October 2014 - In This Issue:
 

On Sept. 26, Commissioner Boyd joined the wonderful residents in Summerport who worked hard to open the first community garden in Horizon West.
FOCUS ON FAMILIES

Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissioner Boyd was honored to participate and read the Orange County proclamation for "Step Up for Down Syndrome Buddy Walk Day" on Oct. 4. With 1,200 Central Florida families and 15,000 supporters of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida, the day was a magical one for all.

 

Pajama Reading Night

      

On Oct 1, Commissioner Boyd joined with Just 1 Book for its Pajama Reading Night in Winter Garden. The evening was a fantastic opportunity to connect with families in the community and promote literacy.
 
 Orlo Vista Family Day

      

More than 700 parents and children gathered for Orlo Vista Family Day held on Sept. 22 at Orlo Vista Park. Commissioner Boyd was recognized for his many contributions for families in Orange County.
NEIGHBORHOOD GRANTS

Looking for ways to make your neighborhood a better place to live? Orange County's Neighborhood Preservation and Revitalization Division offers a multitude of resources to help with neighborhood improvement efforts. 

 

Orange County's Roadway Median Tree Grant provides an opportunity for homeowners associations, civic groups and businesses to plant trees in public right-of-way roadway medians adjacent to neighborhood or business entrances.

 

In addition, Neighborhood Pride Grants are open to homeowners associations and neighborhood councils in Orange County. Applications are considered October through May.

 

For more information, contact the Neighborhood Preservation and Revitalization Division at (407) 836-5606 or visit www.ocfl.net/neighborhoods.
COMMUNITY MEETINGS

The following meetings are currently scheduled through the end of October and beginning of November:

 

Windermere Prep FLUM Amendment (Windermere) - Meeting will be held Monday, Oct. 13, 2014 at 6 p.m. at Sunset Park Elementary School Cafeteria, 12050 Overstreet Road, Windermere, FL 34786.

 

Vista Centre PD (Dr. Phillips) - Meeting will be held Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014 at 6 p.m. at Sand Lake Elementary School Cafeteria, 8301 Buena Vista Woods Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32836.

 

Jama PD (Dr. Phillips) - Meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014 at 6 p.m. at Sand Lake Elementary School Cafeteria, 8301 Buena Vista Woods Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32836. 

 

Ruby Lake PD (Dr. Phillips) - Meeting will be held Monday, Oct. 27, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. at Sand Lake Elementary School Cafeteria, 8301 Buena Vista Woods Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32836.

 

Town Center FLUM Amendment (Horizon West) - Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014. Time and location to be determined.

 

Reams Road FLUM Amendment (Horizon West) - Monday, Nov. 3, 2014. Time and location to be determined.

 

Courtesy meeting reminders will be sent via email and posted on Facebook as they become available.

STAY CONNECTED
 

 

Like us on Facebook
WHAT'S NEW THIS MONTH!
October 2014

October is undoubtedly one of Orange County's most beautiful months. With festivals, charity walks and music celebrations, it is a time of year we all look forward to ... especially with cooler weather finally here.

 

Enjoy your October issue of the District 1 Newsletter!
HOT TOPICS
I-4 Ultimate

 

The I-4 Ultimate project, which is scheduled to begin in 2015, will reconstruct and widen a 21-mile stretch from Kirkman Road to State Road 434. More than 140 bridges and 15 major interchanges will also be constructed or rebuilt. In addition, new Express Lanes with variable pricing will be added to the center of I-4 - two in each direction.   

 

With the Sand Lake Road transportation study coming up, Orange County's Transportation Planning Division will be looking to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to refine their interchange concepts and encourage the new interchange design to support a more efficient traffic pattern through and around the intersections of Sand Lake Road, Turkey Lake Road and International Drive.  

 

We will keep you posted on how you can be involved in the process! To learn more, visit I-4 Ultimate.
John's Lake Conservation Area
Commissioner Boyd recently took a tour of the John's Lake Conservation Area, a designated Green Place Program location.

 

In 2007, Orange County purchased the Johns Lake Conservation Area through the Green PLACE (Park Land Acquisition for Conservation and Environmental Protection) Program. Johns Lake Conservation Area is located at 880 Avalon Road in Winter Garden. It is adjacent to Johns Lake and connected to Lake Tilden and Black Lake.

 

Future plans for the property include restoring the wet prairie system impacted by past land uses and opening the property for passive public recreational use. Green PLACE is in the beginning stages of planning the passive recreational uses for the parcel, which are scheduled to begin 2015. Recreation will include fishing, canoeing, kayaking and hiking while offering observation opportunities of the many different species of birds and wildlife.
Central Florida Parkway Resurfacing


Our Public Works Division began milling and resurfacing Central Florida Parkway between Turkey Lake Road and the entrance to Discovery Cove on Oct. 12. The work will be performed in two phases: 

  1. Central Florida Parkway, from the entrance to Discovery Cove to the Fire Station exit. 
  2. Central Florida Parkway, from the Fire Station exit to Turkey Lake Road. 

The work will be from Sunday night through Thursday night each week, and the project is expected to be completed before the Thanksgiving holiday, weather permitting. All maintenance of traffic will be coordinated and monitored through the Traffic Engineering Division. 

 

Four message boards are currently in place (one at each end of Central Florida Parkway, one on the north side of Westwood Boulevard, and one on the south side of Westwood Boulevard).
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Ocoee

  

Once a sleepy city founded after the Civil War by confederate soldiers and their families, Ocoee has grown into the third-largest city in Orange County.

 

It was around this nucleus in which the community of Starke Lake began to grow. Though the city would eventually change its name, the lake which brought such good health to the man who originally settled here, Dr. J. D. Starke, still bears his name today - Starke Lake.

 

Home to more than 37,000 people, Ocoee is located at the heart of three major expressways, making it an ideal location for working families and businesses alike. Meanwhile, its history is faithfully preserved for future generations via the Ocoee Christian Church and the Withers-Maguire House and Museum. The city's past culture is observed in the beautiful parks, brick roads and historic buildings.

 

The community celebrates Food Truck Fridays & Movie in the Park on the third Friday of each month. Its 21st Annual Founder's Day Festival will be held Nov. 7 and 8 and features nationally-known country music artists, arts and crafts, displays, carnival rides, food vendors and more.

 

Information courtesy of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce and City of Ocoee. Photo courtesty of City of Ocoee.
Sincerely,

 

S. Scott Boyd
Orange County Commissioner, District 1
201 S. Rosalind Avenue, 5th Floor
Orlando, FL 32801
PH: 407.836.7350
FX: 407.836.5357