Today’s News Chief (July 16, 2008) contains a news brief noting that the Lake Region Lakes Management Commissioners will hear a proposal from Commission Executive Director Roger Griffiths to undertake a program to deepen the Chain of Lakes canal system by two feet. In an email exchange with Griffith he describes the plan as a concept that will require engineering study to determine if it can be successfully done. The process under consideration would leave the present canal walls in place and use a different system to extend new retaining structures deeper. The process would have the least impact on current lawns and landscaping along the Chain’s canal banks.
The Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors conducted their annual planning retreat on July 11 and 12. Among the priorities established was a recommendation to determine the feasibility of deepening the canals to lessen the problems associated during times of drought. This interest followed similar discussions at the City of Winter Haven’s planning retreat in May. Deepening the canals is obviously a goal whose time has come.
The Chamber of Commerce strongly endorses the concept of deepening the Chain of Lakes canals for year -round use. We urge consideration of all viable technologies to accomplish this goal in a cost effective manner. The Chain of Lakes are Winter Haven’s most unique asset and our citizens underscored their dedication to our lake-centered environment during the 1999-2000 community visioning project.
The Chamber pledges its support to work with both the Canal Commission and City of Winter Haven to make deeper canals and the resulting year-round enjoyment of our Chain of Lakes a reality. There are no quick fix or overnight solutions but with vision and determination, we can make drought less of a factor.
A project of this magnitude requires a commitment of resources and funding to become a reality. Please let the Lake Region Lakes Managment Commissioners know of your support through comments here and emails as follows:
Fresh from her role in delivering a setback for Central Florida Commuter Rail, State Senator Paula Dockery has elected to inject herself into the State’s own DRI process via a letter she sent yesterday. In the letter to Thomas Pelham, Secretary of the Florida Department of Community Affairs, Dockery notes, “The recent events of the legislative session provide DCA with plenty of breathing room to conduct an exhaustive evaluation of the potential impacts of the project, without being subjected to pressure from those trying to hurry the process along.”
We can only hope Secretary Pelham will not be subjected to pressure from those trying to delay the project until it dies.
It is disappointing to note that while we invited Senator Dockery to join the Chamber’s fact-finding visit to Alliance, Texas in this March 13 post, she is not registered as a part of the group that will visit Alliance for a site tour on Monday, May 19. It will indeed provide perspectives based on an operating integrated logistics center that has produced more than 27,000 direct jobs and had a $31 billion economic impact since opening in 1994.
The Winter Haven ILC will provide needed jobs and economic stimulus for not just Winter Haven or Polk but Central Florida. It will play an important role in your business growth for years to come. You may want to drop a note of encouragement to:
Thomas G. Pelham, Secretary Florida Department of Community Affairs, 2555 Sumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100
The Florida Senate this morning again brought to the floor transportation legislation that includes amendments relevant to Central Florida Commuter Rail. Senators discussed the merits of stripping all amendments from the legislation and sending it back to the House or hearing the full bill — amendments and all. After discussion the legislation was tabled until possibly later today.
Plans for developing an intermodal rail terminal in Winter Haven grew out of the negotiations to bring commuter rail to a four county Central Florida area. Long term goals of area leaders would bring the commuter service on from Poinciana through Polk and into the Tampa Bay area. Creation of the first 61-mile section of commuter rail are seen by many as key to future expansion of the service.
Those monitoring the proceedings feel the final decision will come Friday in the closing deliberations of the session.
The Tampa Bay Business Journal is conducting an online poll regarding Bay area opinions on the CSX project. While not scientific it’s results will be reported in some fashion. It is important that the East Polk business community weigh in on this important economic development opportunity. You can read the Journal’s brief overview and vote/comment here:
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Central Florida’s Commuter Rail Project and ultimately the CSX Rail Terminal planned for Winter Haven are stalled in Tallahassee, “The biggest reason: opposition from Lakeland.” According to reporter Aaron Deslatte “At the center of the fight is Sen. Paula Dockery, a Lakeland Republican whose husband was the driving force behind the now-repealed constitutional amendment to build high speed rail between Tampa and Orlando.” A plan, we might add, that included a stop in Lakeland but nowhere else between Tampa and Orlando.
The Sentinel report goes on to say “Dockery wants the state to look at other ways to eventually bring commuter rail to her district and to the Tampa Bay area. But she also wants CSX to abandon its plans to move its switchyard — now in Taft, in south Orange County — to land it owns in Winter Haven.” (Surely Senator Dockery knows the proposed facility is no “switchyard.” An intermodal terminal bears no resemblance to the rail yard of yesterday. If she has not visited an operating Integrated Logistics Center (ILC), we invite the Senator to travel to Alliance with us as we take area leaders on a fact-finding mission following the current legislative session.)
This entire ugly and confusing episode is made even quirkier by the fact that last Friday in Orlando, Lakeland Mayor Buddy Fletcher told assembled leaders from myregion.org, the Tampa Bay Partnership, State DOT Officials, CSX and Central Florida Commuter Rail that “Lakeland supported the commuter rail plan and wasn’t opposed to the the Winter Haven rail terminal.” For sure the city wants DOT to study the feasibility of alternative routes or a Lakeland bypass, but if Mayor Fletcher supports the terminal why does Dockery want the plans “abandoned?”
Representatives from Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties as well as the City of Orlando voted unanimously to fund 25 percent of the costs of establishing commuter rail on 61 miles of former CSX track. State DOT officials noted that this phase of bringing commuter rail to Central Florida would be the key to adding later segments such as those sought by Lakeland as well as Winter Haven and other East Polk cities. The cross section of Central Florida leaders were also told repeatedly that if we jeopardize the Federal funding currently in place, Florida would not see federal money for commuter rail again in our lifetime.
Let’s review, while Polk County is faring better than most, nationally the economy is in a downward trend — possibly recession, residential real estate is in a major slump and both the News Chief and Ledger report the state economy may not rebound until 2010. In light of this, Senator Dockery dismisses the potential long term boost of 2,000 new jobs, billions in investment and the potential Fortune 500 companies it could bring to our market.
It’s time for a wake up call!
Lakeland, a town that the railroads helped to build, feels it will be “devastated” by four additional freight trains per day. For the sake of discussion, let’s say the 16 trains a day that currently travel through the city require 10 minutes each to pass through town. That comes to 160 minutes in a 24 hour day or an average of 6.6 minutes per hour. If the terminal adds four more trains per day that would be 200 minutes per day (20 trains x 10 minutes) or 8.3 minutes per hour on average … hardly a major imposition.
There must be some correlation as well between four freight trains as compared to the traffic generated by Lakeland’s current 26 million square feet of warehouse industrial space (soon to be 31 million). When you consider the existing traffic generated by the Lakeland space, the five million square feet of warehouse and industrial business park planned for south Winter Haven seems manageable and will evolve over a five to ten year period — time to plan and implement infrastructure improvements as it grows.
We all need to remember that our economies are inter-dependent. We all have occasion to do business in other cities within Polk. Jobs in one sector of the county can benefit many various cities. It is time we work together for the greater good.
One need only make a visit to Alliance, Texas to see what planning and determination can create … a model economic engine with new housing developments underway within a half mile. More than 60 Fortune 500 corporate citizens and 150-plus new companies in 16 years.
Senator Dockery wants these plans abandoned for Polk County. It’s time we let her and our other delegation members know that there are economic interests on the east side of Polk County as well.
Your business, your employment opportunities, our cities, schools and county stand to benefit immensely from the construction of this project. We believe we have the expertise and vision to make it a model facility and business park.
Don’t let those with personal agendas block this opportunity. Send a note to our elected leaders today … here are their email addresses:
US Representative, Adam Putnam, www.adamputnam.house.gov (then click on the first link in left column “Contact Adam”
If you could help a student become 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs … would you do it? Consider for a moment a young person who meets with a mentor is…
- 27% less likely to begin drinking alcohol
- 52% less likely to skip school
- 33% less likely to engage in a fight
The Chamber Education Committee is asking you to consider becoming a mentor for a student who needs guidance and a caring adult in his or her life. You can partner with an associate which will allow a child to have the commitment of meeting with either you or your partner each week. Support of mentoring is a primary Chamber goal.
Learn more …
Sign up to take mentoring training on December 5, 2007 from 8 - 10 a.m. at State Farm Insurance on Cypress Gardens Boulevard. (Bring a photo ID to enter.)
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
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.
I was fortunate to travel to Alliance, Texas last week with City of Winter Haven representatives for an onsite visit to an intermodal rail facility and the offices of Hillwood (a Perot Company) responsible for master planning the surrounding business park. The land in use for the intermodal rail facility was 196 acres with room to expand. We were toured through the BNSF Railway facility by Glenn Smith, Senior Manager of Hub Operations and a 31 year BNSF employee. Smith opened the intermodal facility in 1994 and has directed the operations there since that time. We were given a thorough tour of the rail facility as well as the automotive terminal. Our hotel was approximately a half mile from the terminal adjacent to Interstate 35.
This entrance sign to the Alliance Center was just east of I-35. The building with tower in the background is a new retail center that includes restaurants and retail shops. This is approximately one half mile from the rail facility.
Observations and impressions.
The Alliance intermodal rail facility is very similar in size to the CSX facility now being planned in south Winter Haven. The Alliance center will complete approximately 600,000 lifts (loading a truck trailer-sized load on or off a rail car) in calendar 2007. That is three times the volume projected for the CSX site. The facilities were extraordinarily clean and orderly. Noise levels were low and at one point in the tour we were in a van immediately adjacent to the translift pictured below. With the driver’s window down we could easily carry on a conversation and the translift was operating.
Translift
The truck trips in and out of the center number 2000 on an average day to service the lifts described above. As the CSX facility projects 1/3 that volume, assuming similar hours of operation that would equate to about 670 truck trips per day here (335 in and 335 out). CSX has estimated slightly higher numbers.
Approximately a half mile across an open field from the intermodal rail center a new housing development is well underway. Average home prices according to Smith are from $200,000 to $1 million. A small community named Haslet is immediately adjacent to the rail terminal. Smith shared that since the terminal’s opening there had been no major issues with the residents of Haslet.
The automobile portion of the intermodal rail terminal has strictly controlled access. The rail cars have three levels of cars and workers attach ramps between the rail cars and automobiles are literally driven through the train to the exit ramp.
The surrounding business park has strict development standards that govern building color, landscaping and lighting. Those regulations are a part of the master plan controlled by Hillwood. City representatives were particularly interested in the quality of the development and the standards required to ensure the same type of quality here in the Winter Haven center. Our group also toured the business park at night observing the downlighting required by the building covenants. It was a clear evening and we could easily see the stars in the night sky.
The total acreage for Alliance is far greater than the project proposed here. Alliance occupies 17,000 acres north of Ft. Worth. The master plan for the project includes both business and residential uses. There is also a large “reliever airport” adjacent to the rail facility that was designed to relieve air traffic at the Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport.
City officials traveling to the site included Assistant City Manager Dale Smith, Community Development Director David Dickey, Planner Jean Sobierajski, and Communications and Marketing Division Director, Donna Sheehan.
Tomorrow we’ll take a look at jobs created - both direct and indirect - and economic impact.
Some of you may remember the song “Downtown” by Petula Clark. A popular 1960s hit it became the mantra for many downtown promotions before the National Main Street program declared the song had just been used too much. That was 20 years ago and the song is enjoying new relevance as Main Street cities successfully bring their downtowns “back to life.”
Main Street Winter Haven working with the City has brought new energy, beauty and vitality to Downtown Winter Haven. At Main Street’s recent annual meeting there was a “new release” of “Downtown” by a variety of talented Winter Haven folks. There are some surprising cameo appearances as well. You’ll enjoy watching…
The Winter Haven population estimate for 2007 is 33,144 up nearly 7,000 people from the 2000 census. Perhaps more interesting are the population estimates with in a series of concentric circles as follows:
Population within 25 miles of Winter Haven: 660,327
Population within 50 miles of Winter Haven: 3,376,845
Population within 100 miles of Winter Haven: 8,602,111
Estimates for 2007 also indicate the city has 12,889 households and a median household income of $36,164. The median family income is pegged at$45,026.
From 1990 to today the average owner occupied housing value in the Chain of Lakes City has grown from $60,700 to $98,599 … a 62.4 percent increase (an average growth of 3.67% per year).
The chart below represents Workers by Occupation for Winter Haven.
This report was developed specifically for the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce by economist Gordon Kettle. Mr. Kettle is a professor at Polk Community College and a consultant to the Central Florida Development Council. This information will be included in the 2008 edition of Destination Winter Haven and also available on the Chamber’s Web site.
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Today’s News Chief (July 16, 2008) contains a news brief noting that the Lake Region Lakes Management Commissioners will hear a proposal from Commission Executive Director Roger Griffiths to undertake a program to deepen the Chain of Lakes canal system by two feet. In an email exchange with Griffith he describes the plan as a concept that will require engineering study to determine if it can be successfully done. The process under consideration would leave the present canal walls in place and use a different system to extend new retaining structures deeper. The process would have the least impact on current lawns and landscaping along the Chain’s canal banks.
The Official Website of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce
