Particle.news
Download on the App Store
4 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

Orange County School Board Approves Proposed Transfer of Hungerford Site to Dr. Phillips Charities

The vote triggers contract negotiations with plans for a citizen advisory board.

Image
Town of Eatonville Mayor Angie Gardner speaks during a press conference following the approval of the memorandum of understanding at an Orange County Public Schools Board meeting to discuss the Hungerford land deal between the district and Dr. Phillips Charities, on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. The Town of Eatonville council has signaled it does not support the deal. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Image
Image

Overview

  • The board voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a memorandum of understanding and accept a $1 million down payment for the 117-acre property.
  • The proposal outlines housing, education and medical facilities, parks, a grocery store and a conference-center hotel, with some land to be donated back to Eatonville.
  • Eatonville town council members and many residents objected to the process and urged a delay, while Mayor Angie Gardner backed the partnership and apologized for how it was communicated.
  • Officials emphasized this is the start of negotiations, with a formal contract expected to address job commitments, anti-displacement measures and oversight; a public meeting is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 3.
  • Leaders of Dr. Phillips Charities described a stewardship role and pointed to prior community projects as the historically significant site advances under a resident-designed master plan.