Sept 2006 , Volume 17 Number 9
Community Paper
copyright ©2005-2006 by Community Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.


From the Desk of City Commissioner Robert Stuart

Over the next few weeks, our Solid Waste Management Department will be implementing a new garbage pickup strategy that will provide better service and save us thousands of dollars. The new automated system will require that each household use the new garbage canisters that will be delivered to your home. District 3 has hosted two information meetings, for College Park/Spring Lake and Rosemont, to talk about this new process and answer the many questions that were raised. Between August 22 and September 1, all of northwest Orlando will begin receiving the new trashcans. If you don’t get one, or if you have any questions, please call Mike Carroll at 407-246-3050, or check out the City’s website for more information.

By the time this article is published, the City of Orlando will have made a significant decision on the future of the Dubsdread Golf Course. Let me assure everyone involved that this decision was not taken lightly. And while each side of this delicate issue has expressed their opinion, it became evident that no single direction would satisfy everyone. A decision to permanently close Dubsdread Circle (between Niblick and Par) was determined to maximize recreation opportunities for this city amenity, limit cut-through traffic, provide an answer to risk management’s safety concerns, and most importantly to ensure that the entire historic neighborhood continues to be the city treasure it is today. We expect to begin renovations on Dubsdread Golf Course in March 2007 with completion before Thanksgiving, eight months later. I’m excited about this investment into Dubsdread and look forward to promoting this unique recreational activity to all of Orlando and our entire region.

During the past few months, our Parks & Recreation Department has been working on a revised plan for the Princeton Playground. This new playground will include some state-of-the-art as well as traditional playground equipment along with better drainage, and will be nestled between a beautiful canopy of oaks and pines. I’m pleased with the plans, which will be presented at the College Park Neighborhood Association’s September 11th meeting. In addition, College Park Little League has received a grant through Orange County’s Field of Dreams to renovate the practice baseball field at Matthews Park. It will remain as a practice field, but these upgrades will help us work toward a completed plan for this important community park. Please plan on attending the CPNA for more details.
A few weeks ago, developer Jim Kersey brought his new project to the City’s Municipal Planning Board, currently titled "Princeton/Smith Block Development." This project, similar to Real Estate Collaborative’s Wellesley, will be built on east side of Edgewater Drive between the streets of Princeton and Smith. This block, currently zoned for a combination of commercial and residential units, will also provide an alternative access to Princeton and Smith streets through a newly-created College Lane. Let me express my personal thanks to Jim and his team of professionals for providing information to our entire community. Besides a special meeting of the College Park Neighborhood Association, Jim provided a detailed presentation to the Downtown College Park Partnership (formerly College Park Merchant’s Association) and the College Park Rotary Club. The City’s Municipal Planning Board unanimously approved this project on July 18, 2006 and it is apparent that the community has a good understanding of the plan, as there was no opposition present.

On August 9th, Mayor Buddy Dyer outlined the issues surrounding the City’s initiative to build/renovate three significant community venues in Downtown Orlando—the Orlando Arena, the Citrus Bowl, and a new performing arts center. During the meeting, Mayor Dyer answered questions about the process itself and where we are today within that process, highlighting the fact that there are many decisions yet to be made. I appreciate his candor and willingness to provide this forum and, as I mentioned at the meeting, encourage everyone to express their thoughts and ideas to the City. This is an important decision for the future of Orlando, one that will set the tone for the type of city that we will become. For more information, please log onto www.CityofOrlando.net or look for more meetings during the next few months.

In closing, let me express my thanks to everyone involved with Neighborhood Watch’s National Night Out on August 1, 2006. There were 14 neighborhood parties throughout District 3 and hundreds showed up and greeted their neighbors, many for the first time! In addition, Peg and Marty Cone in Windsong Estates won First Place in the City’s National Night Out Theme Contest and were awarded $250 for their neighborhood gathering. With the current crime wave washing over Orlando and Central Florida, it is more important than ever to give your home a "security check-up" and keep your eyes and ears open for suspicious behavior in your neighborhood. For a checkup, or if you just want to have an Orlando Police Officer stop by your home, please contact my office at 407-246-2003.

Robert F. Stuart, District 3 City Commissioner
Phone: 407-246-2003; e-mail Robert.Stuart@cityoforlando.net
or check out Orlando’s website (www.cityoforlando.net)