by Beth Kassab | Oct 20, 2025 | Arts and Culture, City Commission, Library, News
How Should City Commission Give Dollars to Nonprofits?
The City Commission will consider this week a new system for awarding nonprofit grants and also discuss if the Parks & Rec department should sell ads and sponsorships
Oct. 20, 2025
By Beth Kassab
Each year the city of Winter Park, like many local governments, doles out a portion of public dollars to help nonprofits like Mead Botanical Gardens, Winter Park Day Nursery, the Winter Park Library and Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts.
But this year, amid economic and budget uncertainty, the City Commission held back $140,000 — and didn’t renew one-time grants to the Winter Park Institute and Men of Integrity — with the intent of formalizing the grant process and determining who is eligible.
This week commissioners are slated to finally have that discussion on Thursday in a workshop.
The conversation comes about amid major cuts to arts and nonprofit funding on the state level and efforts by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration to showcase what it deems as “wasteful” local government spending through its “DOGE Team.” The administration is targeting cities and counties with audits and press conferences that it claims are highlighting “waste, fraud and abuse” such as a tree inventory program at the city of Orlando or programs for LGBT youth services in Orange County.
City staff are proposing the creation of a temporary committee each year that would evaluate grant requests and make recommendations for 10 recipients of $10,000 each for “relevant, and meaningful, arts, science, history, social services, and educational experiences of value to the local community.” The committee members would consist of people who already serve on other city advisory boards such as Parks & Recreation and Historic Preservation.
To be eligible, nonprofits must serve Winter Park and can not support a political cause or candidate, can not be connected to a for-profit business and can not already be receiving more than $10,000 in funding from the city, according to the proposal.
The money for the grants comes from .25% of the gross revenue from each of the city’s three major funds — the general fund, electric and water and wastewater.
That generates about $442,000. Some organizations already receive a yearly allotment from that pool. The new policy would address new requests totaling about $100,000.
Those that receive yearly funding, including the Winter Park Library, are:
- Mead Botanical Gardens: $102,000
- Winter Park Historical Association: $97,000
- Winter Park Day Nursery: $42,500
- United Arts: $20,000
- Blue Bamboo: $12,500
- Polasek Museum: $28,000
- Winter Park Library: $2.1 million
The staff report also noted that state government has targeted the ability of Community Redevelopment Agencies to support nonprofits, though so far, there have been no changes to the law. In the future, however, CRAs may be prohibited from making such grants.
Winter Park’s CRA makes the following contributions, according to the 2026 budget:
- Enzian Theater: $10,000
- Heritage Center: $50,000
- Welbourne Day Nursery: $43,000
- Winter Park Playhouse: $49,300
- Depugh Nursing Home: $24,000 (This group recently announced it’s closing)
Ads at Parks?
Commissioners will also discuss on Thursday a plan that city staff estimates could generate $100,000 a year by selling ads and sponsorships at city parks or events.
The effort would mostly focus on the city’s two golf courses, the tennis center and other parks with high foot traffic. Central Park, the highest-profile public green space along Park Avenue, would be off limits to advertisers, according to the proposal.
Some examples of places where the city could sell ads to raise extra funds: interior fencing at tennis courts, golf course scorecards, banners in gymnasiums or fields or t-shirts for adult athletic leagues or summer camps. Sponsorships could be sold for city events such as the Fourth of July celebration, Weekend of the Arts and Dinner on the Avenue or programs such as Movies in the Park or the rotating art installations set to begin next year in Seven Oaks Park.
“Today, financial and in-kind support is even more critical as the investment needed to sustain and improve the parks, facilities, and programs continues to rise,” reads a memo about the proposal. “Like other park and recreation departments across the nation, the parks and recreation department is pursuing more sophisticated business partnerships with the for-profit and non-profit sectors, in the form of events, programs, projects, and site sponsorship along with limited advertising.”
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by Beth Kassab | Jul 11, 2025 | City Commission, Library, News, Uncategorized
Winter Park has a Long List of Complaints over Library and Events Center Construction
City officials and the contractor are meeting to try to resolve the problems
July 11, 2025
By Beth Kassab
Note: This story has been updated to include a statement from the contractor received on Saturday.
During the nearly four years since the more than $42 million Library and Events Center opened, Winter Park officials have compiled a list of what they say are construction concerns such as fracturing glass in some of the large panoramic windows, roof leaks, problems with the elevator and even the port-cochere, the grand covered entrance to the structure.
City Manager Randy Knight recently told the City Commission that the city is frequently meeting with representatives from contractor Brasfield & Gorrie to resolve the problems.
“Right now, we think they are going to resolve these issues,” Knight said. “But we’re going to go ahead and preserve our rights” before the statute of limitations runs out on filing a lawsuit over the claims.
This week the city notified the construction company and insurers of what it considers to be a “default” on the job to preserve the city’s right to sue if the problems aren’t fixed.
A spokeswoman for Brasfield & Gorrie, a national construction firm with offices in eight states that reported $6.4 billion in revenues last year, confirmed on Saturday that the firm is in talks with the city.
“We are discussing the city’s concerns and seeking resolution,” said a statement from the company.
Voters narrowly approved a bond referendum for $30 million in 2016 to pay for the project designed by British architect David Adjaye. Then, in 2020, the City Commission approved spending $41.7 million on the project. But, so far, the final tally is even higher at $42.3 million after the city added another $300,000 in 2022 from the American Rescue Plan Act, the federal stimulus package spurred by the pandemic.
The letter to the contractor lists 12 items that “has not been performed per plans and specifications” from the doors, lighting, air-conditioning and even the bathroom faucets along with the doors, windows, roof leaks and other concerns.
City spokeswoman Clarissa Howard said on Friday the contractor is continuing to meet with the city and working to resolve the matter.
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by Beth Kassab | Jul 10, 2025 | City Commission, Library, News, Uncategorized
Winter Park Approves Limits on Protests and Activity at Library and Events Center
In a split vote, the City Commission approved a new ordinance that they claim is based on complaints over photo shoots and one small protest at the public buildings
July 10, 2025
By Beth Kassab
The Winter Park City Commission on Wednesday voted 3-2 to approve an ordnance that draws a boundary around the Library and Events Center as essentially a new “no protest” or gathering zone.
Mayor Sheila DeCiccio and commissioners Craig Russell and Kris Cruzada voted in favor of the ordinance. Commissioners Warren Lindsey and Marty Sullivan voiced strong objections to the change and voted against it.
DeCiccio and city staff say the ordinance is needed to protect groups and individuals who rent space in the buildings for weddings, corporate meetings and other events from disruptions from people who may want to stage protests or use the $41 million complex’s unique architecture as a backdrop for extensive photo shoots or other gatherings.
The Winter Park Events Center opened in late 2021 and was designed by British architect David Adjaye.
The new “no protest” area — the blue line drawn around the complex in the image above — mostly hugs the outline of the buildings, but also includes a large amount of outdoor space on the southeast corner of the building, which has large windows looking out onto Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
Lindsey, a criminal defense attorney, noted the irony of the city imposing what he views as First Amendment restrictions on the same week Winter Park plans to dedicate its commissioned larger-than-life bronze statue of King at an installation in the park known as Unity Corner.
“I think it’s interesting that this coming up Saturday we are going to be dedicating the statue … probably within 200 or 300 yards of the restricted areas,” he said, noting that the monument includes the words “courage is the power of the mind to overcome fear.” “I think a lot of times there a temptation that because we’re fearful of something we will overreact and Martin Luther King Jr. provided us instruction on that.”
He called the ordinance an “unnecessary use of government power.”
“We should be very, very careful how we use our power, especially how we use our police power,” he said. “And the only real argument for passing this thing is to deal with a hypothetical problem that has not occurred … that is something we should be very careful about doing.”
A list of 15 “disturbances” since the beginning of this year provided by the city is not enough justification for the ordinance, Lindsey and Sullivan argued. Of those, 10 are described as “photo shoot with props” or “prom photos.” One noted a “changing booth” and “lights.”
The other disturbances were listed as “cars blocking traffic” or “skateboarding/rollerblading/scooter.” Only one was listed as “group with signs” or anything resembling a demonstration or a protest.
A police dispatch call log noted someone called police just after 6 p.m. on May 15 to report “6-7 people outside on the south side near the lake, holding up signs protesting.”
About the same time the police arrived, the caller called back to report “her boss says they are allowed to be there.”
At the time, the events center was being rented by the Orlando Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society for an event featuring Josh Blackman, who was recently appointed by President Donald Trump to the Religious Liberty Commission’s advisory board of legal experts. Blackman is a constitutional law professor at South Texas College of Law Houston.
Winter Park attorney Michael Sasso is the president of the Orlando chapter.
Sullivan said people should be required to pull permits for elaborate photo shoots and that there are laws on the books already to address cars blocking traffic or disorderly conduct. But the kind of demonstration that occured on May 15 should not be limited.
“I have it from a reliable source there were four people at 5:30 in the afternoon standing there with small signs,” he said. “To me, that should be an allowable public gathering and that in my mind illustrates how this [ordinance] goes beyond what is needed … this prohibits activities that in my mind are permitted First Amendment activities.
City Attorney Daniel Langley argued that the city is allowed to put more restrictions on the library and events center because it’s not “traditional public forum” because it’s rented out and used by other entities.
He said that perimeter is drawn tightly around the buildings and, in many cases, “they could move two feet into the parking lot and continue that activity.”
The ordinance calls for a warning to be issued before people are trespassed from the area and potentially given a fine.
Commissioner Craig Russell said he is in favor of the ordinance because it’s about safety and protecting the space for those renting the venue.
“… We’re also not trying to recreate Tiananmen Square either as a city, so I think this is a very reasonable measure,” he said, referring to the 1989 crackdown on protests by the Chinese government. “Out of all the green spaces we have in the city, why there? It’s a unique space and we have the responsibility to protect it … I truly believe it’s not about stifling rights or anything of that nature.”
DeCiccio, also an attorney, cited a U.S. Supreme Court case over a municipal bandshell that she said allows the city to put restrictions in place.
She said the ordinances “does not silence voices,” but sets aside a “relatively small area” to be protected from potential disruptions.
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by Beth Kassab | Jul 8, 2025 | Arts and Culture, City Commission, Library, News
What Sparked Proposed Protest Ban at Library & Events Center? Mostly photo shoots
Records show photo shoots account for most of the reported disruptions at the Library and Events Center, a popular TikTok backdrop with its sharp angles and vaulted rooflines
July 8, 2025
By Beth Kassab
Winter Park ordered up a spectacle with a more than $41 million Library & Events Center by British architect David Adjaye featuring rose-tinted concrete of sweeping angles and a complex of vaulted pavilions.
The Winter Park Events Center. Photo courtesy of the city of Winter Park.
And that’s exactly what it got based on the reasoning for a proposed new ordinance to limit protests and other gatherings at the public space that opened in late 2021 at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
“Because of current unrest that is being experienced around the country as well as recent event-related interruptions that have been reported at the Library and Events Center, the city felt this ordinance was necessary,” City spokeswoman Clarissa Howard said in an email. “The Library and Events Center has become a very popular rental venue for weddings, reunions, and other special events. It also architecturally lends itself to serve as a beautiful backdrop for professional and amateur photographers and all types of video productions/recordings. This ordinance would clearly outline the areas in which these types of activities can co-exist balancing public safety and free speech. It is a proactive measure to prevent potential hazards to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.”
A list provided by Howard includes 15 “disturbances” since the beginning of this year. Of those, 10 are described as “photo shoot with props” or “prom photos.” One noted a “changing booth” and “lights.”
The other disturbances were listed as “cars blocking traffic” or “skateboarding/rollerblading/scooter.” Only one was listed as “group with signs” or anything resembling a demonstration or a protest.
The city provided law enforcement call logs for some of the incidents. No one was cited or arrested and the logs appear to indicate the person who called in the complaint dropped the matter or the people or vehicles who were the subject of the complaints moved or left the area when asked.
A search of TikTok and Instagram posts tagged with the library or events center address yielded a handful of users posting photo shoots, wedding videos and other content.
After the first proposal was heavily criticized by two commissioners as potentially unconstitutional last month, the City Commission on Wednesday will consider a revised ordinance that includes a more narrow boundary around the buildings than first presented.
The revised version also includes a lower fine — from a maximum of $500 per day to $200 for the first infraction — for violations referred to Code Enforcement. The new wording also explicitly exempts political activities during elections, which is governed by state law — particularly because the library is a popular early voting site.
A list provided by the city of Winter Park shows disturbances logged at the Library and Events Center in 2025.
Commissioners Warren Lindsey and Marty Sullivan objected to the new rules last month, citing free speech and other concerns.
The blue line represents the new proposed boundary around the Library and Events Center to be considered this week.
“It’s not just just speech,” Lindsey said. “It’s also the right to assembly.”
He said the ordinance is a “solution looking for a problem” and that there are other rules on the books in Winter Park such as a noise ordinance and statutes against disorderly conduct that could apply to the concerns in question.
This image shows the original boundary drawn around the no-protest zone at the Library and Events Center considered on June 25.
All of the incidents on the list took place on a day or time while the Event Center, the city’s highest money-maker when it comes to venue rentals, was rented for a wedding, fundraiser or other private event.
The venue brings in $650,000 to $700,000 each year, according to the city budget. There have been 165 events through May at the venue, mostly for weddings and non-profit or corporate events. Repeat clients include Orlando Health, AdventHealth, the League of Women Voters and City Year Orlando, the budget stated.
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by Beth Kassab | Dec 5, 2024 | City Commission, Historic Preservation, Library, News, Uncategorized
New Public Art Collection map reveals hidden treasures
The project catalogs Winter Park’s vast collection, which includes every “Best of Show” piece from the annual Sidewalk Art Festival
Dec. 5, 2024
By Beth Kassab
For the first time, the city’s collection of more than 90 pieces of art is searchable through a detailed catalog that provides photos, descriptions and an interactive map.
The new database, which is the handiwork of the Public Art Advisory Board and the city’s communications staff, provides the most comprehensive and publicly accessible ways of finding and viewing — in-person or online — Clyde Butcher’s photography, Albin Polasek’s sculptures and dozens more artists who create everything from jewelry and tapestry to watercolors and woodwork.
This photograph called “Ochopee” by Clyde Butcher taken in the Florida Everglades is part of the city’s public collection.
“The advisory board has been working on this for about a year,” said Craig O’Neil, the board’s liaison and assistant director of communications.
O’Neil said he couldn’t venture a guess as to the dollar value of the city’s collection, but that it would be an interesting figure to track down.
A number of pieces are undoubtedly valuable. For example, the public collection includes five sculptures by Polasek, whose former Lake Osceola home is now a museum, and whose work has sold at auction for tens of thousands of dollars.
A little less than a decade ago, city leaders decided to dub Winter Park the “City of Arts & Culture” and lean in to its identity as the place recognized for sidewalk art festivals, at least six museums, historic homes and a liberal arts college known for its music and theater programs.
“Mother Crying Over the World” is a sculpture by Albin Polasek in the city’s collection.
That effort also includes the formation of the Arts & Culture Alliance, which aims to market Winter Park as an arts destination.
O’Neil said the hope is that more people will utilize the map and catalog to take more notice of the art in public spaces such as local parks, City Hall (where the current “Best in Show” winner is displayed) and the library and events center. Most of the former “Best in Show” winners dating back to 1969 are housed in the library.
The city is actively accepting donations to its collection. And there are more public acquisitions in the works.
Leaders are planning to put out a call to artists for works to be installed at Seven Oaks Park, which is under construction. The Public Art Advisory Board would lead that process.
Last year the City Commission unanimously approved a plan to dedicate 10% of any increase in the Unassigned General Fund each year to the board, it’s first-ever dedicated funding source. That’s the same formula the city uses to devote money to the acquisition of park land, a plan that has raised about $1 million since it went into place in 2003 at an average of more than $50,000 a year, according to city estimates at the time of the approval.
You can search the collection catalog and map here.
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by Beth Kassab | Nov 26, 2024 | City Commission, Library, News, Uncategorized, Zoning and Development
City lets go of Post Office dream and will spend dollars elsewhere
The new spending plan for the Community Redevelopment Agency will focus on infrastructure that could help lure workforce housing near Interstate 4
Nov. 26, 2024
By Beth Kassab
After years of hoping the federal government would sell the land for the Winter Park Post Office on New York Avenue so that the city could expand Central Park, commissioners decided to use the money they saved for the purchase on other projects.
The nearly $7 million set aside in the Community Redevelopment Agency budget for the post office land will be used instead to help pay for a number of other needs such as intersection improvements at West Fairbanks Avenue and Denning Drive, new restrooms in the West Meadows and more.
Mayor Sheila DeCiccio noted in the meeting of the CRA board earlier this month that if the federal government ever does decide to sell the land, the city could finance the acquisition in other ways such as floating bonds.
She referenced how the Public Art Advisory Board is currently seeking permission to restore the historic mural on the side of the post office building — yet another project that will require the hard-to-comeby cooperation from the federal agency.
“The arts board is trying to clean up the mural and they will have to deal with them so good luck to them,” DeCiccio said.
With the reallocation of the post office funds and expected additional dollars as a result of the new expanded boundaries of the CRA down Fairbanks to Interstate 4, the board approved the outline of a new spending plan. The agency’s revenue is projected to be $9.1 million this year and grow to $10.4 million by 2029, according to city documents.
The spending plan includes:
- $10 million in 2028 and 2029 on U.S. 17-92 streetscape enhancements
- $5.1 million for MLK Park Improvements
- About $14 million on a variety of drainage, stormwater and other infrastructure improvements highlighted by recent studies to prevent flooding. The projects include MLK Park, West Fairbanks, Canton Avenue and Killarney Estates.
- $4.5 million for the intersection at Fairbanks and Denning, including the recently approved acquisition of land there.
- $1.2 million to add surface parking for the Library and Events Center.
- $1 million for a “Park Avenue Refresh.” The city is currently asking residents to fill out a survey that asks about satisfaction with landscaping, lighting, shade and other features.
- $1.2 million on construction of restrooms in the West Meadow of Central Park
City Manager Randy Knight said the improvements on West Fairbanks near I-4 in the newest area of the CRA have the potential to lead to big changes there.
“They lack the infrastructure for a serious redevelopment because of the flooding and septic there,” he said.
The work planned by the city along with potential new zoning will pave the way for more sweeping changes to the corridor and “we hope some workforce-type housing” in the area, Knight said.
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