Orange County

Proposed renaming of Orlando’s Division Avenue divides community members, leaders

ORLANDO, Fla. — After hundreds signed a petition urging the city of Orlando to rename Division Avenue, some community members are pushing back saying the notion that the street separated black and white communities is simply not true.

“We cannot allow the history of Parramore to be wiped out with knee-jerk reactions,” said Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill.

Hill said the more she talks with community members, the more she hears of fond memories of black business owners living and working on the street.

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Former Chief Judge Belvin Perry said the notion that Division Avenue separated black and white communities is nothing but a myth.

He said the street is rich in Parramore history and the focus of the discussion around the street’s name needs to change.

“If someone wants to do something, let's do something about what will impact the community and that's a thing called economic development. There's a thing called jobs,” Perry said.

Hill and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer agreed that more discussions need to be had before a decision is made.

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Karen Parks

Karen Parks, WFTV.com

Karen Parks is a reporter at WFTV.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.