May 2008
Community Paper
copyright ©2008 by Community Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.


From the Desk of City Commissioner Robert Stuart

Dear College Park Neighbor,

May has arrived and the great weather gives us all more opportunities to spend with friends and families, especially our Moms (don't forget, Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11!), enjoying all of the great amenities Orlando has to offer.

One of the newest amenities in the City of Orlando and District 3 is the Orlando Cultural Park, located in the Loch Haven area, at 530 East Princeton Street. The long term plans for this green space include a sculpture garden, so on Saturday, May 10, the City of Orlando will officially dedicate this park with the unveiling of the first sculpture.

Along with the dedication, I am hosting the inaugural District 3 picnic from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to say thank you to all District 3 constituents for their service to our community. Bring your family and friends for an afternoon of food, games, entertainment and FUN!

Also in May, the Edgewater Drive Vision Task Force will be covering the topic, "Architectural Details." Please consider attending one of their two meetings to hear the presentations and discussion surrounding this subject as it relates to the Edgewater Drive corridor. The first meeting of the month will be held on Thursday, May 8 at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall and the second will be held at Edgewater High School in the Media Center on Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m. Many of you have asked me for the latest information surrounding the progress of the task force. You can monitor it through our City of Orlando Planning Department website at www.cityoforlando.net/planning .

And more positive news about our neighborhood commercial districts in District 3 is that the Downtown College Park Partnership and the newly-organized Ivanhoe Village (formerly Antique Row) have been chosen as two of three districts to be part of the inaugural class of Orlando's Main Street Program. Main Street is a proven nation-wide program that utilizes a partnership between a City and a community to assist in revitalizing traditional business districts throughout the United States. We are thrilled to begin the Main Street program in the City and here in District 3.

The Main Street approach is rooted in community input both from the business and residential sectors. It advocates local empowerment, and the re-building of traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets. I am glad that the Downtown College Park Partnership and Ivanhoe Village showed the insight and commitment to become Orlando Main Street Districts. I know that the progress of the Main Street/ Downtown College Park also will complement the work that the Task Force is doing for the Edgewater Drive area. The newly energized Ivanhoe Village has already begun planning several key community events to re-introduce this jewel to each of us. Congratulations to these two vital parts of our traditional city!

As always, thank you for what you do, large and small, to make College Park and our City a great place to live. I hope to see you on May 10!

Robert
Robert F. Stuart, District 3 City Commissioner
400 S. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407-246-2003; e-mail Robert.Stuart@cityoforlando.net
or check out Orlando's website (www.cityoforlando.net)