Recap: November 1 Strategic Advisory Group Meeting

Strategic Advisory Group

November 1, 2024

8:30 - 9:30 AM

Zoom Virtual Meeting

Strategic Advisory Group Members Present:

• Sandy Hostetter

• Sherry Magee

• Natalie Lovero

• Bernadette Davis

• Timothy Ayers

• Tangia Smikle

• Steve Hogan

• Stephanie Neves

Others present:

• Apryl Armstrong

• Heather Numa Bell

• Bertha Smith

• Joe DeJesus

• Gaile Plowden

• Michele Nalley

• Travaris McCurdy

• Ayub Fleming

• Rosemarie Campbell

Sherry Magee opened the meeting reminding everyone that things continue to move quickly in this planning process and that we had to make substantial changes to the Early Action Activity that is the focus of today’s meeting.

Sandy Hostetter updated the group that there is a new member we are recommending to add to the group in order to increase representation from the Lake Lorna Doone neighborhood since we have multiple people from the neighborhoods around Lake Mann Homes. Tangia has been very involved in the Lake Lorna Doone Neighborhood Association and active in the community for many years.

Sandy Hostetter presented the Early Action Activity summary, there is $100,000 to be used for an Early Action Activity that must be completed by September 2025. This activity should have a broad impact on the community and garner excitement for what’s to come. At the last meeting we narrowed the activity down to a community garden and/or entrance signs to the neighborhood. After talking with HUD we learned that the entrance signs weren’t permissible unless it was tied to a bigger initiative. The community garden needs a long-term operator and funding for at least three years and we didn’t have either. At the Neighborhood Working group Nina Wilson Jones talked about the importance of memorializing the incredible history of the area so that young people can be informed. There were different ways that were discussed to do this and one of the ways that was mentioned was murals.

Apryl Armstrong has attended every Choice meeting, is in construction and has been involved in many mural projects and after the Neighborhood Working Group meeting we asked her to put together a proposal for what a mural project could look like for this project.

Apryl Armstrong presented some historical figures/places that have been discussed along with some potential/suggested locations, including Tinker Field/Lake Lorna Doone, Mable Butler, “Chief” Wilson, Ben Hurburt, and others. The people selected and final location could be the decision of a committee. Her concept is to include active scenes that show what the person was known for and tells their story.

Her proposal also included connecting with Jones High School and Washington Shores Elementary School to find students with artistic talent to involve them in the process and help elevate their skills and also teach them about the leaders that made this community great. There is also a muralist in the Washington Shores area that she plans to engage in the process. She reviewed a block concept that removes the need for mortar which allows a laborer to learn a new skill and reduces the cost of the construction. This is a great workforce training opportunity. The number of murals would depend on the location and how many detached structures and the materials chosen for those structures.

The group was asked to give feedback on the concept as a whole and the specifics as far as who would be on the murals and where they would be located can be determined at a later date.

One group member mentioned that there was a Black Olympic swimmer in Lorna Doone.

There was a question about the new entrance signs to the neighborhoods that are needed and why we weren’t doing that as the Activity. HUD advised that a project like that would need to be a part of a larger placemaking effort, which is difficult in this area because there are so many distinct neighborhoods with distinct identities that are important to preserve. The new entrance signs to the neighborhoods can and will be incorporated into the overall plan and we can also pursue other potential funding streams.

A group member asked about the potential of doing some sculptures around the park. The cost was researched and it would cost about $100,000 for two sculptures. The murals would be more visible and have a greater impact on more people. The sculptures can be a part of our overall plan to memorialize the historical people and places in this community.

There was a question about whether we looked into general beautification. Beautification projects were researched but we would have to have someone to maintain landscaping long-term and have at least three years of funding to maintain them.

A group member advised that there was a presentation put together by Ted Haddock about the historical figures of the Lorna Doone Community. Natalie will reach out to find this resource. Sandy commented that we might be able to incorporate his video into a more permanent memorial if we win Implementation funding.

When asked if there were any objections to moving forward with this project and there were no objections.

Gaile Plowden mentioned that the Orlando Housing Authority team had made videos during our visit to Tampa to show and share what the Tampa Housing Authority has done in their area to explain the history and honor leaders.This will be added to the agenda for the next meeting. Sandy commented on how amazing their memorials were and agreed with Gaile that it might help inspire all of us in this work.

And download additional mural sites presentation »

Branding Update

Natalie Lovero updated that since the last SAG meeting when it was announced that Heritage Orlando had been chosen however since that meeting, some community members expressed concern with the word Heritage having a negative connotation. So we have decided to pivot away from that name and the branding committee came up with two additional names that were deemed usable after a usability search, so the names are currently being reviewed by a law firm for copyright issues and will be put out to the community for a vote once they come back.

The next community meeting will be held on November 19th at L. Claudia Allen from 5:00-8:00 PM. This meeting will be a joint meeting with the community and the public housing residents to give feedback on housing style, site layout, and amenities offered at the redeveloped sites.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 am.