Briarwood Residents To Largo Commission: 'Save Our Homes'

More than a dozen residents of Briarwood Travel Villa came together in the shadows of Largo City Hall to send a message to city commissioners who were scheduled to vote on the fate of their property Tuesday evening.

The message the residents wanted to send was a simple one — don't let a developer build an apartment complex on the Seminole Boulevard property.

"We've lived in Briarwood for three years," Jessica Emr said of herself and her husband, Peter. "We started in a tent, and we are currently living with my disabled veteran uncle. Our trailer cannot be moved, and we need the officials to save our home, otherwise we will be homeless."

Other Briarwood residents who spoke out expressed similar sentiments.

"I'm Pfc. Robert Russell, U.S. Army retired, and I just want to make sure that we get a chance to save our homes," the disabled vet said. "We all need this."

Christine L. Allamanno, an attorney who recently chronicled the residents' plight in a blog post on Patch, said she felt it was important for the commissioners to see the faces of the people whose lives are going to affected by their decision.

"Somehow, and I'm not sure why, these people have not been a part of the conversation," Allamanno told Patch. "When you see the press on this, it's been all about the neighboring home owners.

"Accommodations have been made to them and to the developer. Let's make some accommodations to these people, too."

Allamanno pointed out that if the RV park were to be razed for a proposed apartment complex, not only will residents be out of homes, but Pinellas County will be losing another piece of natural Florida beauty.

"I went in there and I was just blown away. It's like Old Florida," she said. "We're losing those Weeki Wachee, Sunken Gardens type of landmarks, and I'm very sad that somebody wants to take that away."

Residents also mentioned the natural beauty of the property when talking about why they want to see it remain as is.

For one man in particular, the combination of the natural surroundings and the camaraderie of his neighbors helped him get through a very difficult time.

"I was a contractor and I had an accident and broke my back, my neck, my ribs, had my eye pushed out of whack," said Robert Riggle, a 10-year resident of the park.

"I spent a lot of time looking at the trees and the wildlife in the park," he added. "I'm just happy to be alive. And it's the nature and the people is what's kept me going."

The commission was scheduled to vote on the Briarwood development issue during the regularly schedule meeting at 6 p.m.

Related:

• Blog: The Briarwood Dilemma in Largo
• Residents Ready for Briarwood Redevelopment Vote
• Apartment Complex Considered for Briarwood RV Park
• Neighbors Raise Concerns About Proposed Apartments at Briarwood RV Park

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