Tom Wodrich Erin Tilghman Jennifer Stults The opening of the newest major theme park in Florida, LEGOLAND Florida, has provided unique challenges for community planners, business owners, and residents in the existing communities. In anticipation of the tremendous opportunities yet potential threats to the way of life here, planners from multiple jurisdictions gathered community leaders together to discuss the key issues such as infrastructure, traffic, signage/wayfinding, and improved pedestrian/transit accommodation in order to create a vision for the future of a community influenced by an anticipated 1.5-2 million visitors per year.

1. ENVISIONING A SHARED FUTURE BRICK BY BRICK

2. Location, Location, Location…

3. History 1936 – Cypress Gardens opens Florida’s 1st commercial tourist theme park Became water ski capital of the world US 27 was major North/South artery through the state 1959 - I-4 construction begins (completed in the late 1960s) 1971 - Disney World opens (shifting tourist focus away from US 27) 2003 – Cypress Gardens closes after prolonged tourism decline Within 3 ½ months, a grass-roots effort from all 50 states and 27 countries raised USD 13,500,000 and saved the park 2009 – Cypress Gardens closes for good 2010 – LEGOLAND announces Winter Haven location (park opens October 15)

4. How is LEGOLAND different? Park open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Tuesday &Wednesday Primary Target: Families with kids ages 2-12 only Single day park usage 2 hour drive (overnight?) Incentives $5,000,000 over 10 years Expedited permits/review

5. The LEGOLAND Location Challenge 22 miles from I-4 57 miles from the Florida Turnpike Mainline Visitors travel through multiple jurisdictions along US 27 Studies show unattractive road corridors (visual/signage clutter, lack of pedestrian amenities, strip development, etc.) impede new investment. What impressions will our visitors return home to share?

8. Ongoing Corridor Planning & Collaboration

9. Working with cities along US 27 to develop a gateway planCRA 3 4

10. East Polk County Planning Studies North Ridge CRA US 27 Corridor Study Cypress Gardens Boulevard Corridor Plan North Ridge CRA US 27 Corridor Study US 27 & SR 60 Corridor Studies Potential Applicability Cypress Gardens Blvd Corridor Study

11. Common Issues and Concerns

12. "Legoland is the magic word in Winter Haven," said Bob Gernert, executive director of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce. Polk County's tourism industry received a major jolt in January with the announcement that Legoland Florida would replace Cypress Gardens. Legoland to Begin Hiring 1,000 Workers Soon Businesses Urged to Prepare for Legoland Visitors Cynthia Cross, 62 and a retired teacher, said Legoland will be good for Winter Haven, especially for motels, gas stations and restaurants. "But I just don't see how it's going to trickle down to the rest of us," she said.

13. Eagle Lake can lure tourists, a county official told city commissioners. "We've got plans coming out the wazoo," he said. "When we get businesses to locate here, then we can do some serious planning.“ Croes said building those extra services is "the chicken and the egg:" Winter Haven won't be able to become its own destination until investment is made in a cluster of family-friendly attractions that keep people in Winter Haven after the park closes. But he said investors are not going to make that kind of investment in Winter Haven until Legoland proves it can bring the people. RoberticoCroes, associate professor of tourism, events and attractions at the University of Central Florida

15. What Would You Buy?

17. Why Plan? LEGOLAND = Golden Opportunity Planning = Investment Strategy Infrastructure Promotes Growth Minimize the Tax Burden Doing More With Less = Partnering is Vital City Participation Involve Key Stakeholders Public-Private-Partnerships

18. Goals of Study Identify strategies to ensure that US 27 serves as a premiere corridor within Polk County. Enhance property values and cultivate economic development. Identify visual blight as well as access management, connectivity, and wayfinding deficiencies. Improve transit and pedestrian/bicycle access and usage. Work with municipalities to create a coordinated approach to land use and quality development standards.

20. Vision Statement Fully leverage the opportunities associated with the development of LEGOLAND Florida; Support sustainable use of limited land and public resources by encouraging higher densities, multi-modal transportation access, mixed use developments, and housing options; Protect, preserve, and enhance natural resources; Coordinate planning efforts between Polk County, the City of Winter Haven, the FDOT, significant property owners, and other interested parties/agencies; Provide safe and convenient access to shopping, housing, and essential services; Support the development of a positive visual character for the City by promoting a high degree of compatibility between land uses and by maintaining a standard for quality development; and Elevate the level of economic development through repositioning the corridor to accommodate new growth, changes in demographics, and the adaptation of the local economy.

21. Existing Conditions - Development

22. Existing Conditions – Land Use

23. Existing Conditions - Landscaping

24. Existing Conditions - Signs

25. Existing Conditions - Design

26. Existing Conditions - Transportation

27. Regional Wayfinding Signs

28. Local Signs

29. Access Management

30. Multi-modal Transportation Pedestrian/Bicycle Facilities Transit Parking Access Management

31. Pre-Construction

32. Construction Photos

33. To Be Continued….

34. Contact Information Erin Tilghman, AICP City of Winter Haven 863-298-5353 etilghman@mywinterhaven.com Jennifer Stults, AICP Florida Department of Transportation District One 863-519-2656 Jennifer.stults@dot.state.fl.us Tom Wodrich, AICP Polk County Office of Planning & Development 863-534-6792 tomw@polk-county.net