by Beth Kassab | Nov 26, 2024 | City Commission, News
Photos: New Christmas decor debuts in Central Park
More immersive experiences like a carousel and a tunnel of white lights offer shoppers and diners reasons to linger
Nov. 26, 2024
By Beth Kassab
Later this week a carousel will debut next to City Hall as part of the enhanced Christmas display approved by City Commissioners earlier this year.
The City Commission voted to double the money it spends on the Park Avenue District’s decor to about $200,000. Some of the money was intended as a match for $100,000 the district must raise privately.
Holiday orbs light up Park Avenue, a familiar feature of the city’s Christmas decor.
More than 150,000 white lights plus new wreaths and a “cathedral of lights” in Central Park debuted earlier this month. The children’s carousel will arrive on Friday. For a full list of holiday events in Winter Park click here.
The district hopes the more immersive decor provides a reason for more shoppers and diners to visit the avenue over the holiday season.
A brightly colored menorah stands in Central Park as the new tunnel of white lights glows in the background.
Families pose for photos Sunday evening under the new “Cathedral of Lights” in Central Park.
A scene from Central Park on a recent evening.
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by Beth Kassab | Nov 22, 2024 | City Commission, News, Uncategorized, Zoning and Development
Winter Park Commission to consider how to fix storm flooding
The idea of floating new bonds emerged at a work session last month, but an increase in stormwater fees already in motion may do the trick
Nov. 22, 2024
By Beth Kassab
When commissioners meet next month for their final meeting of the year, they are likely to consider one of the city’s most pressing ongoing problem: how to control flooding highlighted by a series of major storms in recent years.
City staff is finishing recommendations for where to start when it comes to a list of as much as $40 million worth of proposed fixes in Winter Park and, in some cases, extending into neighboring Orlando, Orange County and Seminole County.
Those include running new pipes to connect lakes to better manage heavy downpours, replacing culverts and expanding ditches.
Such projects may not make for the most compelling City Commission debates — they are the kind of thing most residents don’t think about until they can’t drive down a street because of flooding or until they can see lake levels rising and threatening homes and businesses.
But it’s that nitty gritty of local government that has proven crucial to hurricane recovery and quality of life, especially in the wake of Hurricane Ian in 2022 and then Milton and Helene this year.
“There is politics and people can disagree on politics,” said Charles Ramdatt, director of Public Works and Transportation at a City Commission work session last month. “But science is science and what we observe is reality. And there’s no disagreement that we’re getting more frequent storm events. We have more frequent major events as well.”
Specific projects and estimated costs were identified in three studies the city paid for to determine ways to improve how stormwater is stored and managed.
They include $4.6 million to add a pump station and expand Lake Mendsen at MLK Park just outside the Library & Events Center. Surrounding neighborhoods have routinely seen flooding after storms. There’s also the idea of running a pipe (estimated at nearly $600,000) to connect Lake Mendsen to Lake Rose, the former Winter Park sinkhole just a few blocks away at the corner of Fairbanks Avenue and Denning Drive, which is known to flood at times.
Also on the list are about $600,000 worth of improvements to Lake Killarney. And there are multiple proposed lake connection such as from Lake Knowles to Lake Maitland (at $2.2 million) and Lake Grace to Lake Forest and Lake Sue (at more than $2 million).
In some cases, neighboring Orlando or the counties could contribute to the cost of the fixes.
Mayor Sheila DeCiccio said at the recent workshop that she wants to make sure the projects truly make a difference in the places where people have experienced storm flooding.
“I’m very concerned because I’m not sure how these fixes are going to fix the flooding on Morse (Boulevard) or Denning … into streets and homes,” she said. “I don’t know if it’s enough.”
Ramdatt said aging infrastructure is also part of the problem and told commissioners his department will soon have its own diagnostic equipment to help locate leaky underground pipes or other concerns.
“It’s like doing a cardiac cath,” he said, likening the investigations to when a doctor examines heart valves for leaks or blockages and makes fixes to improve the patient’s health and heart efficiency. “So we’re going to do that analysis to understand those and fix those.”
Commissioners also considered how residents will pay for the improvements.
In some cases, the newly expanded Community Redevelopment Agency — which is allowed to hold on to tax dollars that would otherwise go to Orange County — can pay for some projects, particularly on the west side of the city near Fairbanks and Interstate 4 and in the central business corridor.
Some commissioners said they were in favor of also asking voters to approve issuing new bonds to cover the expenses. But there likely wouldn’t be enough time to get the question on the March ballot, when two commission seats are also up for election and voters will decide on whether to keep the ban on gas-powered leaf blowers.
Knight said it’s possible the higher stormwater fees already approved by the commission will be enough to pay for the projects. Residents started paying an extra penny last year and will go up again by a penny next year. Those payments generated $700,000 the first year and an estimated $1.4 million this year.
The fees are calculated on the amount of impervious surface (generally concrete) on a homeowner’s lot at 7 cents per square foot this year.
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by Beth Kassab | Nov 14, 2024 | City Commission, News, Uncategorized, Zoning and Development
City to be new landlord for Michelin-star restaurant and Austin's Coffee in $4 million deal
The mayor says leases on the property will be honored, but the city needs the land for drainage and road projects
Nov. 14, 2024
By Beth Kassab
City Commissioners voted unanimously to pay $4 million for an acre of land on the corner of Fairbanks Avenue and Denning Drive that is home to Chef Michael Collantes’ Soseki, which earned a Michelin star in 2022, and longtime community spot Austin’s Coffee.
The vote came after owners of the businesses made pleas for the city to allow them to continue to operate or help them relocate.
Mayor Sheila DeCiccio said the seller of the property approached the city and “if we don’t buy it, it will go to someone else.”
City officials have eyed the land for roughly 20 years as a potential piece needed to widen the busy intersection to improve traffic flow, add stormwater drainage and grow neighboring MLK Park, popular for its playing fields.
Chef Michael Collantes
“In addition to the left turn lanes … there will also be an opportunity to expand the park,” DeCiccio said. “So what I want to make clear is when we purchase this, we are not looking to terminate any leases. We are not looking to buy them out. We are looking to honor the leases there.”
But that promise didn’t alleviate trepidation from Collantes who spoke to the commission and noted the more than $1 million investment he has in the intimate modern omakase-style restaurant. He also has other concepts in the building including Bar Kada, home to a large sake collection, and is set to open Perla’s Pizza Cocktails and more next year. He has lease options on the property that run through 2035.
“We put in quite a big amount of money in infrastructure,” he told commissioners. “I would hate to pick up and move this amazing restaurant and move outside of the city of Winter Park.”
Jackie Moore, co-owner of Austin’s, said her lease is set to expire next year and questioned whether adding left turn lanes would make a noticeable difference for motorists.
“If a turn lane is put in, it would take seconds off, not minutes off,” she said, referencing a conversation she had with officials at the state Department of Transportation. “You would be displacing businesses that have been there for decades.”
She added that the city should compensate the business owners if they are forced to move.
The 1-acre property at 929 W. Fairbanks Avenue is owned by a company managed by Andrew Dubill, a principal in Avanti Properties Group based on nearby Pennsylvania Avenue.
The seller was not at the meeting but City Manager Randy Knight stepped out at one point to phone the property company’s representative after commissioners asked for 75 days rather than 60 days for due diligence before finalizing the deal. The seller agreed to the change.
Commissioners discussed whether they might lower the price they are willing to pay if the due diligence turns up code violations or environmental damage from former businesses that will require costly work.
“We would either have them fix it or reduce the purchase price accordingly and go in and fix it ourselves,” DeCiccio said.
Knight said it could take years before the turn lanes are added or the other projects take place such as the beautification of Lake Rose — now the name of the famous 1981 sinkhole that swallowed a home and at least five Porches at a repair shop.
At least some of the businesses could still operate even if that work is underway, perhaps with a reorienting of the building entrances toward the park. The six leases, which expire between 2025 and 2035, bring in about $180,000 in rent each year.
The city will use $1 million from the parks acquisition fund and $3 million from the newly-expanded Community Redevelopment District to cover the purchase price.
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by Beth Kassab | Nov 11, 2024 | City Commission, News, Zoning and Development
City to consider buying Austin's Coffee House to widen road and improve MLK Park
The potential land deal is one in a series of acquisitions to add turn lanes at Fairbanks Avenue and Denning Drive
Nov. 11, 2024
By Beth Kassab
The City Commission this week will consider spending $4 million to purchase the buildings leased by Austin’s Coffee House and neighboring shops to expand the intersection at Fairbanks Avenue and Denning Drive and expand MLK Park.
The 1-acre property at 929 W. Fairbanks Avenue is owned by a company managed by Andrew Dubill, a principal in Avanti Properties Group based on nearby Pennsylvania Avenue.
Winter Park leaders have slowly been acquiring nearby land to improve the busy intersection, including two properties to the east as well as right-of-way from the property owner at the northeast corner of the intersection.
The concept is to construct a left turn lane in both directions on Fairbanks to improve traffic flow, according to a staff report. The nearby park could also see potential improvements with extra land available, including the beautification of Lake Rose — the current moniker for the famous 1981 sinkhole that swallowed a home and at least five Porches at a repair shop.
With the property, would come at least four leases from businesses occupying the storefronts, according the staff report. Those all have expiration dates between 2025 and 2035 and bring in about $180,000 in rent each year.
The city would potentially takeover as landlord while the project planning is underway, a process estimated to take two to three years.
The staff report suggested some of the stores could still operate, perhaps with a reorienting of the building entrances, for a period of time.
City officials would use $1 million from the parks acquisition fund and $3 million from the newly-expanded Community Redevelopment District to cover the purchase price.
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by Beth Kassab | Nov 5, 2024 | Election, News
Kelly Semrad wins County Commission seat over Steve Leary
The UCF professor delivered a clear victory despite being outspent by the former Winter Park mayor
Nov. 5, 2024
By Beth Kassab
Kelly Semrad, who ran on an Orange County Commission race focused on limiting sprawl and diversifying how tourist tax dollars are spent, clinched a decisive victory over Steve Leary, who outspent her by 4 to 1.
Semrad took 57% of the vote compared to Leary’s 43% of the vote for the commission’s District 5 seat, which represents a swath of Orange from downtown Orlando through Winter Park to the eastern rural edges of the county.
“Orange County stood up really loud and proud and said they’ve had enough with irresponsible growth and development,” Semrad said Tuesday night.
She also pointed to clear victories for county charter amendments that voters approved by wide margins to protect the rural boundary and give the County Commission veto power over landowners who want to annex into another jurisdiction such as the city of Orlando.
“It’s really clear that people are fed up with overdevelopment,” Semrad said.
That trend appeared across the county where Nicole Wilson hung on to her District 1 seat and and Mayra Uribe defended her seat in District 3.
Wilson, like Semrad, was far outspent by her opponent, Austin Arthur, who was also heavily backed by development interests.
Leary spent more than $400,000 through his campaign and a political committee he controls compared to about $100,000 spent by Semrad’s campaign, according to campaign finance reports.
“We made a commitment to refuse special interest dollars to prove we were without a doubt standing with the community when it comes to decisions that affect our quality of life,” Semrad said.
Leary did not respond to interview requests throughout the campaign season. Late Wednesday, he posted on his campaign Facebook page that he conceded to Semrad.
“I am very proud of the race that we ran and the support we had district and countywide,” he wrote. “I spoke to Kelly earlier and congratulated her on her victory and offered my assistance in any way possible moving forward.”
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by Beth Kassab | Oct 31, 2024 | City Commission, News, Uncategorized
Orange commission approves Winter Park CRA and arts funding
The Winter Park Playhouse and the Rollins art museum will benefit from tourist development tax funding set aside for community groups
Oct. 31, 2024
By Beth Kassab
The Orange County Commission this week approved two major milestones for Winter Park — an infusion of dollars that will allow major arts projects to move forward and an extension and expansion of the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency.
Heather Alexander, the co-founder and executive director of the Winter Park Playhouse, expressed relief after the unanimous vote of the commission that will keep the beloved community musical theater in Winter Park after it nearly lost its lease. Without the TDT dollars, the future of the organization was uncertain.
“I cried … my husband was to the right of me and he grabbed my hand and he was like, ‘OK this is it,’ and one of the commissioners made the motion and as soon as they said it was unanimous I just burst into tears,” she said. “It was a big day for arts and culture.”
The playhouse project, through a partnership with the city of Winter Park to purchase and renovate its current building after nearly losing its lease, will receive $8 million between now and 2028. The city will own the building and the playhouse will continue to operate as a nonprofit there through a long-term lease.
The same vote also secured $10 million for the Rollins Art Museum, which made a bid to take over the old Winter Park Library but was pushed aside for the Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts.
Other groups receiving TDT dollars include:
- City of Apopka: $13.1 million to construct and improve softball fields, the amphitheater and other facilities. Estimated total cost of the project is $13.3 million.
- 4R Foundation: $12 million for a community events center plus and outdoor stage and lawn at 4Roots Campus, which also includes a farm and classroom space in Orlando’s Packing District neighborhood. Estimated total cost of the project is $65 million.
- Orlando Science Center: $13.9 million enlarge and remodel the outdoor terrace and event venue. Estimated total cost of the project is $14.1 million.
- Rollins College: $10 million to construct a new art museum for new art museum. Estimated total project cost is $30.6 million.
- Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation: $2.1 million to improve the auditorium, including a patron’s room. Estimated total project cost is $3.1 million.
- Winter Garden Art Association: $4 million for a new museum next to the current space. Estimated total cost of the project is $7 million.
- Orlando Family Stage: $5.8 million to remodel and operate the auditorium. Estimated total project cost is $7.6 million.
- City of Winter Park : $8 million to acquire, enlarge and remodel the Winter Park Playhouse. Estimated cost of the total project is $10 million.
- Friends of the Mennello: $2 million (request was $13 million) to enlarge and improve the folk art museum. Estimated total cost is $30 million.
- Orlando Museum of Art: $2 million (request was $7.2 million) to repair the roof and HVAC system. Total cost of the project is estimated at $7.5 million.
- PAST/Wells’ Built Museum: $2 million (request was $5 million) to acquire the property and construct and improve the museum and auditorium. Estimated total cost is $10 million.
At the same meeting, the county took the final step to continue Winter Park’s CRA until at least 2037 rather than sunset it in 2027 and grow the boundaries along Fairbanks Avenue toward Interstate 4.
Larger boundaries mean more property tax revenue that would typically go to the county government will remain in Winter Park for projects such as sewer infrastructure, road improvements and other needs.
The new CRA, which is controlled by the City Commission, is projected to generate between $162 million and $213 million in revenue through 2037.
“It’s a very elegant mechanism to make sure more of our taxpayer dollars stay with the city,” said Peter Moore, director of management and budget, at a city meeting earlier this year.
CRA’s are used across Florida by cities and counties as a way to finance redevelopment and specific projects. It works like this: property values within a CRA’s boundaries are frozen at a certain year — in this case that year would be 2023. Then, as values rise, any taxes on those properties collected above the frozen amount go into a CRA fund rather than back to the city and county that would typically collect them. (The city and county still collect taxes each year up to the frozen amount and school board taxes are not affected.)
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