ORLANDO, Fla. — Officials in Orange County, Fla., have approved creation of a new special taxation district to help fund development of the “Sunshine Corridor” rail connection to allow Brightline and commuter rail service SunRail reach the Orange County Convention Center and nearby attractions.
WKMG-TV reports county commissioners unanimously approved creation of the Shingle Creek Transit and Utility Community Development District, which will address financing and construction of public infrastructure for a 719-acre area, and levy taxes from property owners in that district. The district includes just two landowners — University City Development Partners, affiliated with Universal theme parks, and Hilton hotels. Universal, which proposed the district, plans to build the “Epic Universe” theme park on the site [see “County commissioners to vote on plan …,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 5, 2023].
Property assessments and the sale of tax-exempt bonds would be used to fund $174 in infrastructure, including $125 million for the Sunshine Corridor project. That includes land and other support for a station. The coalition supporting the rail project says it would provide a new transit option for almost 100,000 workers in the International Drive area, including those working at the Epic Universe project, projected to open in 2025.
It is important to note this district has been created by Orange County Florida, the governor and the state.
This is a big and positive step forward in development and growth in rail transportation for Florida. For too many years now, Florida is one of those states that have promoted and favored highways and their construction and expansion as well as promoting use of the private automobile and this especially true in new resdential and business areas where the private automobile is the only means to get around. Miami has been a sucess story with Tri Rail and other public transit growth and expansion. Now Central Florida needs to promote +, build and expand rail and bus transit. In order for Sun Rail to be truly sucessful and grow, it also has to have daily service 7 days a week and not just on weekdays or during rush hour plus expanding their small fleet of locomotives and coaches. When Orlando has special events like concerts , sporting events like basketball and soccer matches and other special events, Sun Rail is a bit hit with the traveling public and the folks going to these events and most of these events are on weekends. A few weeks ago when there two major events taking place at the same time in Orlando a soccer match and a concert and on a Sunday, SunRail ran trains to accomodate the vast crowds atteding these events. The rides were free which no doubt attracted the folks attending to use the trtain. However this proves a point that when you have and provide reliable and timely public transit especially rail people will come and use the train. It certainly beats the hassle of driving and trying to find parking and much cheaper that what is spent on gas and parking fees. The Amway center where the Orlando Magic play and is also host to concerts and other events is directly across the street from the SunRail tracks and the Church Street station is right there. On certain game nights Sun Rail provides free service to and from the games. When Sun Rail finally gets their connection to OIA completed and up and running service will take off and really grow but daily 7 days a week service needs to be implemented and also late night and mid day service needs to be increased. As it has been quoted in a famous baseball movie ” If you build it, they will come” So it also holds true for the Sunshine Rail corridor project and Sun Rail. Let’s get the good folks of Florida into “training” and out of their cars and decrease the dependence on highways and car traffic and stop further highway expansion and construction and it will also help clean up the environment and the air we all breathe
Joseph C. Markfelder
Now if they can get Tampa and Jacksonville to drink from the same cup, I agree, Florida will definitely have something.
In the long run the Sunshine corridor will be a winner. But that is going to take at least 3 – 5 years to complete. In the mean time why not get airport service with a connection at Sand Lake to the airport. That is all RR ROW where another track(s) can be completed fairly fast. That is along the CSX power plant ROW and present Sun Rail track. Then new track next to Brightline to the airport. Note: Sand Lake station already has 2 platforms with extra tracks to enable a layover location for airport service.
As understood weekend service will not start until the airport connection is in operation. Why wait for the Sunshine connection when Sand Lake can be completed quicker? A check of present Sun Rail schedules shows a connection for airport passengers will work for both to and from airport. As well both directions on the present Sun Rail operation. Then in meantime do all the work for the Sunshine connection.
Forza Florida in the name of rail!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
When complete, the Sunshine Corridor would be owned by SunRail, with Brightline also leasing the corridor for its inter-city trains as part of its extension to Tampa. Brightline will build their own line from the west end of the corridor to Tampa.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
While Disney walks, Universal talks.
Disney is going no where, though the “governor” will be walking away from the mess he created here saying “who me?”
What I was referring to is Disney walked away from a deal with Brightline and Orange County. Universal had no problems providing the land, the money and the supporting tax base for the bonds. Disney told everyone unless they controlled the “experience” they weren’t interested, so Brightline will build a station in Kissimmee instead.
Has nothing to do with the political realm.
Mr Reiter,
Disney recently announced they’re investing $60 billion in the parks + cruise lines. Disney will be spending billions, likely 10s of billion in Florida in the next decade. There is no mess.