East Orlando’s Innovation Way (Alafaya Trail) Update

I recently wrote to Commissioner Linda Stewart for an update on the progress of Innovation Way. In a nutshell, I was informed that:

• the widening of Alafaya Trail will begin during 2009
• Innovation Way will stop short 800ft north of the Beachline and will be complete December 2008
• Innovation Way/Beachline Interchange is projected to begin 2009 and be complete in 2011
• Innovation Way from the Beachline to the 417 is projected to be complete some time between 2012 and 2017

Here is the reply I received from her aide, Sandra Patricia Camacho:

Mayor Crotty’s 2005 State of the County Address, “Blueprint for Orange County’s Future”, outlined a vision for a high technology corridor in east Orange County extending from the University of Central Florida to the Orlando International Airport. Innovation Way, an integral part of this high tech corridor, entails in part a series of roadway improvement projects extending from Mark Twain Boulevard (to the north) to State Road 417 (to the south, adjacent to Lake Nona and the planned Burnham Institute). A unique and innovative approach, consisting of public/private partnership agreements between the county and several private development owners primarily along existing and planned extensions of Alafaya Trail (Innovation Way), will ensure the funding and acceleration of these road improvements. Due to great interest in the roadway projects, our staff is providing this official update. Mr. Jim Harrison, Growth Management Director, will be sending periodic updates after the first of the year.
The first of these projects is the widening of Alafaya Trail from the existing two lanes to a four lane configuration between Mark Twain Boulevard and Avalon Park Boulevard, a length of 3.74 miles. Along with the county, private developers (Avalon Associates, Stoneybrook Marketplace and Morgran) have all participated in the costs of improvement. The majority of the widening will take place within the existing right of way, minimizing impacts to existing development along the corridor, although new retention ponds will be needed to accommodate water runoff. Design of this widening is nearly complete, and construction is anticipated to start in 2009. The project should be complete within two years. The schedule of improvements has remained relatively unchanged since a December 2005 feasibility study funded by private development.
A new extension of Alafaya Trail, called Innovation Way, will extend from the intersection of Avalon Park Boulevard/Alafaya Trail to approximately 800 feet north of the Beach Line (SR 528). This project consists of a new four lane roadway, 4.8 miles in length. The public/private partnership formed for this project includes Orange County, International Corporate Park and the Orlando Utilities Commission. Importantly, the design and right of way needed for this project was provided to the county at significant savings to the taxpayers – again owing to the public/private partnership which avoided condemnation and other associated high costs. This project is currently under construction and is, in fact, well ahead of schedule. It is anticipated to be complete by December 2008.
Next, the Innovation Way/Beach Line Interchange is a critical linchpin for the implementation of the road improvement program in east Orange County. The ultimate improvement planned for this location entails a major new interchange connecting the Innovation Way extension to the Beach Line and to a future road south of the Beach Line which will connect with SR 417 near the proposed Burnham Institute. Orange County, International Corporate Park (ICP) and the Orlando Orange County Expressway Authority (OOCEA) entered into an agreement in March 2006 to provide for the construction of this important interchange. Under this agreement, the three entities will pay for their fair share of the construction costs (total cost is approximately $25 million), and have certain other responsibilities. ICP, in addition to sharing construction costs, is to provide the design plans and necessary right of way, at no cost to Orange County taxpayers.
The design plan submittals for this interchange have been delayed and are approximately one year behind the originally anticipated schedule, affecting the right of way conveyance and the construction schedule –since neither can commence until final design plans are completed. However, the County is working with ICP and OOCEA to implement an acceleration plan that will get this important project back on track and completed as quickly as possible. The final schedule will be further refined as design is completed and final right of way needs and permitting issues are identified, but at this time the parties expect that construction will begin in early 2009 and completed in approximately two years. Although there has been some delay in this critical project, all parties remain committed to proceed and adhere to the terms of the agreement approved by the Board of County Commissioners in March 2006 – and construct this interchange.
The final leg of the Innovation Way Corridor consists of distinct roadway segments extending from the Beach Line to SR 417. The county is currently in negotiations with the pertinent property owners to finalize plans for this critical connection. The first two miles of this corridor (from SR 417 to the east) have been defined within the Innovation Place Development of Regional Impact (DRI) and associated pending agreements. Although agreements presently under consideration (as well as future agreements) for this area, contemplate major road projects, transportation improvements within the area south of the Beach Line and west of the SR 417 (Innovation Way Study Area) will also consist of major transit improvements. Therefore, as part of the negotiated agreements with property owners, a transit corridor traversing this area will be preserved for an eventual integrated transportation system consisting of roads, mass transit services, trails, bike paths and other multimodal infrastructure. The final schedule for the new roadway south of the Beach Line is presently being developed – with the goal of completing this connection within the next 5 to 10 years.Sincerely,

Commissioner Linda Stewart’s OfficeSandra Patricia Camacho
Aide to Commissioner StewartDistrict 4

Score Drugs Cheaper and Get Your Fix

Today, Wal-Mart has announced phase 2 of their $4 prescription program.For a complete list of the $4 drugs Walmart now offers, click here.

Home Decor Inspiration – HGTV’s Rate My Space

 

 Is your home ready for a new look? Or would you like to get opinions about your new decor? Visit HGTV’s webpage for inspiration. Click here to continue…

Get Rid of Those Horrible Fire Ants!

You, your family, and your pets all know the nasty sting of Fire Ants. However, you might not think of them as being harmful to the environment. These ants are an “exotic” insect not native to the United States, and they arrived without any natural controls to keep them in check. Also, they are an extremely aggressive insect which populates an area very quickly. A new colony, begun by a single queen, could potentially have up to 100,000 stinging workers within a matter of days.Their mounds can be built in almost any type of soil, but they prefer open, sunny areas. Colonies can also be formed in rotting logs, around stumps and trees, and even inside your dwelling. The queen’s full time job is to form new colonies.  New mounds can develop from an old site overnight. This means, while you are trying to find time in your schedule to search through the store and buy those “Hit or Miss” treatment options, your problem marches on. 

Mr. Vega from Certified Termite and Pest Services, Inc. treated my back garden and the ants were gone by the next day. I have ‘treated’ the ants myself using various methods, i.e.- boiling water, vinegar, yeast, etc. The ants always came back a couple of days later. Since Vega has been coming monthly, I have not seen one. Give him a call today at 407-645-2700.

Oviedo is 1st in Florida to add Tornado Sirens

Having been raised in Tornado Alley, I have become dependent upon warning sirens. When I first moved to Orlando, during tornado watches, I would listen out for the sirens. Sirens alarm once a funnel has formed and been reported. It wasn’t until the February 2007 tornado  which killed 21 Floridians, that I realized they are nonexistent!
Well, BRAVO to the city of Oviedo for taking action! Oviedo has taken the initiative and will install 8 warning sirens. Click here to continue reading more…

To read about Tornado Safety Procedure, click here.

Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offers essential protection for homeowners vulnerable to flooding and helps lower federal expenditures for disaster recovery. Floodwaters know no boundaries–virtually every state in the country has experienced significant flooding. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) floods were the number-one natural disaster in the United States, during the 20th century, in terms of the number of lives lost and property damage. The House of Representatives will vote on Thursday, September 27th. Please read the bill H.R. 3121, and write to our Representative- Florida’s District 24- Honorable Tom Feeney    

Call Avalon Home

Enjoy one of the few Caston Style homes built by David Weekly. This home sits on a large corner lot and was designed for you to enjoy both a view of the pond and conservation beyond the back garden. Walking into your new home you are greeted with a vaulted entrance and hardwood floors in the dining room and office. Walk down the large tiled hallway and enter the family room. Here, the vaulted ceilings and the huge picture windows will give you tons of natural sunlight. The chef’s kitchen with center isle is opened to the living room so everyone can be included and no one will be left out. 

   

Contact me to view this beautiful home for yourself!

Al Gore is the Winner!

And he’s not even officially running for President! According to the pollsters at SelectSmart, I should vote for good ole Al. Maybe 2nd time’s a charm. Visit their site and see who most represents your values and beliefs- click here to continue. The Florida Primary is scheduled January 29, 2008.

 

Oviedo Butterfly and Nature Art Show

 

This weekend, September 22nd and 23rd, Lukas Nursery and Garden will be hosting a butterfly encounter and art show. The photo of the butterfly at the top of my page was taken in my backyard a couple of weeks ago. If you find the species at Lukas, take a photo of you and the butterfly together. Email me  both the species’ name and your photo and you will be registered to win $1,000,000. OK, just kidding! This event should make for a great day for all ages. Click to continue for directions from East Orlando.

Super Exemption – Waste of Florida Taxpayers’ Time

Seems to be the biggest scam offered to the people in recent times. Current homeowners will have a choice to keep Save Our Homes or go with Super Homestead Exemption. Homeowners that buy in 2008 or later will be forced into Super Exemption only. This means that future homebuyers will lose the 3% cap we worked so hard to obtain.

Let me use myself as an example to demonstrate the great savings for which the Legislature worked so hard back in June…
Typically, homes appreciate 3-5% per year, and the average Floridian lives in their home for 5-6 years. Based on this info, I plugged those stats into the County Appraisers Tax Estimator Calculator and discovered that I could save a whole $340 in 2008 if I switched to Super Exemption and dumped my 25K homestead exemption/ 3% Save Our Homes cap.
With an appreciation of 3% yearly, during my 6th year of homeownership, I will save an estimated $99. Wow, thanks.
During my 10th year of homeownership, I will pay the government an extra $86. I smell fish.

During 2001-2006, my home appreciated 11% each year, not 3%. I do not forsee this occurring in the near future, but then again, I do not have a crystal ball.
Under Super Exemption at 11% in 2008, I will pay the government an extra $71.
My 6th year will be an extra payment of $3,060.
My 10th year will be an extra payment of $7,383.

You decide January 29th, 2008.