DATE: Sunday, May 18, 1997                  TAG: 9705180015

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY KATRICE FRANKLIN, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:   54 lines

SUFFOLK LIKELY TO EARMARK GRANT MONEY FOR ORLANDO FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE CITY MAY FOCUS ON REHABILITATING AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

For the first time, the City Council this year may work with the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority on rehabilitating an entire community.

The seven-member council seems in agreement that the authority will get some of this year's $765,000 community development grant to revitalize Orlando - a seven-block neighborhood on the edge of downtown.

``We're committed to this project,'' said Councilman Charles F. Brown. ``We are going to do everything we can to meet their request.

``It's a good project that is much needed. My vision is that this will allow us to overcome the housing slump.''

Last November, the council selected Orlando as the city's first neighborhood revitalization project. Since then, the community and the housing authority have been developing a plan for how the neighborhood will look. The housing authority set aside $600,000 to build new homes there.

Some residents and authority members have questioned whether the council would stand by its promise with money. The council traditionally uses the grants for water and sewerage improvements, thinking that revitalization starts with ridding neighborhoods of pit privies and unsafe water.

Community Development Block Grant funds are given to cities annually by the federal government. The governing bodies determine who should get the money and how it should be spent. This year, Suffolk received 19 applications for funds.

``This is my 17th year (on the council) and 17th time having to do this, and in previous years we have used the money for water and sewer,'' said Councilman Curtis R. Milteer. ``It's time now to focus on community projects.''

Residents and housing officials flooded City Hall last week to ask for Orlando funding. The housing authority is seeking $400,000 this year and a percentage of the grant for the next several years.

The housing agency and the council have a rocky history. In the past, city officials and council members have accused the SRHA of neglecting the R - for redevelopment - in its name. In the past, the authority went into different neighborhoods to rehabilitate selected houses instead of an entire community.

``I certainly intend to appropriate funds for Orlando,'' said Councilman S. Chris Jones. ``We asked the housing authority to bring us a plan, and they have. It deserves funding.''

Council member Marian ``Bea'' Rogers said she also wants to use some of the money to revitalize Huntersville - a small, mostly minority community in northern Suffolk. The neighborhood was picked several years ago as an innovative city housing program in which the community, with some help, would help itself.

``We owe some money to Huntersville,'' Rogers said. ``And if we can fund both projects, then I will vote for them.''

The council is to vote Wednesday on the Community Development Block Grant funds.

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