BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Nuccio Park area (also known as the “Fish Bowl”) has seen its share of problems over the years. The huge park on the corner of Sligh Avenue and 50th Street was actually shut down for a while due to complaints of drug activity and other criminal acts.
Over the past 3-1/2 years, and through several operations, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has virtually cleaned up the area, and once again made the park a safe place for the kids.
Dee Solomon, wife of the late Freddie Solomon, has been named director of the community center at the park that bears the name of her late husband.
“Things are really looking up in this community. The Sheriff’s Office is taking over the community center, and they will partner with the Boys and Girls Club to run the center.
“The center is currently being renovated, and is scheduled to be opened late next month.”
Ms. Solomon said when her late husband first came to the area, he quickly noticed the kids and parents had nothing to do.
“We’re changing all of that. We’re moving forward o getting some things for the kids and their families.
“The area has gone through a lot of transformations, and although the crime rate may not be where we’d like it to be right now, we all know change takes time. We have seen some improvements.
“The fact is, when kids are idle, things happen. Our target population are 5 to 18 years olds’ and their families.”
Ms. Solomon said there has been a big cleanup in the area, thanks to the county code enforcement team, and they have done an excellent job keeping the streets clean, and dealing with the abandoned homes.
“Prior to the past three years, there hadn’t been a lot of law enforcement presence in the area. The area grew so fast, and I think officials were caught off guard.
“We want to create positive things for the kids. I know the people want a nice community, and I feel they deserve it.”
Ms. Solomon said she thinks the role of the Tampa Housing Authority has been a positive influence in the area.
“The Housing Authority has redone the Moses White complex, and they are building a new complex just west of 56th Street on Sligh Avenue.
“We hope these new developments will bring the right people into the area to live. We want to make the negative people uncomfortable to come and hang out in this community. We really appreciate the commitment we’ve gotten from law enforcement.”
Business owner Marvin Knight, who lives in the area, said the community looked bad in the past, and the crime rate was very high.
“There were still a lot of good things happening. When the Housing Authority came in and improved housing in the area, that was a big step up.
“I believe the area has a lot of potential, and years ago, I was looking to invest in the area.”
Knight said the community centers needs to set the example for the area by giving the young people something to do.
“The legacy of Freddie Solomon should be allowed to continue and reflect all the hard work he and his wife put in to make things better.
“Change will only come when we pull together, and invest time and money in the community.”
Knight said because he lives in the community, he will continue to invest in it to make things better.
“I hope this is the beginning of something great. I just want people to enjoy the great things going on in the community.”
