THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, January 30, 1997            TAG: 9701300350
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY KATRICE FRANKLIN, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:   59 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: ***************************************************************** CORRECTION In the caption for an aerial photograph of the Orlando section of Suffolk in Thursday's Metro section, the locations of two landmarks were transposed. Walnut Hill is at the bottom of the photo and a peanut warehouse is at the top. Correction published , Friday, January 31, 1997, p.A1 ***************************************************************** THE LONG WAIT MAY SOON BE OVER FOR THE REVITALIZATION OF ORLANDO

The drive through Orlando starts at Mahlon Avenue and ends at Osceola Avenue. A one-minute drive - if you cruise very slowly.

Along the drive down Factory Street - the only entrance into Orlando - you spot boarded-up homes, a couple of churches, a few nice houses, eight dead-end streets and a lot of water.

The community on the outskirts of downtown has a drainage problem.

Most of the neighborhood residents were either born there or rent property. And the long-timers have grown used to it.

Despite Orlando's faults, they love it.

Ask 79-year-old Essie Mae Clark, who was born in her home on Lucerne Avenue what her neighborhood needs, and she quickly tells you, ``Not much. A few extra lights and some sidewalks would be nice.''

Press a little more, and she adds, ``Maybe getting rid of the abandoned houses.''

Residents like Clark may get their wishes. Their neighborhood was selected two months ago for the city's first conservation project.

The city and housing authority have set aside $100,000 to start the project, said Theresa Griffin, development specialist for the housing authority. And a team has been selected to come up with a plan based on community desires.

``We want to improve the housing conditions, but our main component is getting the community involved,'' Griffin said. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

Photo by MICHAEL KESTNER/The Virginian-Pilot

The Orlando section of Suffolk, which has limited access, is the

rectangle in the center of the photo. At the top is the Walnut Hill

neighborhood and at the bottom is a peanut warehouse.

GRAPHIC

A Vision for Orlando

The city and Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority will hold a

meeting at 7 o'clock tonight at the First Baptist Church of Orlando,

505 Eola Ave., to hear what residents want the community

redevelopment plan to include.

For information about the meeting or the revitalization project,

call the housing authority: 539-2100.