Parade on tap today

The city of Kissimmee Parks and Recreation Department is encouraging residents to line the streets of downtown and show their support for the students from Osceola High School as they host a homecoming parade at 5 p.m. today.

As a result of the parade, Broadway Avenue will be closed from Drury/Neptune Road to Beaumont Street, from 4:45 p.m. until approximately 6:30 p.m.  

For more information, call the Kissimmee Civic Center at 407-518-2503.

Master plans are out of compliance

Osceola County has received notice of the Florida Department of Community Affairs’ intent to find the county’s three conceptual master plans out of compliance with state requirements.

The three plans, covering six of the county’s nine mixed-use districts, were adopted by the County Commission in August after revisions were requested by the state agency. The plans cover three areas: the Northeast District (an area south of Lake Nona near the Orange-Osceola County line), South Lake Toho (covering an area roughly east of Lake Russell and west of the Florida’s Turnpike on the south end of Lake Tohopekaliga) and east of Lake Toho (covering an area east of the lake and west of the turnpike, including the Toho Preserve, Tohoqua, Edgewater, Friar’s Cove and Bella Tara developments of regional impact).

Because they are a part of the county’s Comprehensive Plan, the state agency has the authority to review the plans and make a determination as to whether they comply with state statute.

“We are disappointed by FDCA’s findings, but they in no way weaken the county’s commitment toward sustainable land use planning,” Osceola County Manager Don Fisher stated in a press release. “It is not unusual for a regulatory agency to be cautious in approving new ideas and approaches. We will work to address the state’s concerns with the intent to bring the plans into compliance in as short a time as possible.”

The plans, county officials stated, are designed to help transform the county from a bedroom community for the Orlando metropolitan area to a regional economic center with a sustainable mix of jobs and housing. Consistent with this vision on how the county should grow, the plans establish compact, pedestrian-oriented communities that can be served efficiently with transit, thereby moving the county toward a more sound and sustainable future, the press release stated.

Approximately 114,260 jobs are anticipated to be accommodated by the plans, almost half of them within the Northeast District, which is near the emerging life sciences economic cluster at what is being called Medical City in Orange County.

Last month, the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association recognized the quality of the county’s efforts by presenting it with an Award of Merit for best practices for the plans.

The county’s next step is to resolve the state’s concerns so it can move forward with implementing the plans, according to the county press release.

For more information, contact the Osceola County Public Information Office at 407-742-0100.

Roadwork announced for Kissimmee

The city of Kissimmee Public Works and Engineering Department, beginning this morning, will resurface the road along Woodcrest Boulevard and a portion of Oak Run Boulevard.

Crews will take approximately one week to resurface Woodcrest Boulevard and Oak Run Boulevard from Woodcrest Boulevard South to Oak Breeze Avenue.

Drivers should expect some delays, while driving through this area.

For more information, contact the Public Works and Engineering Department at 407-518-2170.

Health Department awarded grant for $8.3 million

The Osceola County Health Department has been awarded a Facility Improvement Project grant totaling $8.3 million.

As a result of this grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Health Department will expand facilities at two of its federally qualified health centers in Kissimmee and St. Cloud; and construct a new, two-story building in Poinciana, which has been operating out of modular units since 2005.

"We are excited about the grant award we have received,” Health Department Administrator Belinda Johnson-Cornett, stated. “It will enable us to expand primary care services and provide a medical home to more of the uninsured and others in our county who are in need of medical care.”

Osceola County Health Department's FQHCs are a major safety net provider within Osceola County. Without our services many would go without health care. We are looking forward to working with the county and other community stakeholders to ensure this project is successfully implemented."

According to the American Community Survey compiled by the Census Bureau, Florida ranks fourth in the nation with 20.9 percent uninsured. The Orlando-Kissimmee metro area exceeds both the state and the nation, with 21.2 percent uninsured. Additionally, Osceola County experienced the greatest increase in poverty among children of any Central Florida county, increasing more than 6 percent from 2008 to 2009.

The Capital Development program grants, administered by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, will support major construction and renovation at 143 community health centers nationwide over the next five years.

Student field trips planned

The Kissimmee Parks and Recreation Department will offer fun activities for Osceola County students who will be out of school Friday, Oct. 22, and Monday, Oct. 25.

On Oct. 22, students will visit Skate Reflections. On Oct. 25, students will take a tip to Green Meadows Petting Farm. Parents can drop their children off at the Oak Street Park Community Center to participate in the planned field trips.

The day includes supervised care from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., field trip transportation and admission and afternoon snacks. The field trip is open to all school-age children in kindergarten through eighth grade. The students must bring a bagged lunch. Cost is $25 per day per child.

Space is limited. Register at the Oak Street Park Community Center, 717 N. Palm Ave., Kissimmee.

For more information about this program or other Kissimmee Parks and Recreation programs, call 407-847-2388.