Winter Park City Talk

Train station celebration

The city, in partnership with Amtrak, the Federal Transit Administration and Florida Department of Transportation, celebrated the grand opening of the city of Winter Park Train Station on March 3. The City Commission was joined by Congressman John Mica, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, other regional dignitaries, and hundreds of community members.

Amtrak service is expected to begin at the new station within the next several weeks and SunRail service will begin Thursday, May 1. Featuring Craftsman-style architecture, passengers will be surrounded by solid beams of rich cherry wood etched with delicate carvings. Shades of green, royal blue and brown swirl about a beautifully laid tile wall – reminiscent of the colors of a peacock. From the new public restrooms to the mission-style hardware on the fine wood cabinetry to the elegantly created stained glass window of the city seal, the city’s new train station will warmly greet or bid farewell to rail passengers as they arrive and depart Winter Park. It is also the newest LEED-certified, city-owned facility, furthering the city’s commitment to sustainability.

Monday was another great celebration for the city of Winter Park that showcased the success of partnerships and teamwork from across the region. Special thanks to all the city staff that worked tirelessly to keep this project ahead of schedule and under budget.

March 10 City Commission meeting

There will be a City Commission meeting Monday, March 10, at 3:30 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers located at 401 S. Park Ave.

For the most up-to-date agenda, please visit cityofwinterpark.org under What’s New. Below are a few topics of interest:

Consent Agenda

• Approve the minutes of 2/24/14.

• Approve various contracts and purchases (for a complete listing, please visit cityofwinterpark.org/ccpackets).

• Waive the collection of various fees associated with connecting utility services to the Grant Chapel.

Public Hearings

• Second reading of the ordinance authorizing the issuance of Electric Revenue Bonds.

• First reading of the ordinance vacating and abandoning the easement located at 2020 W. Fawsett Road.

• First reading of the ordinance authorizing the conveyance of the city-owned property at 321 Hannibal Square West, in exchange for the property located at 325 S. Pennsylvania Ave.

• Resolution – Authorizing the city manager to enter into an Urban and Community Forestry Grant Memorandum of Agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

You can find the City Commission’s full agenda on the home page of cityofwinterpark.org under What’s New.

Remember, if you are unable to attend City Commission meetings, you can watch them live, gavel-to-gavel, as they happen. During the meeting, simply log on to the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org/cclive to easily stay tuned-in to official city business.

Remember to vote

The city will hold its municipal General Election for City Commission Seat 2 Tuesday, March 11. If there is one thing that you can do to ensure your voice and opinion is heard, stay informed during the campaign process and make an effort to vote in this upcoming Winter Park election. If you would like more information regarding the city’s 2014 election, please visit cityofwinterpark.org/elections or call the City Clerk’s office at 407-599-3277.

Call to artists

The city of Winter Park and the Winter Park Public Art Advisory Board announce a call to artists for “Art on the Green 2014,” an exhibition of outdoor sculptures in Central Park located in downtown Winter Park. Joseph H. Seipel, sculptor, educator and dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, will serve as guest curator for Art on the Green 2014. The exhibition will run from Monday, Sept. 1, through Sunday, March 1, 2015.

Artists nationwide who have participated in at least three previous juried shows are encouraged to submit entries for the competitive selection process now through Monday, April 21, 2014. Complete details regarding artist entries may be found by visiting the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org/AoG.

Winning entries to be included in the exhibition will be announced Monday, May 19. Each of the six selected artists will receive a $2,000 honorarium.

For more information regarding Art on the Green, a project of the Winter Park Public Art Advisory Board, please call 407-599-3498.

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