Jubilee Park residents not going away
1:58 PM on Tue., Jul. 13, 2010 | Permalink
I have yet to see a neighborhood fighting to survive as hard as Jubilee Park. DISD wants to build a new O.M. Roberts Elementary School at the location and filed eminent domain cases for some properties in the neighborhood, including the 58-year-old Vickery Wholesale Greenhouse on East Grand Avenue.
DISD officials have said that the location is the best option, however, at a May town hall meeting said that condemnation proceedings are on hold while attorneys for the property owners and DISD officials work through issues. Officials also said at the meeting that they are open to receiving suggestions for alternative sites.
For months, Jubilee Park residents have been speaking out against what they call "DISD's land grab" in their area near Fair Park. They've protested with signs in front of the district's administration building on Ross Avenue. And they've sought help from elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, who had a representative at the May town hall meeting.
Supporters also have started a petition, created a comic strip, and have a website, www.stopdisd.org. The latest that I've seen is a satirical video that can be accessed here.
It will be interesting to see the outcome.