Plans need to continue forward

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Plans need to continue forward

Opinions

Thursday, 11 February 2010 01:14

It sounds like Kissimmee commissioners made progress at their annual retreat and we concur that long range plans for advancing Vine Street as a viable business corridor and completing Lakefront Park improvements should not be delayed due to the recession.
The first phase of Lakefront Park construction is under way but the city must still determine how to finance its completion. We agree with Commissioner Cheryl Grieb that it would be prudent for the city to look at a possible bond issue to finance the park’s completion sooner rather than later due to lower construction costs brought on by the recession. In addition, an improved overall look of the downtown area could be used as a springboard for other improvements down the road.
The commission at its retreat also agreed to make the Vine Street corridor its top priority in the upcoming year. We concur. We need development standards for the area so that prospective businesses know what would be expected of them and we need maintenance standards so that property – both buildings and landscaping – is well-maintained, whether occupied or not. We also agree that a community redevelopment agency for the Vine Street and the Orange Blossom Trail corridors should be considered as well, either solely by the city or jointly with Osceola County government.
The city also needs to appoint two residents who are knowledgeable and committed to becoming involved in the county’s new Gateway Advisory Committee, formed to look at a number of roadways leading into the county that connect to U.S. Highway 192. The new committee, which will take over for the former East 192 Enhancement Advisory Committee, will have its work cut out for it examining issues in very diverse areas, from Narcoossee Road to Orange Blossom Trail, with each area having unique problems and resources. And, as we have said before, any discussion for improvements to Vine Street should be undertaken in conjunction with any discussions for the corridors coming into it.
As property assessments continue downward, local governments are going to have to tighten their belts once again for the short term, and we hope that revitalization efforts on Vine Street remain a priority.