Proposed Development on Orange Center Blvd.

Information provided by Hannibal Square Land Trust 

Hannibal Square Community Land Trust is proposing building 30 townhomes for homeownership on the parcels facing Orange Center Boulevard and a 3-story, mixed-use development at the corner of Tampa Avenue and Orange Center.

Hannibal Square Community Land Trust (HSCLT), Inc., is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit and since 2004 has been providing opportunities for very low, low, and moderate-income families to secure housing that is permanently affordable through a land trust model. To achieve their goal of affordable housing, HSCLT obtains real property which it then leases to qualified buyers on a 99-year ground lease. The buyer is able to purchase a home, while removing the often-prohibitive cost of the land from the equation.

The townhomes for sale as part of the HSCLT proposal for Orange Center will be 3BR/2.5BA, with 2-car attached garages, and built for water and energy-efficiency. HSCLT plans to sell nine homes to families earning between 50% and 80% Area Median Income (AMI), nine families earning between 80% and 120% AMI, and the other twelve would be available to any family that meets the mortgage qualifications.  All homes will be built to the same standards and include the same amenities.  All homes will remain in the land trust to ensure permanent affordability.  Hannibal Square Community Land Trust uses an appraisal-based resale formula, allowing the homeowner to benefit from the equity gained from increased property value of their home. Townhomes that are sold at market rate will not be restricted to a resale formula. 

HSCLT works with potential home-buyers to ensure their incomes meet the affordability criteria and will assist the qualified candidates through the mortgage approval process. This includes helping candidates get scheduled for first-time home-buyer classes and find down-payment assistance programs.  HSCLT staff will also work to keep potential home-buyers engaged during the construction phase to help them stay qualified to purchase as they await homes to be finished.

The mixed-use building is proposed for 20,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor. The top two floors consist of 28 mixed-income one- and two-bedroom apartments with balconies. Parking will be provided in the rear to help create the walkability and outdoor seating/eating space along the front and side of the property.

The proposed builder for this project is CTG Construction Management, a local African-American firm with almost 30 years of construction management experience in commercial, institutional, residential (multifamily) and mixed-use development. 

The City of Orlando will be holding a hearing on the Purchase and Sale Agreement for Orange Center Boulevard Real Property to Hannibal Square Community Land Trust on May 13, 2019. Questions or comments regarding the proposal can be emailed to info@hannibalsquareclt.org or you can call 407-643-9111.

Resident Spotlight - The Legacy of Lake Lorna Doone Lives on...

Sisters, Carmen Gill & Tangia Smikle

By Alfreda Bowden Clark, writer, Lake Effect

Carmen Gill and Tangia Smikle are residents of Lake Lorna Doone. Their neighborhood and the park near their home is named after one of the earliest property owner’s daughter’s favorite novel, Lorna Doone, written by English author, Richard Doddridge Blackmore, published in 1869.

Carmen and Tangia reside in the home that was once owned by their parents Clemietine McClendon and John Henry Hill. The Hills purchased the home in 1967 when Carmen was nine and Tangia was six. They have two older sisters Maxine and Alvenia who previously graduated from high school, prior to the family’s move to West Lakes. The family was led by loving parents that were rather protective and sheltered the girls in their familia bond.

Carmen describes herself growing up as a tomboy that was also a bit reserved. The family moved after Carmen was in the third grade and it was quite an adjustment for her because she came from a predominately African-American community. West Lakes, was integrated and fitting in took some time. 

Tangia had a very different experience. She only knew integration. Her parents and older sisters understood segregation and had certain concerns but they allowed her to participate in sleepovers with her friends from Rock Lake Elementary. 

Carmen and Tangia went on to Jones’ High School which was a family requirement from their father. After graduating from high school, Carmen went on to FTU (which is now UCF). She majored in Communications and worked for an attorney’s office, then served on staff for the Clerk of Courts for 31 years. Carmen’s son Alex, created the original design logo for West Lakes. Tangia went on to the military and participated in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. She lived in Tennessee for awhile but always knew that she would return to care for her parents. Tangia has worked with FedEx since 1987 and has one very special daughter, MyLynn.

__________________________

We are seeking stories from residents to share the history and legacy of West Lakes in a memorable coffee table book. If you are interested in participating please contact West Lakes Partnership at 407-955-4243 or info@ westlakespartnership.org ■

Summer Fun

By Natalie Williams, Director, West Lakes Early Learning Center

Summer is coming! At West Lakes Early Learning Center we know keeping your children engaged can be an exhausting and sometimes expensive challenge. But don’t lose hope! We’ve got some ideas. Here are some free and affordable ideas for having a great time with your kids:

Open Up a Book

Libraries are full of adventures bound in between covers and they are indoors! Even if your kids aren’t into books, there are other fun and free activities at the library. The Orlando Public Library offers free arts & crafts and reading events for children nearly every day of the week.

Beat the Heat

            The biggest challenge of summer in Florida is the heat. Find the balance of play time indoors and play time outdoors. Both are very important to exploration, social interactions and physical development. You can engage your children outdoors by simply taking them to a community pool or hooking up an inexpensive sprinkler to your garden hose. Even a small bucket with some plastic cups or bath toys can lead to some cool fun!

Sensory Play

Sensory play includes Slime, Goop, Play-Dough, and any textured items that drive your child’s imagination. This is a perfect activity when you need to work around the house. You can find online recipes for all of the above for endless hours of fun!

Imagination Station

Summer time is the best time to allow your child to fall in love with the Arts. You can accomplish this at home by encouraging them to explore through their imagination. Allowing children to explore through their imagination in the comfort of their own home is part of what they have limited access to during the school year. So encourage and support their desire to build a rocket ship to Mars with a cardboard box, paint with leaves or under the stars, drum on pots, build towers and robots with recycled items, write stories, and mix colors. Even our youngest learners require these experiences so strap them into their high chair for safe monitoring and have your infant explore ice! Allow their imagination to run and soar in discovery of the Arts and whatever their hearts desire.

            Have fun with your kids this summer without breaking the bank. We look forward to opening our doors to West Lakes this coming Fall! In the meantime, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out via email at WestlakesELC@adventhealth.com or by phone at (407) 609-3960. We now have an office at Lift Orlando offices at 2043 Jacobs Place, so feel free to stop by and say hello anytime! Don’t forget your children! I am excited to meet them too!

Summer Budget and Children

By Denise Smalls, Goodwill, West Lakes Financial Wellbeing Center

School is almost out and you have to figure out how to feed your children while they are home for two months.  Two whole months – that is a lot of food for growing little ones.  Of course it seems that children eat more when they are home then when they are at school.  Therefore, let’s include food, finance and education for your children all together this summer.  Since your children will be at home, day care or camp, teach your children how much food actually cost by allowing them to use their own money.  So how will this lesson work?

Give your children a budget for food for the week (each child will have a separate amount).  Take them to the supermarket and allow them to spend the budget on whatever they want (within reason) but it needs to last for the week.  If the food doesn’t last for the week, they will have a simple lunch for the miss days (such as Bologna sandwich).  If they decide to buy all junk food and eat it all on the first day, remember the rest of the week will come from your money so the lunch will be very simple.  The first couple of weeks may be difficult but by the end of the summer your child and you will learn more about their budgeting skills.  This lesson will teach your child to budget their money, how to buy food, how much items cost in the supermarket and how to make food last for the week.  These are all valuable lessons for our children to learn before they move out and discover this lesson on their own.

If you decide to use this lesson with your children this summer, let us know how it goes or contact us for additional assistance.

Goals Coaching Sessions with MVP Families

By: Krystal Harrington, Family Support Coach, Polis Institute

The West Lakes MVP Families program is a family engagement program in the community of West Lakes. Facilitated by the Polis Institute, the program focuses on a two-generational approach that involves the parents as well as the children. As a part of  providing that approach, one main objective for the program is to have each family set at least one goal. The goals are related to academics, health and wellness, financial stability, and developmental relationships.  Each participant has been able to identify action steps to work towards achieving their goals. To date, 100 % of our participants have set a goal.  The Family Support Coach connects with the families throughout the week to follow up on the action steps identified by each participant as well as provide a line of support.

In addition to participants setting a goal, there are mid month Goals Coaching Sessions that serve as additional support and motivation. It’s a space to come together as a group to talk about their accomplishments and challenges. Participants support and encourage one another while actively working to accomplish their goals. Session activities include; creating vision boards, identifying an action plan, and taking a deeper look into values as relates to their goals. One of our partners, West Lakes Financial Wellbeing Center delivered a presentation to the group on “Savings”. Their program offers individual financial coaching to those with financial goals. These different activities allow participants to learn from one another and be among their fellow community members who may be on the same journey.

If you would like more information you can email  krystal@polisinstitute.org or call 407-826-1580.

Reclaiming the Dream

Over 300+ vacant and blighted properties exist within the Communities of West Lakes. Without access to capital to purchase or improve homes, household units gradually fell into disrepair, and many become abandoned. In West Lakes, the Board of West Lakes Partnership decided to act to address this issue as it affects single family homes in the neighborhood.  

West Lakes Partnership, Inc. is a community development organization created and led by West Lakes residents to help ensure the vision of a thriving community. Our key priorities include single family housing stabilization, improving the neighborhood curb appeal, and economic empowerment.

The “Reclaiming the Dream” project is intended to help stabilize and revitalize the West Lakes neighborhoods by reclaiming sub-standard houses, remodeling them, and returning them to the market as high quality, move-in ready, affordable housing available for qualified low-to-moderate income home-buyers.

The remodel will include updated, energy-efficient kitchen appliances, water-efficient toilets and showers, low energy windows, upgraded flooring, paint, exterior cosmetic upgrades, and any repairs necessary to bring the house up to code and modern standards. These homes will not be a part of a community land trust.

For information and an application, please call WLP at (407) 955-4243 or email: tayers@westlakespartnership.org.

WEST LAKES PARTNERSHIP 2018 COMMUNITY UPDATE

WEST LAKES PARTNERSHIP 2018 COMMUNITY UPDATE

January 2018 - Organizational Investment

West Lakes Partnership (WLP) Nominating Committee completes nomination of 15-member Board of Directors. Starts FY 2018 with $692.25 raised by former West Lakes Council members.  

February 2018 - Organizational Investment

First meeting of the West Lakes Board of Directors takes place. Board elects Andre Smart as Chair and David Brewer as Vice-Chair. Raymer Kelly recognized for his leadership of both the Council and later, West Lakes Partnership.

Spring 2018 - Design Investment

WLP Neighborhood Engagement Committee to discuss banners and beautification ideas. Committee adopts 2018 neighborhood engagement calendar for board action. 35 residents and community partners attended the first committee meeting.  

April 2018 - Housing

In collaboration with Hannibal Square CLT, WLP submits $250,000 CDBG grant application to acquire, rehab and market for sell five (5) vacant and abandoned single family homes.

Summer 2018 - Economic Viability

130 out of 180 small businesses in West Lakes are surveyed and identify the need for a business association/district and safety as key priorities. 2 business receptions and a food business cohort emerge from the work of the survey.

Fall 2018 - Housing & Design Investment

West Lakes Partnership gets informal go ahead to for housing grant by the City of Orlando. Orlando City Council approves final design review of the resident-led Lake Lorna Doone Park improvement initiative

November 2018 - Organizational Investment

51,291 views across Facebook and website. 10,000 copies of West Lakes News have been distributed. 201 welcome gifts delivered to Pendana residents. 221 neighborhood leaders participated with an average attendance of 70 residents over 3 community meetings. 100 donated bikes for kids to promote physical fitness. Nearly 85 families are active in Polis-led, MVP Families.

December 2018 - Organizational Investment

As the 12-month journey ends on the initial Board, WLP is projected to close out the year having raised $50,000+ in revenue (from board gifts to creative leasing partnerships with LIFT Orlando to online donations from the community). Payroll, budgeting and financial systems implemented

West Lakes Economic Opportunities Council

West Lakes Council History
By Raymer Kelly

Vision To serve as the internal catalyst for the building and improvement of the quality of life for the residents of the West Lakes Communities.

Mission To create an interconnected set of “economic engines” that generate sustainable economic opportunities for the residents of the Communities of West Lakes through partnerships, collaboration, and modernization.

Goals This council’s efforts was centered on a set of key priorities.  Other efforts were undertaken from time to time as the community desires, however, the main purposes for this organization will be based on the following goals:

· Establishing partnerships with key external partners that bring new, higher wage jobs to residents of the area, spur economic investment in the area, and create new business opportunities for entrepreneurs originally based in the area

· Diversifying the job base within the defined area

· Increasing average wages in the defined area

· Increasing job readiness and entrepreneurial skills of residents of the area

· Developing and preparing the youth of the area to become contributing, productive adults

· Increasing homeowner equity in the area as the council’s efforts improve the attractiveness of the area as a place to live, work, and play

· Supporting improved economic outcomes through increased educational opportunities for youth and adults in the area

How It All Began

In June of 2013, LIFT ORLANDO, a group of concerned business leaders, took an interest in the area roughly defined as an area of Orlando that is situated west of Orange Blossom Trail, North of Columbia Street, East of John Young Parkway, and South of West Colonial Drive in Orlando.  In the now called “Communities of West Lakes” area (in a reference to the fact that all of the neighborhoods are centered around a lake), LIFT discovered an area with a rich African-American history including many residents who pushed through racial and economic inequality in the 1940-60’s to achieve success in business and in life.  Yet, LIFT was perplexed by how amidst this a plague of chronic poverty, joblessness, homelessness, and crime was due to neglect.  Seated in the midst of all of this was found the Florida Citrus Bowl, an aging, but profitable structure, also in need of repair and remodeling.  A renovation was underway.

Eddy Moratin, Executive Director of LIFT and Steve Hogan (a LIFT board member and CEO of Florida Citrus Sports), saw an opportunity to link the ability of the bowl to generate traffic and revenue to the communities of West Lakes through partnerships, collaboration, communication, and relationship development.  Steve had for several years been working with the community himself to brainstorm and implement solutions for the problems in the area, particularly in support of the community’s youth.

LIFT brought in The Polis Institute, a community development consulting firm skilled in asset mapping (a technique used to assess areas for needs) to assist.  Polis brought with it, a history of successful neighborhood revitalization projects to its credit.  Polis dispatched Phillip Hissom, Rene Vazquez, and Dennis Murrill to begin the 30,000 person-hour process of surveying nearly 1,500 residents (35% of all residents in the area) of the areas to discover what some of their desires were for their community.  Twelve categories of ideas emanated from this effort.  One of these was the creation of an advisory board of sorts to care for the interests of the area and to serve as its voice in the larger community.  

In February of 2014, after much dialogue and discussion, the first public meeting was held at the Varsity Club.  In that meeting residents expressed their support for progress as well as their concerns about years of broken promises from various governmental entities and other groups.  From there, this effort grew to include larger and larger numbers of residents, with focused discussions on improving housing, increasing access to technology, spurring economic development, and revitalizing Lake Lorna Doone (to which Florida Citrus Sports pledged $1million in support).  

Lift Orlando also partnered with residents, Eugene and Alice Leach, to promote the project and build community interest in the project.  Eugene reached out and recruited area business consultant Raymer Kelly to join the effort.  It was in the economic development committee, led by Raymer, that Shirley Bradley, Rosalyn "Tracy" Anderson, Johnnie Mickle, Maxine Hixon, Daphne Brewington, Rodney Walden, and several other concerned residents decided that an Economic Opportunities Council would be the optimal vehicle to move the community’s dreams forward.  

Once the LIFT series of meetings concluded, Raymer and Tracy took the lead, continued the discussion and began work on an implementation plan.  The pair met several times at Tracy's home on Lake Sunset and later invited Tangia Smikle, long-time resident of the Lake Lorna Doone community, to join them at a meeting.   Later in the process, Rodney Walden and Margaret Hill, long-time residents of the area also joined the offline effort.

The group invited the community to meet at the Rock Lake Community Center to discuss what was at stake.  Raymer led the meeting and re-introduced the concept of the Economic Opportunities Council to the community.  He discussed the possibilities for a vibrant, thriving community with multiple economic engines, inter-connected, and working for the good of the community's current and future legacy residents.  Residents were thrilled and agreed to meet again to continue the process of forming their council.  

On January 8h, 2015, the community met again.  Raymer and Tracy broke the group into caucuses whereby delegates from each of 6 primary areas worked in their individual groups to nominate and select their representatives.  As a result, the first Economic Opportunities Council seated the following individuals as council members (known as the C-6):

· Seat 1: Lake Sunset/Luola Terrace/Sunset – Faye Giddens

· Seat 2: Rock Lake – Naomi Bassa

· Seat 3: Clear Lake Cove – Fannie Williams

· Seat 4: Clear Lake/Bunche Manor/Hollando – Shirley Bradley

· Seat 5: Spring Lake Manor – Jibreel Ali

· Seat 6: Lake Lorna Doone/Citrus Bowl Neighborhood/Westfield – Tangia Smikle

The C-6 in accordance with the design of the council has the responsibility of naming its seventh, at-large member.  The council held planning and development sessions to prepare itself for its first public meeting, which is expected to be announced in the days and weeks ahead of the publication date of this document.  

At a planning session on January 26, 2015, the council members formed a nominating committee and agreed to present recommendations for filling the 7t council seat at its next meeting.  As a result, on February 12, 2015, the council selected Raymer Kelly as Chair and other members as shown below:

· Chairman: Raymer Otha Kelly

· Vice-Chairman: Jibreel Ali

· Secretary: Faye Giddens

· Treasurer: Shirley Bradley

· Parliamentarian: Naomi Bassa

Demolition Update

Lake Lorna Doone Renovations Update

The State of Housing

Wayne Densch Charities donates $1 million grant for health and wellness

West Lakes Partnership appreciate our community partner – Wayne Densch Charities – for their $1 Million grant toward health and wellness in our neighborhood. Thanks LIFT Orlando for coordinating this grant effort.

"This week’s $1 million pledge is the first major gift solely for the programs and facilities that will promote healthy living in the community, including fitness and nutritional programs." - Eddy Moratin

“Education is the key.”

“Every child deserves the right to a good, quality education,” said West Lakes and Lake Sunset resident Charlene Caines, a mother of four boys. “Education is the key.” This resident was responding to the effort to revitalize Orlando’s West Lakes neighborhood near Camping World Stadium.  The effort got a major boost on June 7, 2018 with the announcement of a $12.75 million donation for a new early learning center.

We Are Better Working Together

Thanks to State Rep. Bruce Antone, #FarmShare, West Lakes Partnership and the countless volunteers for helping fellow neighbors in the West Lakes community. We fed 257 households (which included 395 children).

Community conversations produce concrete action

It is always a privilege to be a part of the West Lakes Dinner and Conversation that took place on May 22nd at the Rock Lake Community Center about the upcoming developments addressing health and wellness, early childhood education, and wrap-around programming. Thank you neighbors and partners- West Lakes News-, City of Orlando - Government, CareerSource Central Florida, HELP CDC. The West Lake Partnership Board thanks all our partners. It was great to see so many Pendana residents joining us last night! Public announcements to follow.

Dream come true: Residents move into affordable Pendana complex

Since this article, 21 more families are calling the neighborhoods of West Lakes home. Four beautiful lakes and the historic Camping World Stadium, we are strengthening the neighborhood for the current and next generations.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/brinkmann-on-business/os-lift-orlando-pendana-20180502-story.html

We are better together

On days like this, as I sit in my office and listen to the laughter of the students at Orange Center Elementary, I’m reminded of the research of Justin Wolfers which shows that “growing up in a good neighborhood has immensely positive effects on future success.”
 
After talking to the new families who moved into the Pendana at West Lakes Apartments and seeing looks of joy on the faces of children moving into their new surroundings, I’m excited about what’s happening for children in this neighborhood. Conservative estimates predict that between 150-175 kids will be moving into the apartments. I’m certain that they will embrace their new home with childlike wonder.
 
Over 8,000 inquiries about availability at Pendana have been reported to date. That level of interest speaks to the value and need of this project and other research studies have shown, “the earlier a family moves to a good neighborhood, the better the children’s long-term outcomes.” West Lakes is that type of neighborhood for children. The simple fact is, that kids pick up cues about how to act far more from the collective influence of friends, siblings, elders, teachers, TV, babysitters, and others than they do from their parents. It’s hardly a fair contest. Pendana and the proposed Boys & Girls Club will help to stack the cards in their favor.
 
The challenge for West Lakes Partnership, our partners and all the residents in the area, is to find ways to meet the needs of all constituencies from our youngest to our oldest. 

When I meet with the elders of the communities of West Lakes, often eating dinner in their homes, the value of their profound talents and rich experiences are evident. I think of what a treat it must be to see revitalization like this happen after years of underinvestment. One senior reminded me, “our retirement years should be better than our work years.” The planned Health & Wellness Center will help bring that to the community.
 
As we consider future projects, it’s crucial to do all we can for our future Jones High School graduates. And for the elders, it is important to listen to their collective voices for programs that make their latter years better than their former years. Every effort must be made to acknowledge and celebrate the heritage they have nurtured in this wonderful community. Their wisdom, service and experience are essential in our mission to strengthen this village called West Lakes.
 
We are better together!