Heroes Village in Parramore could help revitalize community

ORLANDO, Fla. — WFTV has learned that six vacant lots in Orlando's Parramore neighborhood could be turned into a community for local heroes.

Next week city officials will consider the “Heroes Village” proposal which would involve donating the lots so mortgage-free homes can be built for veterans and law enforcement officers.

City officials hope the Heroes Village will help improve Parramore, which is considered one of Orlando’s most impoverished communities with many rundown homes.

“Everyone thinks Parramore is a real bad place," resident Marion Hall said.

The six new homes would be called Heroes Commons at Jefferson.

They would be given to qualified, moderate to low-income veterans or first responders,  mortgage-free.

If the idea is approved, the city of Orlando would donate the six lots to the Florida Real Estate foundation.

The foundation would then raise money to build the houses.

The goal is to revitalize Parramore by bringing in new homeonwers.

“Last week some boys came over here and started shooting up, but it's really not a bad place to live,” resident Frankie Moore, who has lived there 50 years, said.

Hall grew up in Parramore and she thinks the village is a good idea, but wonders about how desirable the homes will be in the middle of rundown ones.

“They still need to try and uplift these other houses around here,” she said.

Right now the land is being used like a mini junk yard.

City officials hope the new homes will inspire others who live around them to clean up.

“This project will help revitalize that neighborhood, and bring in new home ownership in an area that is predominately renters,” said Linda Rhinesmith, with the Housing and Community Development Department.

Construction could start this fall.

WFTV