Witnessing Arcadia’s bounce-back from the streets

ARCADIA — Hubert Clark was born and raised in Arcadia and has watched his city grow from the streets.

Many people of Arcadia are long-term, multigenerational residents, but there are perhaps none who have seen the growth as closely as Clark has.

At 65, Clark has fought a number of battles over the years as the city has evolved around him.

He struggles with mental illness and homelessness. DeSoto Cares Homeless Services has offered him and others a helping hand.

They have a program that features tiny homes. The homes are used to shelter unhoused people.

Such a program is needed, statistics showcase.

According to a recent study by the Sarasota-based Patterson Foundation and Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, DeSoto County has high poverty and unemployment rates. That leads to increased homelessness.

Clark is using local and national services to survive. He also receives disability checks and governmental help.

On many days, he can be found away from his temporary tiny home, strolling down the shaded sidewalks of Arcadia.

Every now and then, he will take a seat on a public bench in front of an antique shop to enjoy a 305 cigarette or two. The purple pack.

From his seated position, he watches locals along with history-loving tourists pass by. Some say hello, many do not.

If that gets boring, he said, he can always pull out his government-issued cellphone.

Clark has no problem with the city growing.

In fact, he finds it fascinating and exciting, how much it has.

Much of Arcadia, in his opinion, is run down. Especially after the pandemic along with Hurricanes Irma and Ian tag-teamed against it.

Arcadia’s decimation was rarely talked about outside of the city confines, he believes.

But Clark is happy to see his neighbors and his neighborhood prospering again, against all odds.

Tourists from all over the state even make their way to Arcadia to immerse themselves in its historical downtown area.

The strip has a wide array of options including coffee shops, restaurants, and an entertainment venue.

Most antique shop and other business owners there know Clark well, he said. They are neighbors, and above that, friends.

Clark could be spotted on city streets since he was a child. So it is hard to be an Arcadian without knowing, or knowing of, Clark.

The future of his home looks bright, he believes.

Now he just wants law enforcement to be able to focus on smaller issues, such as tourists jaywalking. It is unsafe, he said, but county and local police seem spread thin.

They are already good at tackling larger issues to do with drugs and violence, Clark said. If they can master smaller offenses, Arcadia would be perfect.

Clark thinks, then, the focus would shift away from serious and petulant crimes in the area, towards all the good Arcadia has to offer.