BY LEON B. CREWS<\/b><\/p>\n
Sentinel Staff Writer<\/b><\/p>\n
The Nuccio Park area (also known as the \u201cFish Bowl\u201d) has seen its share of problems over the years. The huge park on the corner of Sligh Avenue and 50th<\/sup> Street was actually shut down for a while due to complaints of drug activity and other criminal acts.<\/p>\n Over the past 3-1\/2 years, and through several operations, the Hillsborough County Sheriff\u2019s Office has virtually cleaned up the area, and once again made the park a safe place for the kids.<\/p>\n Dee Solomon<\/b>, wife of the late Freddie Solomon<\/b>, has been named director of the community center at the park that bears the name of her late husband.<\/p>\n \u201cThings are really looking up in this community. The Sheriff\u2019s Office is taking over the community center, and they will partner with the Boys and Girls Club to run the center.<\/p>\n \u201cThe center is currently being renovated, and is scheduled to be opened late next month.\u201d<\/p>\n Ms. Solomon<\/b> said when her late husband first came to the area, he quickly noticed the kids and parents had nothing to do.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re changing all of that. We\u2019re moving forward o getting some things for the kids and their families.<\/p>\n \u201cThe area has gone through a lot of transformations, and although the crime rate may not be where we\u2019d like it to be right now, we all know change takes time. We have seen some improvements.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact is, when kids are idle, things happen. Our target population are 5 to 18 years olds\u2019 and their families.\u201d<\/p>\n Ms. Solomon<\/b> 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.<\/p>\n \u201cPrior to the past three years, there hadn\u2019t been a lot of law enforcement presence in the area. The area grew so fast, and I think officials were caught off guard.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to create positive things for the kids. I know the people want a nice community, and I feel they deserve it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ms. Solomon<\/b> said she thinks the role of the Tampa Housing Authority has been a positive influence in the area.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Housing Authority has redone the Moses White complex, and they are building a new complex just west of 56th<\/sup> Street on Sligh Avenue.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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\u2019ve gotten from law enforcement.\u201d<\/p>\n Business owner Marvin Knight<\/b>, who lives in the area, said the community looked bad in the past, and the crime rate was very high.<\/p>\n \u201cThere 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe the area has a lot of potential, and years ago, I was looking to invest in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n Knight<\/b> said the community centers needs to set the example for the area by giving the young people something to do.<\/p>\n \u201cThe legacy of Freddie Solomon<\/b> should be allowed to continue and reflect all the hard work he and his wife put in to make things better.<\/p>\n \u201cChange will only come when we pull together, and invest time and money in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n Knight<\/b> said because he lives in the community, he will continue to invest in it to make things better.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope this is the beginning of something great. I just want people to enjoy the great things going on in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer The Nuccio Park area (also known as the \u201cFish Bowl\u201d) 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. 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