Lawyers for Orange County Public Schools argued before a judge Thursday morning for the dismissal of a lawsuit filed over the future of 100 acres of land that once housed the Robert Hungerford Normal and Industrial School, a historic Black educational facility in Eatonville. The land was nearly sold to a developer who backed out in March after residents spoke out against the plan to build .
After months spent fighting off the sale of 100 acres of land and development that residents believed would lead to their displacement, Eatonville Mayor Angie Gardner is working to rally support for an idea that she says could protect the future of the town. Gardner wants to see the historic Black town form an Eatonville Community Land Trust. If successful, a community land trust (CLT) would .