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
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.
I agree with you Sally!! Now IS the time to act!
Couldn’t agree more. All you see are tax exempt or tax advantaged entities expanding everywhere. When the WP residents require a tax increase to pay for services to cover lost tax revenue due to non-tax paying entities there will be no extra funds to preserve or expand green spaces. With increasing density those green spaces will look even more attractive to developers. Just maintaining that green space will be a challenge.
I totally agree. More green space and less development. I see the library space going to developers as well.
“ Buy land, they aren’t making it anymore.” – Mark Twain.”
Buy the Post Office. This possible opportunity cannot be duplicated.
Protect beautiful Winter Park and expand Central Park for future generations to enjoy.
Writer and Historian Wallace Stegner said, “National Parks – the best idea we ever had, absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst.” For nearly 100 years, this BEST IDEA has been nurtured by the National Park Service.
Hopeful the City Of Winter Park and our Leaders will mirror this “Best Idea” and expand our famous Park Ave, Central Park.
Three thumbs up👍👍👍. Past mayors had their chance to make this happen and make it part of their legacy. The candle is burning down and the chance to expand Central Park for this and future generations is growing dim. During Mayor Brewer’s term he led a successful campaign for a bond issue to purchase the majority of the golf course. Open space/park land will never go out of fashion, especially in Florida where the population continues to increase. Pursue the purchase and make it happen!
What an opportunity for ALL of WP to come together and design a park that will become truly the heart of Winter Park!!
It’s long past due. And the longer we wait the more the cost goes up!!
Amen!
I agree, Sally! The time is now. The City should buy the Post Office and add to the our green space. It’s what makes our town special!
I read the letter in the Sentinel too and was surprised that our previous mayor signed it considering he pushed to put us in the hole for millions of dollars for a library and events center that is way over budget. I have lived here long enough to know that acquiring the post office property has gone on way too long. The price of the post office parcel is not going to decrease over time. And some of you might remember the wrangling that went on when a building of condominiums was supposed to go up an that property. There is a saying, “get ‘er done!” So do it.
Great article Sally, thank you. The time to buy the post office is now.
We should not let it slip away again.
This property is zoned PQP! Very doubtful a non-PQP use would ever be permitted. Furthermore it is doubtful that the city could acquire and construct a USPS facility acceptable to the requirements of the post office!
3 votes are all it would take to rezone the property from PQP. Not only that but PQP includes a wide array of uses that we would not want to see on that site. 3 votes was all it took to allow the Carlisle. Zoning is not a significant layer of protection. Developers won’t hesitate, neither should we. Time’s a wastin’. Buy this property and expand our beloved Central Park.
“Doubtful” could become Dismayed!
With all due respect, “very doubtful” zoning changes could become dumbfounding zoning changes!
Who would have ever thought that four, residential, single family Winter Park homes, on Lake Killarney, would TWICE be brought before the city commission with developers asking the commission to rezone those residential homesites to Commercial -3 zoning?
Until the post office property is owned and controlled by the City of Winter Park, the risk remains.
The current mayor and commissioners have a broad range of skills and professional experience to continue these efforts and hopefully accomplish this legacy goal.
Cheering them on!!!!
If the Post Office property goes to developers, It will benefit a few. If it goes toward increasing our village downtown green space, it will benefit many. It seems that city leaders have a strong imperative to choose a path that benefits most of its citizens. Please pursue the acquisition of the PO property. The time to do that is now.
I agree, Sally! With the constant barrage of developers wanting to build high density buildings, it is imperative that we preserve or obtain as much green space as possible to maintain the character in the desirability of Winter Park.
If my taxes go up as a result of buying the Post Office property—–I’m totally behind it, move forward!
Folks of a certain age have choices, invest such that future generations have a better life, when we’re pushing up daisies, or hold them gold coins close to the vest. Help the babies thrive, add to the green space.
Excellent, Sally! This is a milestone opportunity. Future generations will applaud the wisdom of expanding and enhancing our beautiful park.
Priceless!
Sally is correct. Expanding an existing park in a built up urban area is difficult if not impossible. This is a once in a once lifetime opportunity. Our children and grandchildren will be thankful we it. BUY THE POST OFFICE PROPERTY. NOW!
Joe Terranova
Former Mayor 1997-2000
Great Sally! Appreciate all you’ve done to keep up on this! It’s an important time to keep citizens of Winter Park informed.
Raise my taxes. That’s fine, but buy the post office before we get more condos.
Perhaps build a better stage area than the one we have currently.
One with various levels so when you bring your folding chairs you can actually see over the people in front of you.
Covered would be even better.
Something like a St Augustine amphitheater but on a much smaller scale.
Residents could enjoy all the great festivities we have now ….without being sunburned or rained upon.
This is truly a no brainer! Sally is right. We must take this opportunity to make this happen now, at any cost. It won’t get any less expensive and could be lost forever. From the Gentille Packing House to the USPS to a beautiful park. NOW is the time.
Thank you Sally – for keeping your eye on the prize and speaking for the conscience of the majority! Thank you also for the historical progression on this movement and the nod of gratitude for the philanthropy and vision of Charles Hosmer Morse. Carpe Diem!!
Those willing to spend 3 to 6 times what the property is worth in taxpayer funds are seeking a personal legacy at the expense of those they represent.
Further, the USPS requirements will move the retail post office out of the downtown area.
There seems to be a simple majority on the commission to pursue this and the USPS is a reluctant seller.
If the commission wants to proceed they should do so with the approval of the voters.
Gosh, Pete. I wonder where Commissioners learned the part about leaving a legacy at the expense of those they represent.
What do you think that idiotic building in MLK Park is that YOU voted for when YOU were a City Commissioner? A library?
C’mon.
We weren’t born yesterday, Pete.
We know what it is.
Seems like the folks that want green space are only trying to make sure that folks like you don’t leave “a legacy” (or whatever the euphemism of the day is for that “thing” in MLK Park that you approved) on the post office property.
Aren’t we taxpayers already paying for over priced personal legacies at the new library?
Speaking of libraries, we should be “reluctant sellers” of our old library….or at least charge Rollins/Alfond “3 to 6 times what the property is worth”.
Public denials notwithstanding there can be no doubt that Rollins has a voracious appetite for Winter Park land, especially land in the city core. They DO want this “missing piece”.
But land is a funny thing. There is a FINITE supply. The city must keep this land. We just might need it especially when we decide to sell the useless Welcome center which currently serves as home to the anathema known as the WP Chamber of Commerce.
Sally and all the responders here get my thumbs up. So does Mark Twain….land in Winter Park….they aren’t making it anymore. Parkites expressed John Scofields remarks when they voted to buy the golf course.
Sally, we are all grateful for your thorough and hauntingly accurate diagnosis of that “Post Office Property” problem…. We live in a time of change in which “divide and conquer” is again a favorite tactic of hypocritical has beens to achieve ???
This is a no-brainer – the City of Winter Park should make every effort to buy this land so that we (Winter Park residents) have it to enjoy. I personally think it important to continue to honor Charles Morse’s legacy, much like continuing to honor R1 zoning integrity and the Comprehensive Land Use Plan…as adopted and paid for.
Sally if “ most “ Winter Parkers want to see Progress Point be a Park, then I’m not sure how all those former Mayors got elected.
Reply to $ for Mead Gardens: .My Open Letter was in reference to the letter the six mayors wrote to the Sentinel about not spending too much to buy the P.O. property. Nothing to do with Mead Gardens
You kind of missed the point Sally.
Really — I don’t think so. Perhaps you missed her point?
❤️ 🌳 The Full Park Design at Progress Point! 🌳. Let the neighboring landowners and the overlay profit from activating the park. Hope the city works out the purchase of the USPS land and finds a way to keep a USPS retail location with P.O. Boxes downtown WP.