Panama Metropolis, Florida, held its grand opening for a brand new inexpensive housing complicated, The Park at Massalina, on July 27. The world is being rebuilt following the destruction brought on by Hurricane Michael in 2018. The nine-day catastrophe left the world in ruins. Now, it’s the grounds of a contemporary housing undertaking providing models at inexpensive charges, WJHG stories.
When the undertaking was first proposed, inexpensive housing was not on the forefront of the town leaders’ minds. Nonetheless, the housing complicated got here to fruition with the dedication of individuals like Teri Henry, who’s the manager director of Panama Metropolis Housing Authority. “There’s lots of love that went into this undertaking,” she informed WJHG. “And everybody deserves an exquisite, secure trendy residence. This group is not going to solely have good trendy models and environment friendly home equipment. It additionally has a playground, a group backyard, a canine park, a group middle, in addition to a enterprise middle that everybody can use.”
The housing complicated’s mission is two-fold, nevertheless. Whereas it’s designed to assist these affected by the elevated value of residing, it additionally commemorates a bit of little-known historical past concerning the space. The phrase “Park” is derived from the title of a Black-owned baseball area that belonged to the Panama Metropolis Blue Sox within the Nineteen Forties and 50s earlier than desegregation. “Massalina” refers to Jose Masslieno, who was the primary to stay at Crimson Fish Level alongside together with his son, Hawk.
Lyn Masslieno, the great-grandson of Hawk, spoke about what this housing undertaking means. “Due to Hurricane Michael, inexpensive residing locations have been destroyed. However to have that chance to deliver it again right here to Panama Metropolis and provides folks clear, secure, inexpensive properties, good place to stay. That is likely one of the pluses that we’re happy with to have the ability to affect households as properly.”
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