City Reflects on Revitalization Efforts in Parramore Neighborhood

What:        The Pathways for Parramore initiative, launched in June 2005 by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 5 City Commissioner Daisy W. Lynum, has reached its four-year milestone this summer.  To honor the occasion, there will be a ground breaking ceremony for the new Z.L. Riley Park.

In the four years since Pathways for Parramore was launched the community has seen significant revitalization through the five pathways—housing, business development, children & education, public safety and quality of life.  Revitalization efforts include:
·        More than $10 million has been invested in housing, resulting in 34 new and rehabilitated homes and 271 new housing units in the near future.
·        In the last year, there has not been one murder in the Parramore community.
·        Nearly all of the 2,000 children living in Parramore have been enrolled in the Parramore Kidz Zone program and there has been a 47 percent decline in juvenile arrests since 2006.
·        The Community Venue BLUEPRINT project has hired 75 individuals with more than 55 percent of them Parramore residents, homeless and ex-offenders.
·        A $17.6 million investment is transforming Parramore’s main thorough fares with streetscape projects on West Church Street and Division Avenue.

Following the ground breaking, there will be a walking tour showcasing examples of accomplishments of the initiative so far, including:
·        Wells Landing construction site
·        Newly constructed single-family homes on McFall Avenue
·        Nikki’s Place business improvements
·        Orlando Police Department’s Parramore Heritage Bike Unit
·        Carver Park Housing Development

Background:        The Pathways for Parramore initiative came to fruition in June 2005 from a task force commissioned by Mayor Buddy Dyer in November 2003.  After more than 6 months of conducting research and obtaining stakeholder input, the task force presented recommendations in June 2004.

Who:      Mayor Buddy Dyer
City Commissioner Daisy Lynum, District 5
Police Chief Val Demings
Key Stakeholders of the Parramore District
Business and Community Leaders of Orlando

When:                Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.

Where:        Future site of Z.L Riley Park
Intersection of Parramore Avenue and Conley Street
Orlando, FL 32811

Parking:        On street parking is available along Parramore Avenue

For more information, contact Heather Allebaugh, (407) 246 – 3423