Haines City is moving forward with efforts to revive its once-thriving Oakland neighborhood business district.
Residents like Noel Marsh remember when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way was a bustling Black business corridor, a stark contrast to today, where only one business remains across seven blocks. “Anything that brings business back here would be a plus,” Marsh said.
For decades, the Northeast Oakland district was home to restaurants, grocery stores, and even a movie theater. Mayor Morris West said the lack of nearby businesses now forces residents to travel across town for basic needs, underscoring the importance of revitalization.
The Community Redevelopment Agency has discussed redevelopment plans for years, with the proposed demolition of a former walk-in bar marking the first step.