Lakeland - Winter Haven Development News

[Hia-leah JDM]

Only other locale they are looking at is in Kissimmee.

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by Hia-leah JDM

Only other locale they are looking at is in Kissimmee.

If Legoland does come to Florida, it's safe to say it will be in Kissimmee.

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by TampaMike

I know Winter Haven ( for some reason I have been refering to it as Qinter Park lately) already has Cypress Gardens, I just don't undertand the logic of having Legoland in the center of Florida. I always thought that Cypress gardens problem was just that, they are in the center of Florida but not close to a major city that draws in people. It would even work with increasing visitors if closer to I-4. I already sent a email to the City of Tampa on trying to persuade Legoland to consider Tampa a possible location. Because really, Winter Haven is out there to most visitors and Orlando has enough theme parks, give some more to Tampa damnit!

Forget Tampa! What about Lakeland!?!?! There's abundant land along I-4 near several major exits not to mention some acreage (if it hasn't been snapped up) still available along the parkway.

Wait, what am I talking about? I forgot it's still Lakeland.

[FLAWDA-FELLA]

I wonder if the area just north of the I-4 and U.S. 27 interchange would be a good location for this park?

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by FLAWDA-FELLA

I wonder if the area just north of the I-4 and U.S. 27 interchange would be a good location for this park?

You're gonna bring a tear to my eye. I remember as a child going to Circus World and then Boardwalk & Baseball. I don't need another one. LOL!

Seriously, scrap the plans for Legoland (I guess). Another outlet is reporting that there are no "Florida" plans right now.
No Legoland in Florida — for now

This is different than the stories from last week:
Legoland may be coming to Florida - FoxOrlando
Bay area considered for next Legoland location - Baynews9

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by Lakelander

I'm not crazy about the plan but it could be worse. It seems like they could have squeezed a lot more density out of this.

Where is the Lakeland HSR station planned? Will it be here or somewhere off Kathleen Road or US 98 North?

The original station was I-4 and Polk Parkway (west). Kathleen Rd was an alternative site.

[Lakelander]

I-4/Polk Parkway west would be a horrible site for a Lakeland/Polk County stop. Kathleen Road makes more sense, but it really needs to be in a place that has ample room for infill transit oriented development. For HSR's success, that stations and the areas around them, also need to be destinations and traffic generators.

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by Lakelander

I-4/Polk Parkway west would be a horrible site for a Lakeland/Polk County stop. Kathleen Road makes more sense, but it really needs to be in a place that has ample room for infill transit oriented development. For HSR's success, that stations and the areas around them, also need to be destinations and traffic generators.

I agree 100%. Hopefully, that item would be revisited. The reason I-4/Polk Parkway west was chosen was because of the extra wide median in that area.

Do you know how hard it is to convince people how basic this is?

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by Lakelander

I-4/Polk Parkway west would be a horrible site for a Lakeland/Polk County stop. Kathleen Road makes more sense, but it really needs to be in a place that has ample room for infill transit oriented development. For HSR's success, that stations and the areas around them, also need to be destinations and traffic generators.

Like I previously stated, hopefully that item will be revisted. Below are the justifications for the station chosen as well as why other locations weren't selected:



Why locations were not selected:

[TampaMike]

Originally Posted by HeartofFlorida

Like I previously stated, hopefully that item will be revisted. Below are the justifications for the station chosen as well as why other locations weren't selected:



Why locations were not selected:

May I use this in the Tampa forum?

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by TampaMike

May I use this in the Tampa forum?

Have at it.

[FlaNatv]

If they build this, great, whatever, I'd just like to hop on a train and (for example) take it from Tampa to Winter Park for the day and return that same night without spending $50 per person roundtrip. I'm fine with greatly increased Amtrak service.

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by FlaNatv

If they build this, great, whatever, I'd just like to hop on a train and (for example) take it from Tampa to Winter Park for the day and return that same night without spending $50 per person roundtrip. I'm fine with greatly increased Amtrak service.

It wouldn't be $50. Unfortunately, increased Amtrak service isn't an option.

[FlaNatv]

Originally Posted by HeartofFlorida

It wouldn't be $50. Unfortunately, increased Amtrak service isn't an option.

Why is that not an option? And what is the proposed fare, more?

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by FlaNatv

Why is that not an option? And what is the proposed fare, more?

Amtrak isn't an option for the same reason you don't have better service now; the same reason the state is trying to buy 61 miles of track and double track it. As long as CSX has a single-line corridor, you can forget it. People are quick to assume what Amtrak can do when CSX has them on a short leash.

Station Pairs Commuter Fare
Tampa-Lakeland $ 8.40
Tampa — Disney Area $14.00
Tampa — I Drive $15.20
Tampa - OIA $16.40
Lakeland — Disney Area $10.00
Lakeland — I Drive $11.20
Lakeland - OIA $12.40
Disney Area — I Drive $ 5.60
Disney Area - OIA $ 6.80
I Drive — OIA $ 6.80

Station Pairs Full Fare
Tampa-Lakeland $24.00
Tampa — Disney Area $40.00
Tampa — I Drive $43.20
Tampa - OIA $46.40
Lakeland — Disney Area $28.80
Lakeland — I Drive $32.00
Lakeland - OIA $35.20
Disney Area — I Drive $16.00
Disney Area - OIA $19.20
I Drive — OIA $19.20

Keep in mind these were early decade fares so I'm sure they will be adjusted. Also, Full Fare is one-way. Commuter Fare is round trip based on a weekly or monthly pass.

[Lakelander]

Actually, Amtrak does have the power to add track capacity to the CSX corridor, as well as increased passenger service. All they need, and have asked for in the past, is for FDOT to partner with them and share with the costs. So, FDOT is the real holdup.

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by Lakelander

Actually, Amtrak does have the power to add track capacity to the CSX corridor, as well as increased passenger service. All they need, and have asked for in the past, is for FDOT to partner with them and share with the costs. So, FDOT is the real holdup.

I stand corrected. Thanks for the info. With FDOT involved, that will remain on the back-burner for quite some time......

[HeartofFlorida]

I ran across this site tonight by accident. Central Polk Parkway??? This is mentioned in the LRTP 2025 plan but from the looks of the website, they gearing up (a lot sooner) for the ILC and this looks to be some means of traffic easements in the area.

We'll see where this goes....

[Lakelander]

Interesting. I didn't know that traffic on US 27 and the existing Polk Parkway was that congested to warrant the construction of another major north/south highway.

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by Lakelander

Interesting. I didn't know that traffic on US 27 and the existing Polk Parkway was that congested to warrant the construction of another major north/south highway.

Well, I know that US 27 can't be widened fast enough to keep up with the volume of traffic every day. I also know that the county doesn't want that "extra" anticipated truck traffic on SR 60, US 98 or US 27. that's their justification for picking up the case. However, some things just make you wonder..... You be the judge:

• ILC - Well all know the story on this
• Central Polk Parkway - part of LRTP2025 but a website too? Apparently there's going to be a strong push for this and quite soon.
• Heartland Parkway - Need I say more? The original site for this is unavailable but there are plenty of references pertaining to the validity for a need (if you really believe it) and how is ties in to the ILC and the CPP. There are all kinds of conspiracy theories behind this one.