Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: January 23, 2025
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
THROUGH: N/A
FROM: Joseph C. Kunkel, P.E., Director, Public Works Department
CONTACT: Brian R. Sanders, Manager
PHONE: (407) 836-8022
DIVISION: Transportation Planning Division
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval and execution of Agreement between Orange County, Florida and Central Florida Expressway Authority regarding the westerly extension of New Independence Parkway. District 1. (Transportation Planning Division)
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PROJECT: N/A
PURPOSE:
The Public Works Department is completing review of the final design, engineering, and permitting for the New Independence Parkway Extension westerly from Avalon Road (CR 545) to the Lake County line pursuant to the Town Center West (Silverleaf) Road Network Agreement (“Silverleaf Agreement”) approved by the Board on September 1, 2020. Lake County has their portion of Wellness Way (the name for New Independence Roadway in Lake County) from US 27 to the Orange County line currently under construction, and, together with Orange County’s project, will complete an important east-west connection in south Lake and west Orange Counties connecting US 27 to SR 429.
While the roadway project is currently a delivery obligation of a private party, scheduling is largely dependent on available funding based on the pace of development activity within certain portions of the Horizon West Town Center. The design, engineering, and permitting and right of way phases are complete; however, the project will be funding constrained. Over the past several months, staff have worked with the developer to put together a funding package predicated on amendments to several public-private partnership agreements that would allow the County to assist in accelerating the New Independence Parkway Extension project.
While a specific County contribution and funding agreement is still being finalized, Orange County and the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) have negotiated the Agreement between Orange County, Florida and Central Florida Expressway Regarding the westerly extension of New Independence Parkway (“Agreement”) to provide for an additional contribution by CFX for the purpose of accelerating construction of New Independence Parkway which mutually benefits both agencies, serves a public purpose as a feeder road, and is consistent with CFX’s bond covenants. Upon approval of a road construction contract and confirmation that certain requirements under the Silverleaf Agreement have been satisfied, CFX has agreed to pay Orange County $2,500,000 as a grant contribution towards the New Independence Parkway Extension.
The County Attorney’s Office, Risk Management Division and Transportation Planning Division have reviewed the Agreement as to form and found it acceptable.
BUDGET: N/A