HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Families breathed a sigh of relief after Tampa City Council voted to approve a contract to buy a historic African American cemetery in East Tampa.
"It is long-overdue, and I'm very excited to start the process of giving the cemetery the respect it deserves," said Council Member Lynn Hurtak.
The property has lately been at the center of concern for many families.
The city said Memorial Park Cemetery had been privately owned for a century but became abandoned after its owner died in 2019. The city began doing maintenance work at the property, including mowing and tree-trimming, and put a lien on it to cover those early costs.
The city said its attorneys set the property for a foreclosure auction with the intent of taking ownership of Memorial Park from the late owner’s heirs, who did not want it. However, the city was outbid.
On Thursday, Tampa City Council unanimously approved buying the Memorial Park Cemetery property from an investor at a price tag of $100,000.
Hillsborough County
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"Hopefully we have some community organizations that are willing to step up to the charge, maybe even a collaborative group of organizations and churches to now pay homage as well as take care of it so that it's not costing the taxpayer's money year after year over the long term," said Council Member Gwendolyn Henderson.
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“This is the final resting place for many of Tampa’s forefathers and foremothers, so the City of Tampa needed to do whatever we could to ensure this property receives the care, maintenance, and dignity that it deserves,” Mayor Jane Castor said in a statement. “It was always protected from development, but City ownership should ease people’s concerns about a real estate speculator owning it. I appreciate the City Council’s vote, and I know the community does too.”
For Kimberly Queen, Memorial Park Cemetery means family. She has three relatives buried there.
"It’s important for us to have that property, that land, and to know that we can go back. Even when I’m long gone from the earth, my grandchildren, my great grandchildren can go there and know that’s where our family members are interred and where they’re resting peacefully," said Queen.
