Several community organizations decrying the pace of gentrification of Parramore in the historically African American section of Orlando, called for a march on city hall today, Jericho-style.
It was the mother of all failures. Despite assurances by the event organizers of broad support, and fear for Central Florida’s own Port au Prince, the event flopped. Barely more than a handful showed up and the scheduled march around city hall was panned.
Wow.
What a slap in the face. Apparently no one cares about the ravages, and wholesale plundering of this neighborhood by the city of Orlando.
Decades of racism and disrespect have pretty much laid bare the hopes of the Parramore population. Incompetent, self serving leadership like Commissioner Daisy Lynum and Ernest Page before her, have assured that the future of Parramore is gentrification.
At today’s event, Lawanna Gelzer, President of National Action Network Central Florida Chapter and one of the principal organizers said, the people of Parramore, over many years, have dealt with a series of broken promises including the absence of a community school, inadequate and affordable housing and declining economic development.
“At least 50 small businesses have left the Parramore community and we have less small businesses in the area now than we had 10 years ago,” she said. “The new Amway Center has not benefited the people of Parramore in any long-term and sustainable way.”
Mike Cantone of Fight Back Coalition, and an event organizer said, the event is a continuation of the community campaign to fight against the gentrification taking place.
“Instead of spending hundreds of millions of tax dollars on a new soccer stadium and incentives for Creative Village tenants, we are urging community leaders and Mayor Dyer to instead allocate funding for the promises that have already been made to Parramore with regard to affordable housing, transportation, public safety, education and quality of life,” said Cantone.
Cantone offered a number of ideas on how the city might work toward meeting the community’s goals and restoring trust in city leadership. These included, giving Parramore residents priority in new hiring, support for homeownership and making neighborhood-scale retail development a top priority.
A long-time resident of Parramore who addressed the media also echoed the sentiments expressed by Gelzer and Cantone. “Progress is good for a community when residents are included and there is affordable housing, a community school and proper transportation.”
“How long will the Habitat and City-subsidized homeowners have in their homes before they are forced out and have to move elsewhere?,” Mrs. Scarbourgh asked rhetorically.
Within 20 years, someone predicted, if the City has its way, the black population of Orlando’s urban core will cease to exist, at least as residents. Planned retail and other projects for the area almost guarantee it.
Mike Cantwin thinks its all about him