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Features
Reunion Planned For Former Central Park Village Residents
Prior to 1954, a community northeast of downtown Tampa was known as The Scrub.
The community consisted of a collection of shotgun-style homes, dirt roads, and housed some of Tampa’s top African American movers and shak- ers.
In 1954, the Department of Housing and Urban Develop- ment (HUD) gave its approval for the construction of a new public housing complex. That
complex was called Central Park Village, and for decades was home to families who pre- viously hadn’t experienced the conveniences it offered.
Through time and wear, Central Park Village became obsolete. The Tampa Housing Authority was forced to follow a nationwide trend and began redevelopment plans. That meant Central Park Village would be demolished and re- placed with a project called Encore.
Eight years have passed since the razing of Central Park Village, but for its former residents, the memories are still there.
A group of former residents decided it would be a great idea to hold an annual “Cen- tral Park Reunion.” It started off being spearheaded by for- mer Central Park resident, the late Jesse B. “Jet Set” Hudson. Later, Clarence Jones picked up where Hud- son left off, but for the past few years, no one has stepped
forward to continue the re- union.
That was until Anthony Gilbert and Keaira Crum decided they would spearhead the effort for this year’s re- union.
On August 2nd, with the help of Rolling Ball Corpora- tion, there will be a Central Park Village reunion, and all former residents are asked to participate.
“If there was one thing proven about what happened with Central Park, it’s that we
need to stay close and help ourselves instead of waiting for someone to give us some- thing,” said Gilbert.
The details of the reunion are still being worked on, and Gilbert said he’d appreciate it if anyone who wants to vol- unteer to help make the re- union a reality, please contact him at (813) 233-6653.
“We’re going to have guest speakers talking about their residency in Central Park, and where they are today.”
ENCORE
CENTRAL PARK VILLAGE
This is a look at “The Scrub,” that occupied the land that later became Central Park Village and is now known as Encore.
PAGE 2-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015