Sarasota Livin'

Herald Tribune article by Dale White HUD wants to replace Sarasota'a publice housing projects including Janie Poe... after looking at the 388 apartments in Newtown Carmen Valenti (Mr HUD) seems to think starting over with mixed-income neighborhoods is the way to go. While HUD won't have the money to help they are looking to partner with private developers.

A new plan

WHAT'S NEW: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which took over the troubled Sarasota Housing Authority two months ago, has decided that Janie Poe and its other apartment complexes for families in Newtown should be razed and replaced with mixed-income neighborhoods.

WHAT'S NEXT: HUD wants to hire a consulting firm and a financial manager to help the reorganized Housing Authority find a developer and come up with a financing plan.

WHAT'S THE REACTION: Public housing tenants are worried that they won't have a say in the redevelopment plans and could be permanently displaced. HUD officials are promising the tenants that they will be included in all decisions.

This will be scary for those currently living in those public housing units but it may be the best ticket to getting things fixed up.