By District 2 Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore
Christmas and New Year’s vacations are good on several fronts. One, I get to see more of my family. Secondly, I get some rest and prepare for the year; thirdly, I read a good book. While I regularly recommend Bill Kercher’s books on Character Neighborhoods, Towns, and Main Streets, he recommended another called Regenerating Older Suburbs, printed by the Urban Land Institute.
In the foreword, the authors set out the questions to answer: “What constitutes a successful regeneration? What will motivate private-sector developers to invest in older areas? Why are some suburbs more successful than others in attracting significant redevelopment activity? What are the appropriate roles for the for-profit, non-profit, and public sectors to play, as well as the grass-roots stakeholders?
Orange County Commissioner District 2 Christine Moore
In our commissioner area, District 2, we have many older suburbs which need revitalization. I have had a measure of success with adding sidewalks, developing a neighborhood leader, and a bit of code enforcement. I have also had failures with balloting for new streetlights. It is hard for me to understand why someone would not want to pay $40 a year for a safer community, but alas, I have been unsuccessful in two underserved neighborhoods. The book also mentions the value of corridor improvements. Clearly, if we want private sector investment, the gateways and corridors must demonstrate that the municipality, residents, and business owners are engaged and interested in improvement.
I highly recommend once FDOT, the county, or cities improve infrastructure, that leaders set out to inspire the residents and business owners to improve their areas. Improvements can be relatively easy and inexpensive. For example, it’s not hard to pick up trash and park cars neatly. For a bit more investment, painting facades and upgrading landscaping provide the touch that tells the community you care. FDOT is in the process of improving US 441 through the west side of Apopka and soon through the Zellwood area. These are golden opportunities to improve the corridors.
I’m in the process of strengthening the North Pine Hills, Lockhart, and Wekiwa Springs area leader’s groups to manage these types of activities. We have active boards of directors and members who follow my lead in corridor improvements, wall maintenance, pressure washing, trash pick-up, etc. We are also branching out to include high school students to paint fences and homes of our elderly. All I need to assist the west side of Apopka and Zellwood is a new group of leaders to step up. Please call my office if you wish to help lead these new groups at 407.836.5850. Our first quarterly leader’s meeting is Thursday, January 19th, at Wekiva High School.
What the book did is help me broaden my thinking to seek more private sector investment. We must be more deliberate and purposeful about seeking larger dollar amounts for the major improvements we would like to see. I also believe we cannot allow rampant, out-of-control sprawl if we want to see infill and improvements in existing areas. I’m proud of the new, smaller developments, homes, and small businesses I have been a part of, coming to South Apopka, Lockhart, North Pine Hills, and Wekiwa Springs. I believe it goes back to looking neat and clean. No investor wants to waste millions in an area he or she believes will not bring a return on the investment.
