Posts filed under 'CSX - Winter Haven'
Posted: April 2, 2010: 10:11 am
Other than reporting that Cypress Gardens is in Winter Park (!?) the March/April Issue of Tampa’s Maddux Report contains a Polk County Corporate Report that touts projects far and wide. In the Winter Haven area, mention was made of the CSX Intermodal Rail Terminal, LEGOLAND Florida, The East Polk Committee of 100, Winter Haven’s high tech downtown “Inland Fiber and Data Park” as well as the USF Polytechnic Business Accelerator located in 610 Plaza. The article goes on to note Winter Haven Hospital’s $40 million expansion and Polk State College’s inaugural bachelor’s degree program with 169 students enrolled. With other great projects noted throughout Polk you can’t help but feel there’s a lot going on … just not in Winter Park! Don’t let the cover fool you … “The End?” pertains to the future of Florida’s film industry.
You can read for yourself here beginning on Page 24.
It provides a much more comprehensive look than Florida Trend’s April Economic Yearbook.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Cypress Gardens, Economic Development, Employment Opportunity, Health Care, High Speed Rail, Merlin Entertainments, Real Estate, Tourism, Transportation
Posted: December 10, 2009: 11:42 am
This Chamber and this blog have made no secret of our support for the planned CSX Integrated Logistics Center (ILC). This intermodal facility and the anticipated business park that will surround it have the potential to be a positive economic engine that is sorely needed in not only Winter Haven but Central Florida. Having visited Alliance, Texas in May of 2008, area business leaders and elected officials have witnessed firsthand the type of facility that can be created and the type of business and economic development that can follow.
We were fortunate to talk briefly with CSX Director of Media Relations Gary Sease this morning about the potential of this week’s legislative approval of a comprehensive railway plan for Florida. We asked what initial steps would take place. Sease noted, “This week’s vote puts two processes into motion. First, the Florida Department of Transportation and stakeholders will begin discussions regarding SunRail and the 61 miles of infrastructure upgrades that will be necessary to accommodate that commuter rail system. Timelines will be developed and implemented and, overtime CSX will relocate its Orlando intermodal and automotive operations to the Winter Haven ILC.” He indicated this planning will begin within weeks. Once a SunRail timeline is developed a plan for the Haven intermodal facility will be created that meshes with the commuter rail timeline.
Then CSX subsidiary Evansville Western Railway will begin construction of the ILC which is estimated to require approximately a year. The first order of business will be the construction of an entrance roadway from Highway 60 into the 318 acre intermodal site. In an economy beaten down by the closing of Cypress Gardens and tourism in general as well as lingering lethargy in the real estate market and local job losses, the Evansville Western project is a welcome opportunity to further diversify the area economy. It should be noted too, that recently City and Chamber officials toured the Port of Tampa with a large contingent from Lakeland. During the tour the guide noted a large area of the port that is planned for the expansion of handling containerized goods that will travel through the Panama Canal when its widening is completed in 2014. Much of that containerized consumer goods will potentially find its way to the Winter Haven ILC.
Sease was complimentary of Winter Haven City officials, Chamber representatives and others for their support and advocacy. He also pledged that CSX is committed to continuing their good corporate citizenship which has meant so much to so many area organizations. One example – last year CSX organized more than 150 volunteers to install new playground equipment, a running track, benches and other needs at Eloise Elementary. They also support safety oriented outreach such as the Red Cross. United Way of Central Florida is also among their beneficiaries. Tori Kaplan, CSX Director of Corporate Citizenship, also mentioned a new company initiative called “Trees for Tracks.” The company plans to work with communities to plant a tree for every mile of track they operate – more than 21,000 trees will be planted.
Sease closed our conversation noting that Florida took a major step forward in creating a comprehensive rail plan that addressed Orlando’s SunRail, South Florida’s Tri-Rail as well as high speed rail (particularly the Tampa-Orlando link). He added, “It’s time to put past difficulties aside and work together to address challenges and opportunities we will inevitably face in the future including job creation and economic stimulus while developing commuter, passenger and freight rail service that can make Florida a national leader.”
Positive effects are already at hand as U.S. Senator Bill Nelson’s office has announced a $40 million jumpstart for Orlando commuter rail funding. The Orlando Business Journal reports the details here.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, City of Winter Haven, Economic Development, Employment Opportunity, Real Estate, Transportation
Posted: May 12, 2009: 3:54 pm
TransDevelopment Group and Kearney Construction, the design-build general contract team for the planned intermodal and automotive rail terminal facility in Winter Haven, will postpone their May 20 2009 job fair. The event was scheduled to provide information to the local labor pool and to identify qualified Polk County suppliers and subcontractors interested in work related to the construction of the rail terminal facility.
Immediate construction of the rail terminal facility was needed to accommodate the development of SunRail, Central Florida’s commuter rail system. The Florida Legislature, however, failed to approve SunRail. As a result, the intermodal and automotive rail terminal facility will now be developed on a more deliberate timeline consistent with business demand.
TransDevelopment and Kearney Construction will reschedule the job fair and announce the date and location of the event in the future.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Employment Opportunity, General Announcements, Transportation
Posted: February 25, 2009: 3:27 pm
We have received a number of inquiries regarding subcontracting and vendor opportunities related to the Evansville Western/CSX project.
The Chamber has learned that the design-build team for the Winter Haven inter modal rail terminal, TransDevelopment Group of Atlanta and Kearney Construction of Tampa, will host a “job fair” for potential subcontractors and vendors on May 20, 2009. The exact location of the job fair will be announced at a later date (and will be posted here as well).
A more formal announcement will be forthcoming, but in the meantime any Chamber members that may be interested in bidding for work related to the Winter Haven ILC should save the May 20th date.
Photograph upper left: BNSF Rail Terminal, Alliance Gateway, Dallas/Ft.Worth, Texas
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, General Announcements, Transportation, Uncategorized
Posted: January 7, 2009: 4:15 pm
Ledger reporter Tom Palmer in a blog post today (January 7) reports that the Polk County Commission heard residents from the Sundance Ranch Estates demand the CSX Transportation buy their property located adjacent to the planned inter modal rail terminal. Speaking for the residents, Sharon Kiser is quoted as having noted, “Our concerns are being ignored.” But looking back nearly two years ago the residents of Sundance did their own ignoring of offers from CSX that would have involved them in the planning process. You can read that post here.
More troubling from this writer’s standpoint is the process that saw both Kiser and Commissioner Jean Reed wonder out loud if a fact-finding visit organized by the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce was a “staged presentation.” Speculation included whether trains and trucks were kept out of the area to provide a calmer, quieter impression.
Both observed that indeed Alliance was quieter than other sites they had visited. Expecting more hustle and bustle (traffic and noise) must have led to the conclusion that BSNF Railway and Hillwood Corporation would purposely alter their operations for an entire day (on at least three different occassions)!
The point of this post is this: Alliance IS a quieter, well run, well organized integrated logistics center because it was carefully planned to be that way (and there was existing residential comparable to Sundance when that ILC began 16 years ago). Winter Haven has that same opportunity.
Furthermore, the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce has taken great care to do the necessary homework to evaluate the value, impacts and economic potential to this community. To allege that any portion of our due diligence would involve “staged” presentations is patently false and a slap in the face to those who hosted our visits.
Commissioners voted 5-0 to send a letter to CSX asking that they buy the Sundance residents’ properties while all lauded the project’s economic potential. In light of the current economic challenges facing the entire nation, the value of a well-planned, well-organized inter modal center and business park will be found in jobs, better wages, an expanded tax base and improved quality of life.
May CSX Transportation and Sundance Ranch Estates come to an equitable resolution of the matters at hand.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Economic Development, Perspective, Transportation
Posted: December 31, 2008: 11:40 am
As 2008 comes to an end we offer our list of ten significant Winter Haven developments from the past twelve months. While the economy has slowed, there is still much positive local activity. A great many developments hold promise for the future. Here’s our selection – each is linked to the original blog post. What would you add?
10. DCA approval of the CSX intermodal rail facility
9. Winter Haven Hospital completes $40 million addition.
8. PCC one of nine community colleges to offer four-year degrees
7. Ledger New York Times buys News Chief
6. Winter Haven opens new airport terminal
5. City plans for Chain of Lakes property
4. Winter Haven Hospital attains Magnet status
3. Six Ten Corporation/T3 Communications “Inland Fiber and Data Technology Park” downtown
2. Winter Haven Parks Grow by 250 acres since 2000
1. Cypress Gardens closes … to reopen in March 2009
What would you add to this list?
The Chamber extends our best wishes for a bright and prosperous 2009. And remember … buy from local merchants, the job you save may be your own!
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Cypress Gardens, Downtown, Economic Development, Health Care, News Media, Parks and Green Space, Perspective, Real Estate, Technology, Tourism, Transportation
Posted: December 4, 2008: 10:40 am
In a conversation held this morning (December 4, 2008) Senator J. D. Alexander has learned from Secretary Thomas G. Pelham that he will recommend Department of Community Affairs (DCA) approval of the Winter Haven inter-modal rail terminal planned by Evansville Western Railroad (EWR). EWR is a subsidiary of CSX Transportation. The 318 acre project is a state-of-the art facility designed to facilitate transfer of containerized consumer goods via rail and truck.
The Development of Regional Impact (DRI) was approved by the Central Florida Regional Planning Council in August and the City of Winter Haven gave final approval for the project development order on October 29. The plans were then forwarded to the DCA for review.
Similar facilities are in place or proposed across the country to revolutionize the efficient transportation and distribution of consumer goods. The CSX Winter Haven project has the potential to become a significant economic development engine for the Central Florida area.
The potential projections for the rail terminal and related business park potential could eventually bring 8,000 new jobs to the area.
DCA approval clears the way for CSX to finalize plans to construct the inter-modal terminal. Construction on the site could begin in early 2009.
The Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors endorsed the project in December of 2007.
Update as of 12:21 p.m.: The News Chief has reported that Secretary Pelham has signed off on the development order and agreement for the truck/rail transfer center.
Photo: CSX Transportation-all rights reserved
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, City of Winter Haven, Economic Development, Transportation
Posted: October 29, 2008: 1:47 pm
Meeting in special session, Mayor Nathaniel Birdsong, convened a special meeting of the Winter Haven City Commission for the purpose of holding the final public hearing on the development order for the Evansville Western inter-modal rail terminal to be built on 318 acres of land south of Winter Haven and north of Highway 60. Commissioners held a public hearing taking input from the municipalities of Lakeland and Lake Wales, Polk County Commission, Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce and interested citizens.
The meeting began at 9:00 a.m. and just prior to 11 a.m. Commissioners voted unanimous approval for the development order for the project.
The Commission then entertained a motion to approve a development agreement with Evansville Western to begin the project. A public hearing was held with no public comment presented regarding the development agreement. The public hearing was then closed and the Commission unanimously approve the motion.
The approval will now be forwarded to the State Department of Community Affairs for their review.
City of Lakeland Asks for Aggregation
Legal counsel for the City of Lakeland began the original public hearing by presenting their arguments that “due to the potential impact on Lakeland of the second phase of the project” the 318 acre inter-modal rail terminal should undergo a Development of Regional Impact (DRI) that includes both the 318 acres and the 930 adjacent acres that the railroad has an option to purchase by 2010. Lakeland reasoned that rather than approve the 318 acre development order, the City Commission should send the complete 1200+ acre parcel back to the Regional Planning Council for the DRI process … a move certain to delay the rail terminal indefinitely. The city’s argument was framed around their contention that several aspects of the project triggered a requirement that the entire 1200 acres be reviewed simultaneously (aggregation) and certain environmental stipulations did not meet requirements of the city’s comprehensive plan.
Legal counsel for Evansville Western refuted the aggregation claim stating that the while the railroad has an option on the adjoining land, no comprehensive development plan or marketing plan existed. Evansville Western stated that at such time as a master site plan was developed they would pursue a DRI review on the remaining acreage.
City of Winter Haven Community Development Director David Dickey also presented specific ordinances and comprehensive plan subsections that found the development order under consideration to be in compliance.
Perspective: Aggregation or Aggravation?
The City of Lakeland expressed concern for the impact the Winter Haven-based project would have on that community. We would all to do well to keep that concern in perspective. Lakeland currently boasts 28 million square feet of exisiting industrial/warehouse space (source: Lakeland Economic Development Council) and another 5 million square feet under development as a result of a recent DRI approval. The Winter Haven Integrated Logistics Center (Phase II) is projected to be 3 million square feet of warehousing, 1.5 million square feet of industrial and 500,000 square feet of office space. Total – 5 million square feet.
Thirty-three million sq. ft. of industrial/warehouse vs. 5 million. Where do YOU think the most potential for impact exists?
The question at hand is: When is the last time Winter Haven had a seat at the Lakeland DRI table. If this project’s size and scope is of adequate gravity to involve Lakeland … then perhaps it’s time we weigh in on their development projects.
Further more it is a confusing position for the City of Lakeland to take when their Mayor has publicly stated his support for the Winter Haven location. It also runs counter productive to the following very positive steps that have evolved from consideration of the integrated logistics center (reprinted from earlier post):
- While there has certainly been measurable tension with our neighbors to the west, a spirit of cooperation has emerged. Representatives of both Lakeland and Winter Haven Chambers as well as the Central Florida Development Council, East Polk Committee of 100, Lakeland Economic Development Council and Polk Vision (to name a few) have met with officials from both the Tampa Bay Partnership and Central Florida Partnership in an effort to develop a Super-Regional Strategy Team encompassing the I-4 corridor. This effort, while in its infancy, has found many areas of common interest.
- In organizing the previously mentioned Super-Regional Strategy Team, it quickly became obvious that no one entity can speak for all of Polk. A county of vast size and diverse interests has many agendas. Even so, there is far more on which we agree than disagree. To this end, Polk Vision has facilitated a new independent initiative tentatively dubbed “One Polk.” It’s purpose is to develop enough consensus on priorities to represent Polk in discussions with our neighbors to the east and west (Tampa Bay Partnership and Central Florida Partnership). Co-chairs Tim Campbell and Wayne Watters are in the earliest organizational stages. More definitive plans will be announced soon.
- Polk County’s unemployment rate shot up to 7.8% in August. There are those who predict it will go higher. While we do not propose any job at any cost, the Chamber’s evaluation of the potential jobs associated with the CSX project has convinced us these are not the jobs to turn away OR DELAY.
- Lakeland’s agenda includes rerouting freight traffic away from downtown. The Florida Department of Transportation is currently studying the feasibility for just such rerouting. We support Lakeland’s quest for the best solution possible.
The point here is that much good has come from confrontation. Calmer heads have prevailed and reasoned thought has emerged to find solutions and build consensus.
The solutions to the current economic turbulence, a variety of Polk infrastructure and construction agendas as well as striving to protect the quality of life we all have come to love and enjoy will take cooperation, rational thought as well as city, county and state resources.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Perspective, Transportation
Posted: October 16, 2008: 2:27 pm
It appears that plans are afoot to ambush Governor Charlie Crist when he appears at tonight’s “Politics in the Park” event on Lake Mirror in Lakeland. Writing in a blog post in Lakeland, Billy Townsend presented the following:
Ask The People’s Governor About CSX At Politics In The Park
In fact, chant it at him while he speaks. C-S-X. C-S-X. No politickin’ without accountability.
The people’s governor says he’s coming to Politics in the Park Thursday evening. It’s his first real public appearance in Lakeland since the CSX deal became controversial.
Many, many people should ask him why he supports spending $650 million or so of Florida taxpayer money to help a private company set up its business plan, trash our city, and set back commuter rail everywhere but Orlando for decades. Particularly at a time when everything else – schools, health care spending, etc. – is cuttable. Others should ask him why it’s so easy for CSX to get a meeting with the People’s Governor when he only realizes Lakeland exists when he needs votes for John McCain.
(Some of you will recall that Townsend was employed by the Tampa Tribune and did a series of articles critical of the CSX/Central Florida Commuter Rail plans at the same time his wife was employed by the Lakeland Downtown Partnership.)
So while Mr. Townsend calls for the Governor’s ambush regarding the CSX project, he would do well to keep the following facts in mind …
- While there has certainly been measurable tension with our neighbors to the west, a spirit of cooperation has emerged. Representatives of both Lakeland and Winter Haven Chambers as well as the Central Florida Development Council, East Polk Committee of 100, Lakeland Economic Development Council and Polk Vision (to name a few) have met with officials from both the Tampa Bay Partnership and Central Florida Partnership in an effort to develop a Super-Regional Strategy Team encompassing the I-4 corridor. This effort, while in its infancy, has found many areas of common interest.
- In organizing the previously mentioned Super-Regional Strategy Team, it quickly became obvious that no one entity can speak for all of Polk. A county of vast size and diverse interests has many agendas. Even so, there is far more on which we agree than disagree. To this end, Polk Vision has facilitated a new independent initiative tentatively dubbed “One Polk.” It’s purpose is to develop enough consensus on priorities to represent Polk in discussions with our neighbors to the east and west (Tampa Bay Partnership and Central Florida Partnership). Co-chairs Tim Campbell and Wayne Watters are in the earliest organizational stages. More definitive plans will be announced soon.
- The CSX project has the potential for tremendous economic impact in a good economy. How much more valuable will the potential jobs and development be in a troubled economy? How many communities or regions across the country would trade places for this economic engine?
- Polk County’s unemployment rate shot up to 7.8% in August. There are those who predict it will hit double digits. While we do not propose any job at any cost, the Chamber’s evaluation of the potential jobs associated with the CSX project has convinced us these are not the jobs to turn away.
- Lakeland’s agenda includes rerouting freight traffic away from downtown. The Florida Department of Transportation is currently studying the feasibility for just such rerouting. We support Lakeland’s quest for the best solution possible.
The point here is that much good has come from confrontation. Calmer heads have prevailed and reasoned thought has emerged to find solutions and build consensus.
The solutions to the current economic turbulence, a variety of Polk infrastructure and construction agendas as well as striving to protect the quality of life we all have come to love and enjoy will take cooperation, rational thought as well as city, county and state resources.
Of one thing we are sure, ambushing the Governor in downtown Lakeland is no way to address any of the above.
Updated 6:55 p.m, October 16: Friends in Lakeland intervened to diffuse this matter and Governor Crist spoke without incident. The efforts to extend cooperative hands across Polk County has proven effective and holds even greater potential for the future.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Crazy Things To Do, Economic Development, Perspective, Transportation
Posted: September 10, 2008: 2:53 pm
City of Winter Haven officials today dedicated a redesigned and upgraded Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT) facility at Wastewater Treatment Plant #3 south of the city. The $15+ million upgrade is one of 60 such projects underway throughout the state and the first in Polk to become operational. (Update: 9-12-08: Jacksonville-based Haskell Co. built the $16 million project and Peter Haskell shocked city officials with a $300,000 refund of money his company didn’t spend.) Mayor Nat Birdsong noted, “It is unheard of to receive a refund of this magnitude. It just doesn’t happen.”
It did today.
Birdsong added, “We all watch wastewater go down the drain and, for the most part, would rather forget about it.” He went on to explain that the new AWT capability actually enhances Winter Haven’s sustainability in that the treated wastewater can be used to replace up to 60% of the potable water currently used in irrigation. And with every million gallons of AWT product used for irrigation — there’s a million gallons of potable water available for resident consumption. In the end, something we’d rather forget becomes an invaluable resource to sustain our community.
The AWT project eliminates the spray fields that were previously used at WWTP #3 and allows some 1200 acres to now be used for economic development purposes including the new CSX inter modal rail terminal.
The city’s successful conversion of the plant to AWT status raises the bar once more on their commitment to becoming a “green” community.
The photograph at right shows a structure designed to introduce chlorine into the wastewater to help clean it. The chlorine is later removed in another structure.
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, City of Winter Haven, Economic Development, Real Estate, Success Stories, Technology
Previous Posts
Other than reporting that Cypress Gardens is in Winter Park (!?) the March/April Issue of Tampa’s Maddux Report contains a Polk County Corporate Report that touts projects far and wide. In the Winter Haven area, mention was made of the CSX Intermodal Rail Terminal, LEGOLAND Florida, The East Polk Committee of 100, Winter Haven’s high tech downtown “Inland Fiber and Data Park” as well as the USF Polytechnic Business Accelerator located in 610 Plaza. The article goes on to note Winter Haven Hospital’s $40 million expansion and Polk State College’s inaugural bachelor’s degree program with 169 students enrolled. With other great projects noted throughout Polk you can’t help but feel there’s a lot going on … just not in Winter Park! Don’t let the cover fool you … “The End?” pertains to the future of Florida’s film industry.
The Official Website of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce
