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Orange County School Board Approves Conditional Sale of Hungerford Site to Dr. Phillips Charities

The vote moves redevelopment forward under a milestones-based deal.

Overview

  • Board members voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve a $14 million agreement that requires $1 million at closing and $13 million in development obligations that can be forgiven if benchmarks are met within set timelines.
  • Contract terms call for affordable housing, a museum, a park and pavilion, healthcare and early learning facilities, retail including a grocery store, and a new town hall.
  • Dr. Phillips Charities says it aimed to keep the land out of private hands and plans to transfer portions back to Eatonville as projects advance.
  • Most of the Eatonville town council opposed the sale and sought a 90-day delay, and members now plan to negotiate project details at a Jan. 20 meeting.
  • The 117-acre property—once home to a school founded in 1897 for Black students—closed in 2009, was demolished in 2020, and has remained vacant for years.