Posts filed under 'Commercial Developments'
Posted: January 18, 2008: 12:31 pm
George “Red” Hoagland Sr. brought his Hyundai Automobile Dealership to Winter Haven celebrating their grand opening this week. The brand new location is operated by Hoagland, son George and Justin Hoagland is General Manager. The family has owned various automotive dealerships for more than 60 years.
In addition to great new and used automobiles you may have noticed a large LIVE red bull in the pen out front. Stop by before 3:30 p.m. Saturday, January 19th and guess the weight of the bull. If you are correct you could win $3,000 — NO BULL! The winner will be announced live on WPCV 97 Country at 5 p.m.
Red Hoagland (center with scissors) is flanked by Mayor Nat Birdsong (left) and son George (right) as he prepares to cut the ceremonial ribbon to the new dealership Thursday, January 17.
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Economic Development, General Announcements, Transportation
Posted: January 2, 2008: 11:13 am
The new owners of Florida’s Cypress Gardens have announced a significant operational change at the historic attraction. Owners say the move will create a more energized, fun-filled experience that will be applauded by Cypress Gardens’ current guest base and create strong appeal to both area residents and visitors to Central Florida.
Baker Leisure Group, headquartered in Orlando, respected worldwide as one of the premiere
consulting and management specialists in the themed attractions industry, has been appointed to operate the 71-year old Florida themed attraction. “This is an important first step toward providing our guests with a more positive, memorable guest experience,” said co-owners Rob Harper and Brian Philpot, who announced Baker Leisure Group’s appointment on Tuesday. Harper and Philpot said the change does not affect the attraction’s operating staff, but replaces the contractor that had been managing Cypress Gardens on interim basis since the two Polk County natives purchased the attraction last October. The operational changeover is effective immediately.
“We are fortunate to have Baker Leisure Group at Cypress Gardens. They are one of the premier management companies in the world and based in Central Florida. Cypress Gardens needs a strong community presence, an element the Baker group understands,” said Harper and Philpot. Baker Leisure Group, comprised of veterans of some of the world’s most successful theme parks and attractions, has earned worldwide recognition for their attraction and theme park management capabilities. The Orlando-based company has handled assignments ranging from the popular Coca- Cola Olympic City at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games to planning, opening and managing Al Shallal, Saudi Arabia one of the largest theme parks in the Middle East. Altogether, Baker Leisure Group has been involved with more than 100 theme parks, attractions and related assignments around the world since the firm was founded in 1988 by 40-year theme park and attractions management specialist Steve Baker.
Harper and Philpot also stress that the attraction will maintain a close relationship with the local community. Community relations programs will include partnerships with local businesses, greater community involvement and a proactive outreach to Cypress Gardens’ “alumni” and fans.
Cypress Gardens staff were notified of the operational change on Tuesday morning. Vendors and suppliers to Cypress Gardens were also notified of the change, along with assurances that the change is a reflection of the new ownership’s confidence in the park’s future.
The ownership team said they are in the process of notifying a number of other influential local audiences in Central Florida, including tourism industry and economic development leadership, as well as current ticket holders and volunteers who have lobbied to keep Cypress Gardens operating after the attraction suffered attendance declines in the 1980s and 1990s and an ownership change in 2005.
“Visitors to Cypress Gardens will notice a more lively, interactive, engaging atmosphere as we move forward,” said Steve Baker, whose company has assumed operational control of the attraction. “We provide the best overall guest experience possible. The changes will range from cosmetic to cultural. Cypress Gardens enthusiasts will recognize and applaud the changes and potential guests, particularly families living in the fast-growing Polk County metropolitan area, will have plenty of reasons to want to visit the attraction for the first time or make a return visit.”
Baker said operational changes will address intangibles such as more extensive staff training, revised internal operating procedures such as queue line management and more accessible food and beverage service, as well as more visible changes.
Land South Holdings Group
Land South Holdings, based in Mulberry, Fla., is a real estate investment company specializing in large land acquisitions in the United States. www.landsouthgroup.com
Baker Leisure Group
Baker Leisure Group based in Orlando, Fla., is a multi-faceted management and consulting company specializing in attractions, entertainment centers and tourism businesses. bakerleisuregroup.com
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Cypress Gardens, Tourism
Posted: December 10, 2007: 3:16 pm
We hear that there may be a new “Depot” in store for Winter Haven. Word is that when the new Publix store opens at Southeast Plaza, the present grocery store location will be remodeled and home to an Office Depot.
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Commercial Renovations, Economic Development
Posted: December 6, 2007: 8:20 am
Artist’s Rendering of Renovated and Expanded Admiral’s Inn
Jeff Vandiver, General Manager of the Best Western Admiral’s Inn has announced expansion and renovation plans for the hotel. The new building will have 90 suites and eight king rooms with hot tubs for a total of 98 new rooms. Plans call for a full range of amenities including wired and wireless high speed internet, fitness center, business center and meeting rooms. The existing building will get an exterior facelift in the process. The new building will be located in front of the existing structure. The miniature golf course that occupies a portion of the site has been closed and will be demolished.
Vandiver commented, “We are very excited about the expansion of our hotel. With the continued growth in the southeast area of Winter Haven, we feel this will complement the new growth that has already taken place. As the preferred hotel of Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, we wanted to ensure that our guests receive the best accommodations the area has to offer. Once construction has been completed, approximately twenty new jobs will be created for the greater Winter Haven area. Our owner is proud to be a part of this community and this investment assures that we will be here for many years to come.”
A groundbreaking is expected in early 2008 with completion in the Fall.
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Commercial Renovations, Economic Development, General Announcements, Tourism
Posted: November 21, 2007: 10:50 am
It is important to note that Alliance, Texas includes both a rail and air hub and the volume of consumer goods and automobiles it handles is three times that projected for the CSX intermodal center planned for Winter Haven. With that in mind the Alliance global hub generates impressive economic numbers … and if Winter Haven and Polk County see just one-third of the Alliance experience … solid, high quality economic growth is in store.
Offices of Hillwood, a Perot Company
Hillwood, the Perot Company development arm responsible for master planning the Alliance, Texas global logistics hub, presents a number of economic indicators as of December 31, 2006. Hillwood estimates that Alliance has had a $31.3 billion impact from 1990 through 2006 and a $2.77 billion impact for 2006 alone. Private investment accounts for 94.71% of the development - more than $6.2 billion.
Direct jobs created - more than 27,700
Indirect jobs created - more than 66,800
Number of Companies - more than 150
Number of Fortune 500, Global 500 and Forbes Top Private Companies - more than 65
You can review the complete Alliance economic impact statement here.
The rail intermodal portion accounts for approximately 300 employees. The true job growth occurs in the industries that locate facilities in the business park. The list of those companies features some of the world’s most successful including: AT&T; Bridgestone/Firestone; Coca-Cola; Con-way Freight; Hyundai; JC Penny; Kraft Foods; Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America; Motorola; Nestle; SC Johnson & Son and the list goes on. You’ll find a complete listing of Alliance corporate and retail businesses here.
Alliance, Texas is a model of how an intermodal facility and related business park can attract high quality corporate businesses and succeed in concert with retail and residential interests. Proper planning, building, landscaping and lighting controls as well as innovative thinking have created a powerful synergy just north of Ft. Worth. I have every reason to believe Winter Haven and East Polk can have the same experience.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Perspective, Success Stories, Transportation
Posted: October 26, 2007: 3:06 pm
Mark your calendar for November 2 and 3 as Tanner’s Pub, popular downtown restaurant and lounge reopens after an absolutely “upside down” renovation. What previously was on your right as you entered is now on the left and what was on the left is now … oh well, you get the picture. Structural upgrades to the building required the removal of the previous bar area as well as the floor surrounding it. You’ll find a versatile new “soft seating dining area” that also doubles as a private function space. The stage is at the Central Avenue end of the new design previously occupied by a dining alcove.
Warm colors and glass accent panels decorate and define the various spaces of the new look. We’ve placed a couple of “sneak peeks” below.
From this vantage point you are standing where the bar used to be looking toward the walk-in cooler. This smaller service bar area will serve private functions.
This view looks directly where the stage used to be. If you look carefully in front of the left- hand beverage cooler you can see the establishment’s namesake, Tanner. The new bar features antique heart-of-pine planks salvaged from the floor that was removed.
November 2 and 3 … one more great Winter Haven place to dine out!
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Commercial Renovations, Dining
Posted: October 18, 2007: 3:00 pm
Projected traffic impacts for the CSX Intermodal DRI have been submitted. The methodology outlines both employee trips and truck traffic. The twelve-page document is available here. Map segments are presented below.
Projections indicate that all traffic for the intermodal terminal will enter and exit via State Road 60 to the south of the 318-acre site. The results indicate an average weekday trip generation of 513 vehicles in and 513 vehicles out or a total of 1,026 trips of which 80% would be from trucking operations (approximately 400 in and 400 out or 800 per day.
Fifty-six percent of truck traffic will travel to and from the terminal from the east on 60 with 53% using US 27 (i.e. 212 inbound and 212 outbound in a 24 hour period). One percent or approximately 10 8 trucks would travel through Lake Wales on 60.
Forty-four percent of the truck traffic will travel to and from the facility from the west on State road 60 to Bartow where 23% will use US 98 with 17% then traveling the Polk Parkway. Six percent or about 50 trucks would travel through Lakeland. (Ed. Note: This preceding two paragraphs were clarified to indicate that the percentages represent trips to a from the intermodal center.)
The methodology was prepared by HDR and the analysis is consistent with requirements and procedures of the Central Florida Regional Planning Council. Estimates were developed in part from existing intermodal traffic from the Taft facility near Orlando and the automobile arrival and distribution from both Taft and Tampa facilities.
The following map segments are from a map contained within the report available above.
Above: Eastern Polk Traffic Impacts (Black = Employee)(Red = Trucking)
Below: Western Polk Traffic Impacts (Black = Employee)(Red = Trucking)
The methodology is a part of the Development of Regional Impact (DRI) process.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Transportation
Posted: October 16, 2007: 3:12 pm
The Central Florida Regional Planning Council has begun pre-application meetings and procedures for the CSX Development of Regional Impact (DRI) study to be completed on the 318 acre intermodal terminal site. The formal application is expected to be submitted by CSX to the planning council in early December. CFRPC plans to present related documents for public review on their website www.cfrpc.org and comments regarding the DRI can be directed to csxdri@cfrpc.org.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Transportation
Posted: September 28, 2007: 8:52 am
CSX Corporation announced today (September 28, 2007) that the purchase of 318 acres from the City of Winter Haven for a state-of-the-art, rail intermodal and automotive terminal has been completed.
The land was purchased by Evansville Western Railway, Inc., a CSX affiliate company.
The land purchase and construction of the terminal are essential steps in the relocation of rail freight traffic to accommodate commuter rail operations in a four-county area from Deland to Poinciana. Commuter rail is the basis for a pending agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation.
A Development of Regional Impact (DRI) review will be conducted to evaluate the effects of the terminal on the region. The company will work with the state and Polk County to address any concerns identified by the process.
Winter Haven City Manager, David Greene, confirmed that documents have been signed and the $6,998,200 purchase has been completed. Asked about the sale Greene noted, “It’s really exciting. It’s the most significant economic development opportunity to date and it’s going to happen in Winter Haven.”
The DRI process will begin in mid-October.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Transportation
Posted: September 25, 2007: 2:55 pm
The Ledger has reported that Land South Group, Inc. of Mulberry was the successful bidder for Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in Macon, Georgia today. The park sold for $16.8 million and according to bankruptcy attorney, Ward Stone, the approval of the court on Thursday is a formality. The Chamber had learned earlier today that Land South had “prevailed” in the auction and Stone’s comments on The Ledger Web site confirm that information.
The auction was conducted by the Middle District Court-Georgia, Valdosta Division. According to
the report, Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta was purchased by the Herschend Family Entertainment of Missouri (owners of such properties as Dollywood).
Land South Holdings includes partners Brian Philpot and Robert Harper. We have learned that Deputy DEP Secretary, Bob Ballard (instrumental in the original Gardens purchase by Kent Buescher) introduced the company to the process.
Further details will be forthcoming.
Ledger report here.
Here we are … at the top of that first hill again …
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Cypress Gardens, General Announcements, Real Estate, Tourism
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