by Beth Kassab | Nov 7, 2023 | Uncategorized
King statue moving forward at MLK Park
The installation known as “Ripple” by artist Andrew Luy is on track for a groundbreaking early next year
Nov. 7, 2023
By Beth Kassab
A larger-than-life-size statute of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. surrounded by concentric seating is undergoing final site design for MLK Park near the corner of Denning Drive and Morse Boulevard.
A rendering of the installation by New York artist Andrew Luy was approved by a city task force as well as an entity that represents the King family, according to a report to be provided to City Commissioners this week.
A groundbreaking is likely in early 2024. Commissioners approved the project, which will cost $450,000, in April.
The artwork known as “Ripple” is designed to show how King’s influence on movements for peace and equality continues to spread today. The bronze statue shows King’s hand outstretched in a characteristic gesture he made while speaking and is intended to “symbolize his calm, non-violent movement,” according to Luy.
Black granite memorial walls “with inscriptions of the former families that once lived on MLK Park and concentric seating is meant to be contemplative and reverberating,” according to the artist’s description.
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by Beth Kassab | Nov 4, 2023 | City Commission, News
Seven Oaks Park construction expected to start in late November
The update on the city’s newest park is part of an overview on building projects across Winter Park
Nov. 3, 2023
By Beth Kassab
Construction on Seven Oaks Park is planned for late November, according to an update released this week.
The update, which is the latest version of Winter Park’s status report on a number of projects and is part of the agenda for the next City Commission meeting, says construction firm Collage soon provide the city with an exact start date. Collage will also work with the city to provide businesses and residents information about how the construction will affect parking and sidewalks.
Seven Oaks Park is the city’s newest park planned for the corner of Orange Avenue and Denning Drive.
A groundbreaking was held earlier this year.
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by Beth Kassab | Nov 3, 2023 | City Commission, News
Winter Park to become latest city to ban smoking and vaping at parks
The state lifted a law last year that prohibited local governments from making their own rules when it comes to smoking
Nov. 3, 2023
By Beth Kassab
In recent years cities and counties have become accustomed to the Florida Legislature taking away local authority on everything from gun safety to policies on climate change and rent control.
The slew of pre-emption statues out of Tallahassee prohibit local governments from crafting their own solutions to a number of issues that included, until recently, bans on smoking and vaping in public parks.
In 2022, the Legislature repealed that pre-emption and Winter Park is poised to become the latest city to enact its own ban as a result.
The City Commission will on Wednesday consider a new ordinance to ban smoking and vaping in public parks, beaches and recreation facilities.
The purpose of the ban is to provide a more pleasant experience for people using the parks and “to ensure the safety and health of park guests from the hazards of second-hand smoke,” according to a staff memo.
About two dozen cities across Florida have adopted similar ordinances.
The cost of the change is expected to be minimal, according to city staff, with “No Smoking” signs among the biggest expense.
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by Beth Kassab | Nov 3, 2023 | City Commission, News, Uncategorized
Ravaudage asking for $300k reimbursement from city
The mixed-use development is looking for a 50% reimbursement for improvements in newly annexed zones
Nov. 2, 2023
By Beth Kassab
The Ravaudage development on the corner of U.S. 17-92 and Lee Road is already entitled to as much as $1.2 million over 10 years in city reimbursements for road improvements and is now looking for an additional $300,000.
The new reimbursement, which will be up for consideration at next week’s City Commission meeting, is tied to improvements on sections of Lewis Drive and Bennett Avenue, which were annexed into the city in 2020 and so weren’t part of the original agreement with the developer.
Multimodal Transportation Impact Fees paid by businesses within Ravaudage is expected to raise more money than the reimbursement amount estimated at $301,327. Impact fees are paid by developers to cities or counties as part of the development approval process. The dollars are typically used to offset additional costs to local governments to be caused by the new homes or businesses such as police, fire, sewer or schools.
“It is anticipated that the planned fitness facility is likely to generate impact fees in excess of this amount,” stated a staff memo on the proposed agreement, apparently a reference to the newest type of development underway in Ravaudage.
The memo also stated that the agreement is the “final change” to the original 2017 agreement that specified up to $1.2 million in city reimbursements for road improvements at the development.
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by Beth Kassab | Oct 27, 2023 | City Commission, News, Uncategorized
Four-day work week for City Hall postponed
City Commission seeks more information on customer service impact
Oct. 27, 2023
By Beth Kassab
Winter Park City Hall’s plans to move to a four-day work week for many employees is on hold after Mayor Phil Anderson asked for more clarity on customer service standards.
The City Commission voted to table the change until next month.
City staff conducted a survey and 80% of employees are in favor of four 10-hour days versus the five-day traditional work week. Other cities such as Maitland and Casselberry already operate under such a schedule.
Under the new schedule, City Hall would still remain open five days with a staggered employee schedule.
The police and fire departments as well as the parks and recreation department would be excluded from the change, according to a staff memo.
The financial impact would be “minimal,” according to a staff memo.
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