ORLANDO, Fla. — Hundreds of rundown apartments in Orlando have gotten the green light for demolition.
The city approved funding to tear down several complexes along Mercy Drive.
Residents said they hope they’ll get decent, livable housing out of the deal.
Residents said they’re tired of seeing fenced off complexes that one commissioner said has conditions worse than a third-world country.
“I think it’s created an atmosphere of depression, of hopelessness,” said William Andrews of the Heart of Mercy Community Church.
Residents said they were happy to learn the city has approved roughly $2.3 million for demolition.
As much as they had an image problem, reports show the properties also had a crime problem.
“It’s going to leave a hole in various areas of the community, but we know that something positive is coming, which uplifts the spirit of the community,” said Andrews.
The project includes five complexes that are currently fenced off on Mercy Drive.
The city purchased the Peppertree, Bordeaux and Lakeside Village apartments earlier this year, and they face foreclosure.
It’s now reviewing proposals to redevelop three of the sites.
“I’m excited about it, because it’s going to open up the doors for developers to be able to come in and take that they need and funding to apply to just the building projects,” Andrews said.
In a meeting earlier this month, Commissioner Regina Hill described conditions inside the units as worse than third-world countries.
“When I went inside those apartments, it broke my heart. I even shed some tears with them, because they were being displaced,” she said.
Residents said they want mixed-income housing and places to call home.
The project is expected to be finished in phases.
The Peppertree units will be first to go, and demolition should be complete by next year.
WFTV
