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Washington Heights Residents Prepare For Improvements

KATHY WATERS/HIGHLANDS TODAY

"I hope I live to see it materialize," said Mary Toney, a long-time resident of the Washington Heights neighborhood. The Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency approved a contract for a firm to create a redevelopment plan of the dilapidated neighborhood.

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By MANDY SHEETS | Highlands Today

Published: December 12, 2007

SEBRING — Sisters Barbara Walker and Mary Toney have never lived anywhere except Washington Heights, and they don't ever want to.

"I was raised across the street," Toney said from the porch of her Harris Street home. "I want to stay close to home, and I like having my sister one block away. I'm 74, and I've never had another address besides Sebring."

Walker likes the tight-knit community of people who have lived there all their lives.

"We help each other and look out for each other, like one big family," Walker said. "But I am very glad they are redoing the neighborhood too. It's been a long time coming."

The area has become increasingly more dilapidated, with most of the businesses closing and houses becoming run down.

"People used to take care of their homes and the neighborhood," Toney said. "Now it looks like someone who hasn't taken care of their teeth. Things are falling apart."

The Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency took the first step toward revitalization at Monday's meeting, selecting Keith and Schnars, a planning firm, to prepare a neighborhood plan for Washington Heights.

The firm has worked with the CRA in seven streetscape projects, including the current streetscape project to beautify Lemon Avenue, Martin Luther King Boulevard and North Ridgewood Drive.

CRA members chose Keith and Schnars over Wilson Miller, that also made a presentation, because of its experience in Sebring and knowledge of the area.

"It's encouraging that they have worked in the neighborhood and see its potential, and they still want to return to work in that neighborhood," CRA member Kathy Malie said about Keith and Schnars.

CRA members also said they like the firm's community-based approach, which includes bringing a mobile office into the neighborhood so locals have access to the planners.

"We want to get people engaged and excited about the project," said Debbie Love, project manager. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get involved and have a voice in the community, so we want to provide ample opportunities for feedback."

Robert Saffold, member of New Washington Heights Concerned Citizens Organization, said he is overwhelmed by the possibilities for improvement.

"Even without knowing any of the specifics, I'm very interested in what could happen," Saffold said. "I think people of Sebring should be just as proud of this neighborhood as they are of Lakeview Drive."

Saffold said the residents of the neighborhood have been talking about changes for about 20 years, and he is excited to see them starting to come to fruition.

"Now I just hope God gives me enough time to see these changes actually take place," Saffold said.

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