the National Register Historic District Sign at 732 W Church Street. Since October 2021, City District Main Street has mentored the Parramore neighborhood to help it transition as an independent district.

The goal: to bring in local business while preserving the history of the neighborhood.

A youth center in Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood is losing its space.

The center celebrated its 17th year of providing after-school care and summer programs to youth in Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood.

ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando pastor said there is a constant, unwanted, large gathering in Parramore in the center of the nationally registered historic district. Residents want the blocked streets and trash stopped and many said they’ve reached out to police for help several times a week for months. READ: Local program teaches Parramore teens the art of public speakingHe said it’s usually a group of 150 to 200 people blocking the streets. Some say the crowd stems from people gathering and paying people to sign petitions, but no one really knows. While Channel 9 was in the area on Monday, police arrived on the scene and as quickly as the crowd scattered they came right back.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A program is teaching Parramore teens the art of public speaking. Well Said empowers kids to do something different and is changing the narrative of what it means to be Black in America. He said that he has learned a lot from the 12-week program. READ: Coronavirus: Mother reunited with her kids after 100 days in the hospitalWell Said has laid its roots in Parramore, teaching teens to communicate clearly and with confidence. To learn more about the program, click here.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is giving a State of Downtown address Monday afternoon at Exploria Stadium in the city's Parramore neighborhood.

Parramore Main Street gets a boost with Day of Service City leaders, volunteers and community members help with a variety of beautification projects throughout the Parramore commercial district. Dozens of volunteers flooded the streets of Parramore today as part of the Day of Service. The program was made possible through a partnership with the city’s Main Street Day, the city of Orlando and Wells Fargo’s HOPE campaign. Candice Simmons with Wells Fargo hopes the money gives businesses a boost to help them navigate the holiday season as the pandemic continues to impact people. Volunteers like Tatonia Scott said taking part in the Day of Service is an opportunity to spread some holiday cheer.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando police said one person was hurt in a shooting in the Parramore area. The shooting happened as people were gathered to remember a 15-year-old who was shot and killed at the same place exactly a year ago. Around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, police were called to the intersection of Columbia Street and Parramore Avenue. READ: Gunfire erupts at vigil for teen shot to death a year ago in ParramoreSomeone was hit by a stray bullet while sitting inside a home along Columbia Street. It is not clear if the shooting has any connection to the vigil that was taking place.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando Police are on scene of a shooting investigation along Columbia Street in Parramore. The shooting took place sometime after 10:30 p.m. at the same location where, exactly a year ago, a 15-year-old was shot while he stood on his grandmother’s front porch. Police said the victim was Antwan Roberts Jr.READ: Teen shot dead on Parramore front porch, Orlando police search for killerCommunity members said Roberts was a member of the local boys and girls club, visiting the community center nearly everyday. Orlando police Chief Orlando Rolon said his agency got a 911 call and an OPD sergeant happened to be nearby. The sergeant found Roberts shot to death.

Orlando's historic Black Bottom House of Prayer has until Nov. 30 to raise nearly $250,000.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley joined a group of volunteers to hand out hundreds of fresh Thanksgiving meals to Parramore residents in need Thursday. Homeless shelter guests and neighbors in need received 244,737 meals last year at the Coalition. You made this possible.... Posted by Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida on Tuesday, November 16, 2021Volunteer Latanya Porter agrees, giving back is important. According to the coalition, one in seven people in Central Florida may experience food insecurity this year. Nearly 250,000 Coalition shelter guests received free meals last year.

Two days before Thanksgiving, dozens of people living at Jackson Court apartments in Orlando's Parramore neighborhood were treated to a food giveaway.

Wednesday, FAMU leaders unveiled a new street name in front of the school to celebrate 20 years in downtown Orlando.

An Orlando area barber who lost everything in a fire last weekend said he's overwhelmed with the support he's received from customers, developers, residents, city leaders, county leaders and state leaders.

A well-known barbershop in the Parramore community is damaged after a fire late Friday, according to officials.

City officials were joined by community leaders on Thursday to install a sign recognizing the Parramore neighborhood as a National Register Historic District.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A new grant designed to reduce the impact of air pollution on the people who live in the Parramore community is off to a good start. The $120,000 grant will provide resources to study the prevalence of asthma and other respiratory diseases on Parramore residents, a community that now backs into the I-4 Ultimate project. “Remnants of the plant are still around and that’s what we’re dealing with today, the air quality and soil contamination,” Gelzer said. READ: “Everything’s out of whack”: Parramore Oaks residents raise concerns about community safetyThe project started in 2015 with flying dust and other unknown pollutants in the air. Gezer said once residents are trained to do the air quality devices, the quality will be tracked for six months before the data is set to the EPA to study.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando city leaders want to bring Parramore back to its glory days. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and district 5 city commissioner Regina Hill have big plans for the corner of Jernigan Avenue and Conley Street. “We want to make it so that anyone who wants to live in Orlando can live in Orlando,” Dyer said. It also makes sure there’s access to quality, safe and affordable housing options in the community. The price of the homes hasn’t been set yet, but the goal is to have these homes built and move-in ready by early next year.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A shooting at a Parramore area park Wednesday left neighboring residents concerned about safety in their community. Riley Park in Parramore. “I thought it was right outside of this wall,” said Tiffany Hughes, whose office sits just steps away from the park. “Everything is getting out of whack,” Parramore Oaks resident Paris Johnson said. ”There’s drugs everywhere.”READ: Orlando apartment rents spike 18% since the start of 2021Johnson says the new complex has actually added to the safety issues in the community.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Three people were injured in a drive-by shooting Wednesday afternoon near Parramore, the Orlando Police Department said. Read: 12 cases of Delta variant found in Orange County, officials sayPolice said the shooting was reported shortly before 4:30 p.m. on South Parramore Avenue near West Gore Street. See a map of the scene below:SHOOTING INVESTIGATION: Our officers are now at the scene of a shooting at the 1000 block of S Parramore Ave. Parramore Ave south to Piedmont St is closed. Media, please remain in the area of Parramore & Gore (Liquor Store Parking Lot) as officers conduct their investigation. pic.twitter.com/IRvmuxKnFI — Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 23, 2021©2021 Cox Media Group

ORLANDO, Fla. — Three people were found dead in an apartment building in Parramore on Wednesday. Police were called shortly before 11:15 a.m. to the building on West South Street near South Westmoreland Drive, not far from the Orlando Police Department’s headquarters. The property manager said it appears the people died of carbon-monoxide poisoning. Check back for updates, and watch a live report on Channel 9 Eyewitness News at 4 by clicking here. Read: LIVE RADAR: Storms rolling through Central FloridaSee a map of the scene below:>>> DOWNLOAD THE WFTV NEWS APP <<<>>> DOWNLOAD THE WFTV WEATHER APP <<<©2021 Cox Media Group

Brewery, food trucks in Parramore A battle is brewing over a proposal that would bring 25 food trucks and a brewery to Parramore by the fall. (WFTV.com News Staff)ORLANDO, Fla. — A battle is brewing over a proposal that would bring 25 food trucks and a brewery to Parramore by the fall. Some local residents are pushing back against the idea and say that a city ordinance should have kept the proposal from getting approved. READ: FDLE agent, suspect injured in shooting amid drug operation at Kissimmee apartment complexIn February, the city’s municipal planning board received an application to build a brewery with room for 25 food trucks along Robinson Street. The city’s municipal planning board will hold a hearing to discuss this issue in July.

The Monroe restaurant, named after a famous Black activist, held its grand opening in downtown Orlando's Creative Village on Tuesday.

The Kidz Zones will open up in Holden Heights, Mercy Drive and Engelwood.

click to enlarge Photo via ORRAThe new paver borders at the Parramore Community Garden. click to enlarge Photo via ORRAParramore Community Garden president Lynn Nicholson and ORRA director Candy Cole. The neighborhood of Parramore is still uniquely underserved when it comes to groceries. The historic community on the west side of Orlando has done for itself for years, with activists building and maintaining a garden in a formerly trash-filled vacant lot over the last decade. The Parramore Community Garden helps to provide healthy options to people struggling with food insecurity,” ORRA Executive Director Candy Cole said in a press release.

The Orlando Police Department said they are searching for a missing 12-year-old kid. ORLANDO, Fla. – ***10:45 A.M. UPDATE***Orlando Police said that a missing 12-year-old was found safe Friday. OPD said Ingram was found by deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. — Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) February 19, 2021***ORIGINAL STORY***The Orlando Police Department said they are searching for a missing 12-year-old kid. Police said Javon Ingraham was last seen wearing a white shirt, blue shorts and black sneakers.

Dr. and Mrs. Wells about 20 years after the Wells' Built Hotel was constructed. (Credit: Wells' Built Museum)ORLANDO, Fla. – Travelers will get to learn about Central Florida Black history this month at the Orlando International Airport with the help of a new temporary exhibit. The Wells’Built Museum of African American History & Culture, in the Parramore neighborhood, opened the exhibition this week highlighting Central Florida Black legends. Wells built the entertainment venue South Street Casino to help bring African American artists to the Central Florida area. (Credit: Wells Built Museum)However, the exhibit at OIA is just a sampling of what the Wells’Built Museum has to offer.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The New Image Youth Center in Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood is known as the “good in the hood.”Dr. Shanta Barton-Stubbs founded the center when she was just 21 years old. Barton-Stubbs also wrote a book called “There is Good in My Hood,” which is the story of a young boy who finds support at a community center. How that can literally change your life -- and in return, that every child can be the good in their hood. You can purchase a copy of “There is Good in My Hood” here. To volunteer with or donate to the New Image Youth Center, visit them online.

“A lady gave us a free vending machine. She wanted us to get into the snack business,” said Street Team Movement Founder Briana Daniel. In response, they created hygiene vending machines, filled with items like toothpaste, ponchos, tampons and other sanitary items. Overcoming those obstacles, the Street Team Movement continued their vision of offering free hygiene supplies through the vending machines. The other four hygiene vending machines are expected to be installed in the next few months around Orlando.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida in Parramore hosted a drive-thru college fair Thursday evening. High school senior Morgan Burnett attended the event and said she was relieved the event was organized. The drive-thru college fair provided prospective students with scholarship opportunities, college admissions material, and financial aid. Representatives from local and state universities and colleges were on hand to answer questions. “It’s given me so many opportunities to see plenty of different schools,” Toney said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Access and exposure for children in Parramore are the goals for the head chef at a new restaurant opening Wednesday at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando hotel. On Tuesday, a group of Parrramore Kidz Zone participants got to tour the new restaurant and assist with the grand opening of Knife & Spoon at the five-star hotel. The new eatery is known for its tasty steak and seafood, but for head chef Gerald Sombright, the experience for the children goes way beyond the food. The restaurant is also vowing to a give a portion of its proceeds this year to the Parramore Kidz Zone. Tuesday, he and many of the children from the Parramore Kidz Zone got to tour the hotel, fine dine at the new restaurant and speak with the head chef.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando city commissioners voted this week to approve $1 million to help fund the My Brother’s Keeper program, expanding it to four new neighborhoods throughout the city. The program is a national initiative started by President Barack Obama aimed at helping minority youth reach their full potential. He said he turned his life around thanks to the My Brother’s Keeper Program. Raysean Brown also mentors kids in Parramore and is a former coordinator for the My Brother’s Keeper program. You can read more about the My Brother’s Keeper Program and ways to get involved here.

The order stops the Census Bureau from winding down operations until a court hearing is held on Sept. 17. In an empty lot along Westmoreland Drive, Elder Anthony Davis and members of his outreach ministry preach to the Parramore community. A Census mobile unit joined them to help boost the response rate, something Davis said the community needs. The new order by a federal judge keeps the census bureau from winding down operations until a court hearing in mid-September. The mobile census unit stuck around for about three hours to help neighbors complete the survey.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police officer Darius Barker was born and raised in Orlando’s historically black community of Parramore. Barker became an Orlando police officer in Parramore, the neighborhood where he grew up. OPD partners with Boys 2 Men Mentoring, a Parramore-based program founded in 2016 by Pastor Daniel Ings. You can learn more about Boys 2 Men Mentoring by clicking here. The Orlando Police Department now has 22 youth outreach liaison officers who’ve volunteered for the position.

ORLANDO, Fla. Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill has partnered with the Sports + Entertainment District to bring free COVID-19 testing to the Parramore area on Saturday. Testing will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Geico Garage located at 400 W. South St. in Orlando. Drive-thru and walk-up options will be available to anyone 18 and older who has an appointment. District 5 residents whod like to get tested during the event should keep in mind that masks are required and the space is not air conditioned. Quest Diagnostics will process the 500 nasal swab tests that are performed that day.

On Saturday, that mission led a basketball legend and a philanthropist to Parramore. Victor Cherry, a Parramore resident and inspirational speaker, uses his life experience to mentor youth around the world. Like Shammgod, Cherry also has a passion for giving back. Cherry is a former coach for The Boys & Girls Club and wanted to give back because he says he saw the need for it in the Parramore community. “Especially for me being good at basketball, people in the neighborhood helped my mom out with bills and stuff, so I’ve always come up with wanting to give back and wanting to be more than just a basketball player,” Shammgod said.

ORLANDO, Fla. Many businesses are still in the process of reopening, but there are lots of restrictions in place aimed at keeping everyone healthy. "I did work with PPP to help the other businesses in the area to help them Properly fill out their application," said Crosier. She said she's held regular meetings with many downtown and Parramore area businesses, helping them find resources. All of our businesses, each has their unique need, so we try to cater those needs, said Rosangela Parker. The Church Street District has a Facebook page to encourage downtown area businesses to share their reopening and safety plans.

PARRAMORE, Fla. – Tuesday afternoon, the Orlando Police Department's Special Operations Unit raided three houses in the Parramore neighborhood and arrested nearly a dozen people that police say are responsible for much of the violence plaguing the community. "This community deserves better," Bigelow said. Bigelow said last month an armed carjacking in Parramore stemmed from a drug deal gone bad. Bobby Sullivan, a Parramore resident of 42 years, watched a raid from his apartment next door to one of the suspected drug houses. They [drug dealers] are harassing me, I can't sleep at night, they harass me all night, sell drugs all night.

More affordable housing has opened in the area and the Orlando City soccer stadium is drawing in new restaurants and shops. Crosier said he also wants to preserve the rich history of the area and encourage other people in the area to open small businesses. “I just hope everybody can last longer enough to see the full effect of the changes,” Crosier said. “We are trying to make sure we maintain the small businesses that are in Parramore,” Hill said. To read more about business incentives and services offered by the city of Orlando to assist small businesses, click here.

Six adults were displaced after a house fire in Parramore. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000.

Parramore residents want to preserve history as area growsPublished: January 23, 2020, 6:34 pmThe face of Orlando's Parramore community is changing by the day and if you ask some residents, the change is for the better.

Parramore residents trying to preserve historyPublished: January 23, 2020, 5:45 pmAs the Parramore area continues to grow, residents are trying to preserve the neighborhood's history.

Fla. – A contractor hired by the City of Orlando estimates it will cost almost $17,000 to evaluate a historic church after the roof collapsed two weeks ago. The roof of the Black Bottom House of Prayer in Parramore collapsed on Dec. 5. "God has many ways that he can make this happen and my faith is still strong," she said. News 6 found out contractors estimate it will cost $16,700 to evaluate the church to determine how crews will remove the roof with as little damage as possible. Still, Jackson believes the community will help save the church.

Crews work to preserve historic Orlando church after roof collapsePublished: December 6, 2019, 1:47 pmCrews are expected to return to the site of a historic Parramore church Friday to begin the preservation process while removing pieces of the roof that collapsed earlier this week.

Many Parramore residents said what the city considers affordable, isn't affordable for them. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

ORLANDO, Fla. – For the second episode of Florida Foodie, we are taking a look at a big problem facing the Parramore neighborhood in Orlando. Parramore is what's known as a "food desert," which means the people who live there do not have easy access to quality, nutritious foods. This is not a problem that is unique to Parramore, food deserts exist in just about every major city across the country. What is unique, is how the city of Orlando is tackling this problem. They explain how this effort came together, the success they've already seen and how it is growing beyond the Parramore neighborhood.