Orange County has approved the creation of a community development from Universal Orlando tied to the proposed Sunshine Corridor.
Orange County yesterday approved the creation of a special taxing district from Universal Orlando that will help fund the proposed Sunshine Corridor for passenger trains to connect to International Drive and Orlando International Airport.
County commissioners voted unanimously to allow the creation of the Shingle Creek Transit & Utility Community Development District. We’re rather excited about this news!
Universal Destinations & Experiences applied to the county for the quasi-public district on 719 acres that primarily includes the site of Universal’s Epic Universe as well as 13 acres for a proposed trains station tied to the shared rail corridor for Brightline and SunRail.
“Today marks a step forward and we thank the mayor and county commissioners for approve our petition to established a community development distinct that can help realise the vision for [the] expanded SunRail connectivity from the airport to the convention center,” John Sprouls, Chief Administrative Officer of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said in a statement. “With just a single stop and a new convention center station, we can get 125,000-plus residents to their jobs and millions of visitors to our area’s world-class attractions.”
Why does the Shingle Creek Transit & Utility Community Development District matter so much for SunRail and Brightline?
It’s fair to suggest that it will provide a critical piece of funding for the construction of the Sunshine Corridor. The proposed corridor is highly anticipated by both business group and residents as a new connection to Orlando International Airport and International Drive, which will include the Orange Counter Convention Center.
The district would use “bond proceeds” to fund the $174 million dollars of public infrastructure, including $129 million for the planning and design of the Sunshine Corridor as well as for the proposed station along Destination Parkway. The funds will also cover $40 million for odor control improvements at the county’s South Water Reclamation Facility and $8 million for improvements to the future Epic Boulevard.
County leaders must vote to authorise the start of these projects in the near future. Universal and Orlando’s Right Rail have said they would work to draw over 1.3 million rides per year to support the operations of the corridor.
Talking to Orlando Business Journal, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said the district provides a way to help me some of the county’s priorities, including the creation of a new way for employees to get to work. “There’s no question we’re in dire need of additional modes of transit to move around,” Demings said.
Demings added, “By and through the creation of the CDD, it allows us to better address the transportation needs in the International Drive corridor.” Golly! It surely needs it.
Community development districts are independent, special-purpose areas meant to create and fund infrastructure in a specific community. Another local example of one is the Urban Orlando Community Development District made up of the Baldwin Park community in Orlando.
It’s worth pointing out that taxes and fees that the districted are assed on landowners in the district. In this case, Universal would be the only property owner in the proposed district besides the owners of the Hilton Orlando. The “initial” members of the district’s board of supervisors all work for Universal.
Stay tuned to Orlando Theme Park Zone for more Orlando theme park-related news and information.
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