The term gentrification can be defined as the process of renovating an urban neighborhood or district into a community of higher socioeconomic status. Parramore Avenue, located in Downtown Orlando, FL, was founded in 1881 by former mayor James B. Parramore. Parramore established this community as a sector for African Americans to work and reside.
The community quickly developed its own character as churches, schools and businesses grew. Historically known for its impoverished conditions, the low-income neighborhood has maintained a median household income of less than $30,000 a year. African Americans make up for 93% of the neighborhood’s population as of 2017. By the 1940s, black leadership rose in Parramore and society would set out to establish itself as a flourishing community.
Fast forward to the 1960s, several factors contributed to the decline of the Parramore community. Middle-class African Americans began relocating to more delightful sides of town, leaving behind the low-class community. In 2014, the Parramore zip code, 32805, ranked four on a list of 91 counties with the most reported crimes, according to a CrimeRisk report obtained through demographic data provider Applied Geographic Solutions. Crimes include robbery, assault, murder, burglary, loitering, motor vehicle theft and more.
City officials have aided in the process of commercializing Parramore with arenas, stadiums, luxury apartments and educational institutions. The new developments ultimately bring in traffic from tourists, which can increase revenue. “Our ties to the community are deep. The owners moved here with every intention of making a name for themselves,” said 25-year-old Melanie Jackson who works at Jesse’s Rib Shack, a black-owned barbeque restaurant approximately two minutes from Parramore Ave.
“On this side of town, you notice a lot. You don’t have to be a genius to tell when something needs fixing. There are homeless people walking through here all times of the day and night. I can understand wanting to lighten up the neighborhood, but they should start with the center of the problem first. Build more homeless shelters. I’m one of those people that will advocate for change. And Parramore needs change,” Jackson shared.
The City of Orlando has had an ongoing transformation in the Downtown Orlando area over the last decade. Orlando has partnered with Creative Village, a local development organization, to transform approximately 68-arces of land in the urban neighborhood. The sole purpose of Creative Village is to create a dynamic neighborhood filled with a mix of residential housing, commercial property, restaurants, hotels and live entertainment venues.
Within the last five years, this joint venture has been successful in launching multiple apartment complexes including Amelia Court Apartments, 800 North Orange, The Julian and a student housing complex by the name of Union West. Most recently, the new University of Central Florida campus opened in the heart of Downtown Orlando, and welcomed over 7,000 students, faculty and staff.
Initially, this may sound like a great way to revamp the impoverished neighborhood. But there are thousands of residents living in Parramore that cannot afford to rent the new living communities. For example, Amelia Court has its lowest rate for rent listed at $1049 a month. Now, this may seem like a great rate for higher-class individuals, but for lower-class residents, many of them rent from private landlords who reportedly set rent as low as $700 a month.
According to Zillow.com, the average rent for housing in the Parramore area increased from $973 to $1,288 since 2014. In 2015, the unemployment rate jumped to 23.8% in the 32805 district. Lacary Williams, a Certification Analyst for Orlando Housing Authority, shared that not all the new residential complexes being built are for low-income residents. “I know Amelia Court only has a certain percentage of units that are low-income. The entire complex is not low-income. And that’s how it is with the new Parramore Oaks Apartments, not the entire complex is low-income but only a certain percentage,” explained Williams. Here's more on what Williams had to say:
Bella Capri is another low-income apartment complex, located in between the intersection of Conroy Rd and President Barack Obama Pkwy. Bella Capri has units ranging from $689 to $923, but applicants must take into account they have a 2-year waitlist. City officials have long promised a practical solution for the community, but Parramore residents have not yet seen these benefits. So, the central question here is quite simple: Will the low-income residents of Parramore be forced out if new luxury apartments continue to develop?
“When the building and construction started happening, I did have a lot of people come talk to me asking how much longer they’ll be able to stay here in the Parramore area. Nothing happens overnight but you definitely have to start preparing yourself anyway that you can,” added Williams. Longtime Parramore resident Sylvia Hill shared that the possibility of relocationg has always been in the back if her mind.
Dwight Dillon, a real estate broker and independent landlord, can attest to this. “I’ve heard from tenants over the years and they do have a bit of concern. All I can say is that there is some worry in the community, but we do our best to be as transparent as possible with our tenants,” shared Dillon.
While city leaders and many Orlandoans are excited about the growth they are seeing, there has always been a prolonged concern when it comes to affordable housing for lower class residents. “It’s definitely been a big change in this area from over 40 years ago. You have good changes and you have bad changes. Some of the current residents may not be able to stay here because of the low-income and poverty area that this is.
Just last October, Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), an American video game company, announced it will move its headquarters from Maitland, Florida, to Downtown Orlando’s Creative Village in 2021. This move will reposition EA’s 700 employees and could also become known as the largest corporate relocation in Orlando in decades. According to the Orlando Sentinel, EA says their number of employees could eventually grow to 1,000 by the year 2025.
Ustler Development Inc., an urban development company, will fund the five-story building which is expected to have approximately 175,940 square feet. “I’ve lived here [Parramore Ave] all my life. Right here, nowhere else.” said 62-year-old Jefferey Carter. “The new buildings that are coming are nice and all, but I know better. My sister had to up and move out of her duplex a few years back. They promised her a unit in the new building for only $50 more but when the time came it was gone. And the ones they did have available were $150 more. Carter explained.
According to Williams, renovations are now at a standstill due to COVID-19, but any ongoing developments will resume as planned once they city fully reopens. Furthermore, the new University of Central Florida Downtown campus unfortunately didn’t get the chance to hold their first graduation ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic. With that being said, Williams urges occupants to be “financially prepared” just in case that day comes.
The UCF campus was built in the center of downtown Orlando and offers 20 new academic programs for students. Tyler Frater, interdisciplinary studies major, said she was already an online student so switching to virtual classes was not a big change for her. “I did want to partake in on-campus activities. I was actually looking forward to spending sometime at the new campus. I probably went there twice before we went on lockdown.”
According to Ustler Development, Inc., the newest housing project will be East on Park, a $38 million condominium development that will be adjacent from Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando.
To view all city development projects or to inquire about housing assistance, visit Orlando.gov. Below is a timeline that highlights a few of the most popular developments in the Downtown. For a more in-depth look at the living conditions on Parramore Ave, view the visual story here.
The Paramore African Americans and pine hill being destroyed again it's been repeated since and after slavery the abandoned apartments and so they abandon us !!! Instead of loving us and sharing the wealth we not liked I here guys working houses saying I hate black people!!! On Westmoreland area and south st. The assault and robbery usually on each other our children and neighbors don't have a future this is racism that's continues in black communities need some love 💕💓 because see's It is written woe unto those who have it to give but do not. They destroyed black neighborhoods for two long now and take no responsibility for it .. but continue to build businesses for them an…