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

Dubsdread Neighborhood Renovation
For almost a year, the city of Orlando has been tackling concerns surrounding the stormwater treatment and renovation project of the historic Dubsdread Golf Course. This project presents the City with a rare opportunity, a chance to restore our municipally-owned golf course. It is unfortunate that that the City had to replace the initial vendor, causing a delay and further aggravating the other surrounding issues. For the frustration this has caused you—I can only say I’m sorry.

Now, one issue prevents the course design from moving forward—the configuration of Dubsdread Circle south of Niblick Avenue in the Northeast Dubsdread neighborhood. I have been educated by our staff on the impacts that the various road configuration options, which were presented as viable alternatives, would have on surrounding neighborhoods and the course itself. The City has also received specific input from the Neighborhood Design Review Committee, a group of residents who were elected from golf course-adjacent neighborhoods to participate in the design-development process, as well as the golf course designer and the current golf course management company. In addition, scores of Dubsdread residents have taken their valuable time to contact me and share their opinions, for which I am grateful.

After carefully weighing all of the surrounding issues, I believe it is in the best interest of the more than 750 households of the Dubsdread area to permanently close Dubsdread Circle south of Niblick Avenue. I have recommended to Mayor Dyer that staff proceed with the design of the course in a “road closed” configuration and to move forward in an expedited manner with the completion of this project, so that you, the residents, can move past this difficult time and get back to your normal lives and neighborly ways.
After much consideration, the Mayor has agreed to my recommendation and has informed the Public Works Director of this decision. Staff anticipates starting construction of the course in March 2007 and completing the renovation in November of the same year. During that time, the course will be closed. Upon completion, the renovated course will provide a higher quality playing experience that will improve the course’s reputation thereby enhancing the value of the surrounding property.
Please know that I further recommended that the City look at adding sidewalks throughout the neighborhood and evaluating regularly the neighborhood traffic patterns and counts.

I am excited about these changes in historic Dubsdread. This is a wonderful asset to our Great City, one that, with these renovations, will allow the entire community of Dubsdread to continue to be the city treasure it is today. While I know this may be difficult news for some, I assure you that I did not take this decision lightly and can only trust that this letter at least brings closure to the situation. I look forward to opening day where I hope many of you will join me to celebrate the completion of this transformation that will certainly benefit our community as a whole.

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)