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Moore non-committal on running for Apopka Mayor in 2026

A conversation with District 2 Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore

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For the last 16 years, Christine Moore has been a driving force in Orange County politics, both in policy and on the campaign trail. 

Moore is the first female commissioner to serve in the District 2 seat in Orange County Government. She was elected to the Orange County Commission in November 2018, representing Apopka, Ocoee, Lockhart, Tangerine, Zellwood, Eatonville, and portions of Pine Hills, College Park, and Orlando in District 2. She was elected the 2021 Vice-Mayor for Orange County Government and voted unanimously to the position by fellow commissioners in December 2020. Before that, she served on the Orange County School Board from 2008-2018.

Halfway through her final term on the commission, Moore reflected on her time in public office and looked ahead to her next chapter. She sat down with The Apopka Voice and shared her thoughts on a range of subjects, including the future of local government, her plans once her term concludes, spending more time with her family, continuing her advocacy in new ways, and possibly running for Apopka Mayor in 2026.

Editor's Note: This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

Apopka City Hall
Apopka City Hall

  • What is the biggest issue facing Apopka?  What should the Apopka City Council do to fix it? How can you, as a county commissioner, help?

Apopka is facing major traffic concerns from building suburban sprawl neighborhoods and dense urbanization in the Kelly Park Interchange area. In my role as an Orange County Commissioner and as a CFX board member, the agency is completing three lanes on SR 429 and a bridge through the Lockhart area to create a seamless route from SR 429 to I-4. I also secured funding for MetroPLAN involvement in intersection improvements at Rock Springs Road and Welch Road. I was recently elected the vice-chair of MetroPLAN.

Apopka’s downtown is blighted. The city hasn’t been strict enough, in my estimation, with applying state requirements for preserving passive areas in new developments in the Wekiva Basin. In contrast, the county has been purchasing large tracts of land for preservation, water recharge, and environmental recreational uses. We also preserve 35 percent of contiguous passive areas in every project, and one developer out near Zellwood Station was required to preserve 70 percent of the property. 

Downtown Apopka.
Downtown Apopka.
Photo from Main Street Apopka

  • What can you do as a county commissioner, and what can the Apopka City Council do to enhance Apopka's downtown?

The county funds the Community Redevelopment Area to restore the city’s blighted downtown. However, the county was forced to demand more stringent annual reports from the city due to a lack of progress. Since that time, I’ve been pleased to see new wayfinding signage erected and constructed on the Downtown Area Trail near Alonzo Williams Park. I am also leading citizen groups to clean up corridors in the downtown, such as Apopka Blvd., Sheeler Rd., and next year, Clarcona Rd. from Keene Rd. to 13th Street. Finally, I organized an educational trip to the nationally recognized Deland Main Street Program to return best practices to Apopka.

Apopka City Center
Apopka City Center

  •  How can Taurus Southern Investments (Developers of the Apopka City Center) be moved forward in developing the Apopka City Center?

I believe as the CRA-funded 6th Street Trail project is completed and more grants have been given to restore properties around the City Center, Taurus will be more successful in attracting the kind of development Apopkans are desiring. We should not just focus on the city center – we need to work on the entire downtown. We need more missing middle housing, such as quality duplexes and triplexes. Sidewalks are desperate for repair, and gaps and failing infrastructure prevent attracting better quality development.

Sadness of boy in the city
Sadness of boy in the city
nkbimages

  • What can be done to combat homelessness in Apopka?

Homelessness is a difficult problem. I personally assisted two individuals in securing housing, and it was one of the most challenging things I have ever undertaken. The county funds $65 million for homelessness prevention and services annually. The City of Apopka needs to become more familiar with and promote these programs fully. S.A.L.T., a mobile homeless service with showers and case management, will be setting up shop in Apopka near Patmos Chapel off Bradshaw Rd. this spring, thanks to increased funding made available by Orange County Government. Nothing is more important than getting someone housed and linked to wrap-around services. 

Clarcona Ocoee Road won the 2023 Corridor of the Year Award in District 2.
Clarcona Ocoee Road won the 2023 Corridor of the Year Award in District 2.
Photo from Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore's Facebook page.

  • Why are corridors and districts important to a city/community?

My Corridor of the Year Contest has provided the basis for developing neighborhood-level leadership to tackle many pressing issues. These wonderful leaders report infrastructure needs and missed garbage collection, host social and informational gatherings, and revitalize entire streets through their dedicated clean-up days. 

South Apopka
South Apopka

  • What can you do to help South Apopka? What have you done? Should annexation go to a special election or appear on a ballot?

I have been helping South Apopka by upgrading all their lighting, the trail, sidewalks, and street or safety infrastructure. The county has donated land to Habitat for Humanity and Homes in Partnership with new housing starts. Our clean-ups have inspired additional private sector investment in building new housing. South Apopka even has an Assisted Living Facility being constructed on Clarcona Rd. During my tenure, the county invested $1 million in the John Bridges Center, including two new playgrounds. Just this holiday season, I was grateful to be able to donate turkeys and food boxes to hundreds of residents. 

  • Are you happy with the Apopka CRA? What can the City Council do to make it more effective?

I’m disappointed in the progress of the CRA over the past seven years. I believe it was due to insufficient staffing. I’m pleased the CRA Board is seeking professional help to create an updated plan, complete the Downtown Area Trail near Alonzo Williams Park, and install beautiful wayfinding signage. However, The City of Apopka’s CRA is the lowest-performing CRA in the county. I look forward to the year the proceeds exceed several million dollars. I do not believe this will happen until the city actively manages programs to improve facades throughout the entire downtown core and recruits more high-paying jobs.

 Are you considering a run for Apopka Mayor in 2026? If so, why do you want to be mayor?

I am asked weekly by residents to run for Apopka Mayor, but I have not fully determined if this is the right move for my family. I truly enjoy my four grandchildren, and public service can be a sacrifice for them.

  •  Are there any subjects I didn't ask about that you would like to comment on?

Yes. I’m disappointed the city is not seeking sufficient public or commissioner input on the quality 2040 Comprehensive Plan. I also believe the community development department needs to stop allowing developers to run community meetings and inform additional residents of impending new development. We hear their angst on social media, yet few ever know to show up for a public hearing. I am troubled by the lack of progress on solving the Border Lake flooding issue, which severely impacted Lake Cortez homeowners, the Lumen building, the Hobby Lobby shopping center, and Wekiva Village Townhomes.

I am excited about the design progress for the Welch Road and Rock Springs Trail gaps along the prestigious West Orange Trail. Additionally, I will be hosting a grand reopening of the county’s West Orange Trail Bridge in February.

Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore, Orange County, Apopka City Council, Is Christine Moore running for Mayor of Apopka in 2026?

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  • Newcomer

    Commissioner Moore is a powerhouse and a tremendous blessing to our community. I would LOVE it if she was our mayor. Things would get done and Apopka would be a more beautiful, welcoming community.

    Wednesday, December 18, 2024 Report this