ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Residents of the Tymber Skan on the Lake condominiums in Orange County are voicing their concerns over potential demolition plans. They argue that while the complex has faced challenges in the past, living conditions have significantly improved, and they fear being left homeless if redevelopment proceeds.
On Tuesday, the Orange County Board of Commissioners will receive an update on the proposal to demolish the remaining condo buildings. Residents are actively working to prevent this from happening.
Cynthia Claytor, a 70-year-old resident, expressed her frustration with how the community is viewed.
“Public perception is [that it is] a troubled community. It’s not. At night, it is so quiet. You could hear the crickets. We don’t have problems here anymore,” she said. “That’s what upsets me the most, is them treating us like we’re different, like we’re lepers.”
Residents like Claytor have taken steps to improve the community since the January meeting of county commissioners when county staff revealed plans to raze the complex.
“We did a community clean up where we got a whole bunch of people out here, and we took a big old dumpster, which, by the way, we pay for ourselves. And we cleaned up all the garbage back there,” she explained. “There are cameras watching people come in and out of here. So we’re doing our best to make sure this is safe.”
The county is considering forcing the sale of Tymber Skan for redevelopment, citing issues such as crime, lack of water in some units and safety concerns. Over a decade ago, 41 buildings on the property were demolished and now, residents are anxious about the future of their homes.
Claytor and other residents have voted in a new homeowner’s association board to continue their progress.
“So the people here that actually are invested in this place have really been trying,” she said.
While county staff have developed a plan to assist Claytor and the 55 other residents in finding housing, Claytor remains skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures.
“What can they (the county) do for them? They keep saying if they qualify. But that’s not going to help these people. They’re already here. They’ve already got a home,” she said.
Last month, she and many others participated in a community meeting. During that meeting, Orange County Commissioner Mike Scott reassured residents that their concerns would be considered.
“Whatever happens, I don’t want you to be in a situation where you don’t have a place to stay,” Scott said. “The county helps you for a few months and figures it all out.”
Scott said he will present the community’s feedback to the Orange County Commission during Tuesday’s meeting.
