by Anne Mooney | Jun 29, 2021 | News
Randall Robertson Takes Over Winter Park Institute
Winter Park Institute to Find New Home at the Library-Events Center
by Anne Mooney / June 29, 2021
Effective July 1, Randall B. Robertson will become owner and executive director of the popular Winter Park Institute (WPI). WPI, the speaker series that has brought many celebrities to Winter Park, was created by Rollins College in 2007. WPI hosted speakers such as Maya Angelou, Ken Burns, David McCullough, Jane Pauley, Itzhak Perlman, Gloria Steinem and Winter Park’s very own 2-term U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins.
The Institute ceased operation last year when the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to live events. In order to keep the program alive, Winter Park Publishing Company (WPPC), owner of Winter Park Magazine, took over the Institute’s operation during lockdown.
WPPC conducted two virtual events during 2020, with the goal in mind of finding community partners as the pandemic receded and live events could return. At the top of the list of possible partners was Randall Robertson, who for the past 12 years has operated Gladdening Light, a Winter Park-based non-profit that sponsored an annual symposium that drew speakers and attendees from all over the U.S.
“The more I talked to Mr. Robertson, the more it became obvious that to ensure the continuity of WPI in a way that honors its tradition and delivers what Winter Park residents expect, he should be the person to run it,” said Winter Park Magazine editor and publisher Randy Noles. “Happily for everyone, he was at once committed and enthusiastic.”
Robertson said he is a long-time fan of WPI because it provided a forum for citizens “to hear from thought leaders in the public square, challenging us to stretch our thinking.”
“We want to continue attracting visionaries and extraordinary people from the arts and humanities, the sciences and literature, to advance public themes in education, society, the economy and politics,” said Robertson.
Robertson, himself a WPI speaker in 2012, said the new Winter Park Public Library and Events Center will be WPI’s official home, and that most of its events will be in one of the venues at the complex. “The Institute represents a beautiful opportunity to showcase Winter Park to the world,” he said.
To comment or read comments from others, click here →
by Anne Mooney | Jun 27, 2021 | News
ARPA Funds Available to Non-Profits
Funding for non-profits that do not already receive City funding
by Anne Mooney / June 27, 2021
In May, the City announced it would receive about $13 million in COVID-19 recovery funds over the coming year. In addition to the dozen or so not-for-profit entities that already receive City subsidies, the Commission has allocated $200,000 for any 501(c)(3) in the City, subject to certain restrictions.
Application posted on City website July 1
Beginning July 1, any not-for-profit 501(c)(3) in good standing that is headquartered in Winter Park, whose annual operating expenses do not exceed $2 million, may apply for organizational funding support from the American Rescue Plan (ARPA). Applicants can begin the application process by going to cityofwinterpark.org/ARPA.
Successful applicants must have been in operation for at least the past three years. The organization must have a Board of Directors responsible for oversight, and it must provide a service. Applicants must demonstrate a detrimental impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grants up to $25,000
This is a grant program, not a loan. The maximum amount available to each organization is $25,000 or one-half the annual operating expense, whichever is less.
The grant process is designed to assist not-for-profits in their recovery efforts and to ensure that allocations of public funds are used to offer services that can be provided to greater advantage by not-for-profit community organizations.
Non-profits already receiving City funding
ARPA funds also have been set aside for a dozen non-profits that receive annual Organization Support as a line item in the City’s budget, but those ARPA funds are separate from this $200,000 pot. The 501(c)(3)s that already receive City funding include the Winter Park Public Library, Historical Association, United Arts, Polasek, Winter Park Day Nursery, Blue Bamboo, Welbourne Day Nursery, Enzian Theatre, Winter Park Playhouse, Depugh Nursing Home and the Heritage Center (Crealde).
To comment or read comments from others, click here →
by Anne Mooney | Jun 25, 2021 | Uncategorized
Progress Point Survey
Never Asked, ‘Should We Keep It Green?’
Guest Columnist Leslie K. Poole / June 25, 2021
Winter Park today has an extraordinary opportunity to create more park space amid the metropolitan area’s sea of asphalt and development. The mayor and city commissioners are considering the future of four-acre Progress Point, an old utility department site at the intersection of Orange Ave. and Denning Dr.
Residents polled about Progress Point
In March residents were polled about their preferences for its redevelopment. Possibilities included a massive parking garage and retail space the size of a typical Publix grocery story. As if the City needs to be a landlord to companies that will compete with existing businesses.
The missing question
At no time have planners considered making the property all green space, with trees, benches, and walkways that enhance our growing need to get outdoors to de-stress, breathe and soak in nature’s beauty. Sadly, city pollsters didn’t even give residents that option.
Residents responded anyway
What the poll did show was that residents value tree shade, gardens, lawns, and native plantings as part of any design. That supports numerous national studies that show people want and love park space. It makes urban living more peaceful. It raises nearby property values. It enhances shopping and dining experiences for anyone who visits the area.
Progress Point – missing link in the Emerald Necklace
Even more wonderful, a Progress Point Park would be far more than a neighborhood space—it would be another link in a citywide necklace of “green” gems, further enhancing Winter Park’s livability. Imagine walking or riding a bike from Mead Botanical Garden to Progress Point to Martin Luther King Jr. Park to Central Park and beyond. That is a vision that few cities have—or are able to create.
As a founding trustee of the Winter Park Land Trust, which aims to increase usable park space in the city, I can report that the Trust has voted to endorse “maximum green space” at Progress Point. We must urge city leaders to reconsider current proposals that contain development.
Add more park to Winter Park
It’s time to stop and smell the roses in Central Park that make our city so unique. Ask the Mayor and Commissioners to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to add more “park” to Winter Park. Our grandchildren and their grandchildren will thank us.
Leslie Poole is an award winning journalist and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at Rollins College.
To comment or read comments from others, click here →
by Anne Mooney | Jun 22, 2021 | Zoning and Development
Keep Progress Point Green
Open Letter to Mayor and Commissioners
Guest Columnist Charley Williams / June 22, 2021
Over 360 folks signed our online petition.
‘We, the undersigned residents of Winter Park, envision a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to increase greenspace as the city considers the future of Progress Point. We believe the highest and best use is a 4.4-acre park with shade trees, walking paths and benches where residents can escape their homes and enjoy relief from the concrete urban chaos of today’s world.
Even better, the park would link Mead Botanical Garden and Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, offering greater recreational opportunities for those who want to explore the city without a car. There is a national push for every American to have a park within a 10-minute walk. This greenspace can help us reach that goal.
Surveys across the U.S. show that we want and need more park space. Once paved, these limited assets are lost forever. We ask for your stewardship and protection of this unique city-owned parcel for generations to come.’
Sharing some of the comments we’ve received:
“The re-wilding of this property would put Winter Park on the map internationally for all the right reasons.
“Florida has less park space per population than any other state.”
“Green space is our most important asset.”
“This is a rare opportunity, and there may not be too many more.”
“The neighborhood needs green space. Look kitty-corner across the street (across the railroad tracks and opposite the playground), where there once stood two houses is now a cluster of rental houses. The neighborhood wanted community gardens there. Instead, we got an extension of Rollins. No more development.”
“Winter Park needs more open green space to balance the ratio of people and the spaces they need outside their homes.”
“Green space is essential to life.”
“Winter Park deserves more green spaces.”
“The Charm and Beauty of Winter Park is the beautiful parks and gardens. Please do everything to preserve the natural beauty of Winter Park.”
With continued appreciation, in community.
To comment or read comments from others, click here →
by Anne Mooney | Jun 20, 2021 | News, Taxes, Zoning and Development
Open Letter to Current Mayor & Commissioners
Do not blow this opportunity again. Now is the time for the Post Office!
Guest Columnist Sally Flynn / June 20, 2021
On June 9, the Orlando Sentinel published a letter from six former Winter Park mayors cautioning the current Winter Park Commission against acquiring the Winter Park Post Office property for the purpose of expanding Central Park.
I do not care what these past mayors think about how we should spend our money, and I don’t believe most Winter Park citizens do, either.
In 1886, When Charles Hosmer Morse deeded the land that is now Central Park to the City, that deed came with a restriction protecting the park from commercial use or development. For 135 years, Winter Parkers have honored that restriction and have taken pride in enhancing and expanding the park.
Protecting the Park
Over the years, City leaders have created a web of local ordinances to protect the park. In 1999, a citizens’ initiative put in place a prohibition to keep the City from building on land in or adjacent to Central Park. In 2009, the height of properties affecting the open vista of Central Park was limited to two stories. In 2011, the downtown area that includes Park Avenue, Central Park and the Post Office was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In the 2016 Visioning process, Winter Park residents stated unequivocally that one of their top priorities is the expansion of green space within our community.
City has long history of effort to acquire the Post Office
In 2014, then-Congressman John Mica arranged a meeting with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and the City, and a series of productive negotiations commenced. The USPS agreed to allow their facilities to be separated between a downtown retail facility and a separate distribution facility. This made the project more affordable and was agreeable to both the City and USPS.
USPS was willing to move
By January 2015, negotiations had progressed. USPS Vice-president of Facilities wrote in response to City Manager Randy Knight’s suggestion of a particular site, “Randy, after completing a few layouts, we believe that the site has high potential of working for us (subject to a 30% design). I think you should proceed with your discussion with the City Council.”
City stalls negotiations
Instead of following the USPS V.P.’s recommendations to continue discussions at the Commission level, however, staff prepared an agenda item recommending the Commission delay negotiations and, instead, prepare a notice of disposition to sell Progress Point and use the proceeds to purchase the Post Office. Mayor Steve Leary moved to cease negotiations with the Post Office; his motion passed on a 3-2 vote.
CRA funding becomes available
Fast-forward to October 28, 2019, when the City Commission voted 5-0 to execute a Resolution in support of acquiring the USPS property to expand Central Park, dedicating this land to park use in perpetuity. In January 2020, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) voted to allocate funding for the Post Office acquisition in the CRA Capital Improvement Plan.
On January 27, 2020, the Commission voted to direct the City Manager to move forward to negotiate and execute a Letter of Intent to buy the Post Office Property. The City now has funds budgeted for FY 2021 and FY 2022 to bring this project to fruition.
Now is the time
Our CRA is scheduled to go out of existence in 2026. After that happens, putting together the necessary funds to acquire the Post Office property will be very difficult, if not impossible. Now is the time for our City to show it has the courage of its convictions: now is the time to act.
To comment or read comments from others, click here →
Recent Comments