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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“$4.5 million for the intersection at Fairbanks and Denning, including the recently approved acquisition of land there.” Acquisition of successful prominent local businesses there 🙁
Austin’s is a home for local arts and culture outside of Park Ave.
Austin’s fosters the growth of young people and independent artists.
Austin’s is a 20-year community of people who love it and what it provides.
No matter what happens to the intersection, Austin’s deserves the time and resources to adapt and stay in Winter Park.
Winter Park wants to keep Austin’s Coffee in our community!
Hello;
All we ever see is the ‘money out’ column! How about showing your Winter Park tax payers the ‘money in’ column?
I’m delighted that the WP Post Office will stay where it is!
And about time too!
The Post Office don’t want to move and there is no logic to holding back $7m for a project that is not going to happen. It is much better to spend the $$ on projects that will really make a difference to quality of life for the residents of Winter Park
Mayor, we are going to attempt to restore the mural which is of historical importance done by a recognized Central Florida artist Joseph Testa Secca. It is in need of restoration which will be a challenge. Thank you for recognizing our attempt!
There are several of us who are wishing you all best for your project!
Bravo! Most of these are real and timely needs. Central Park is a gem and while the extra post office land would have been nice, the quest to buy that property has long taken an outsized focus. Glad the City will move ahead with other relevant projects!
By the time this CRA sunsets after spending $84,000,000 tax total in the area that has approx. 12% of the city’s population and land, maybe the 88% that live outside the CRA will see some goodies like pedestrian overpasses on 17/92 for $16 million and $28 million for Fairbanks beautification between 17/92 and Pennsylvania. Isn’t it strange that almost 90% of the new and expanded (2027) CRA’s tax revenue is projected to be spent inside the current CRA? “Monopoly money” comes to mind… 🙂
Inventing projects to spend tax dollars is foolish. How about a tax cut, Commissioners?
The current commission does not face a revenue problem. It has a spending problem. Now, Commissioner Sullivan even wants to raise property taxes. (News flash: they have already been raising taxes steadily and have done so each and every year the revenue neutral rate was not adopted.) The CRA extension and expansion was a travesty. The monetary favoritism showered on this small (but growing area) over the rest of the city at the expense of all cannot be justified. A faction of former city leaders tried hard to beat the CRA expansion/extension back at the county level, but were not successful. Unfortunately, the county is just as profligate.