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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 07 23 Business Community Visioning Workshop Date: July 23, 2009 This document was distributed and referenced by City Manager Kevin L. Smith during the July 23, 2009 City Commission Workshop. 1, I City of Winter Springs BUSINESS COMMUNITY VISIONING WORKSHOP June 9, 2009 Facilitated by Marilyn E. Crotty The John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government at the University of Central Florida I INTRODUCTION After a successful community visioning workshop in February, the Winter Springs City Commission asked the John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government at the University of Central Florida (IOG) to conduct a similar workshop to engage the business community in a discussion of the future of the City from their perspective. On June 9, 2009, a diverse group of approximately 30 people gathered to describe their vision for the City of Winter Springs in the year 2020 and to identify needs and opportunities that should be addressed. Professionals, small manufacturing firms, retail, service, and at -home businesses were represented. The Mayor, four members of the City Commission, and city staff attended the workshop to listen to the ideas of the attendees. This report is a summary of the discussions and conclusions of the Business Community Visioning Workshop. WINTER SPRINGS 2020 Participants were divided into three groups and asked to imagine it was eleven years in the future (2020) and to describe their vision for the business community at that time. Several themes were identified and are listed below: Business Community Known as "the" place to start/grow /diversify with appropriate incentives Target 80/20 (residential/business) vs. current 90/10 Increase non service industry business base 95% occupancy Industrial district Historical district Sidewalk sale Something for everyone (businesses) Walking district West Winter Springs will be a desired location Historic district Increased tax revenues Facelift Businesses that cater to seniors Day care Assisted Living Facilities Business in clusters Medical clinics More office -type buildings vs. strip malls Successful incubator programs Access to businesses Points of access created Facilities Large entertainment/hospitality /conference center/ restaurant/dining Town center and surrounding open land filled with quality development Significant aquatic complex/center Enhanced trail /Jesup water taxi/bike usage /use of lake Signage for Town Center Customers can see /notice my business Electronic billboard Aesthetic signage Activities Local festivities /meet and greet/food/drinks /music The Mardi Gras of Central Florida Hotels are full Businesses to purchase Gasparilla floats 25 participating high school and college bands (FAMU) 60,000 hungry people, restaurants "Winter Park" walk/shop /eat/park in style Cultural arts Government Strive to do business with each other- government/private cooperation/local preference New businesses are able to come Design criteria of town center allows more flexibility based on business needs Form follows function Personally assigned city staff to help any business person obtain their approval/permit City adequately staffed to support the community demand Positive police /fire presence Government small, serve the business community- what can we do to help you, offer incentives Economic development office for business development Business friendly startup processes Multi -modal transportation system Education Keep /enhance Winter Springs public schools high reputation with additional amenities and activities Encourage business /community /school volunteer cooperation IDENTIFICATION OF NEEDS The small groups next were then asked to identify things that are not now in place in Winter Springs that would improve the business environment or quality of life in the city. The following suggestions were made with the asterisked items considered the most important: *Promote and advertise Winter Springs as the place to do business *Economic development council Bring businesses to community *Incentive programs to bring business Tax cut Reduce impact fees Credits /grants *Quicker permitting process *Aquatic /entertainment center *Historical district Flowers /flags Lamps with landscaping Walking path *Maintain quality aesthetics Solid anchor restaurants in town center *Medical offices *Assisted living near medical offices Transportation monorail with parking east to west Send businesses the Winter Springs newsletter Signage More businesses Regional Economic Development Commission to target Winter Springs Recycling support services Transportation Expand reclaimed water opportunities Purified water IDENTIFICATION OF OPPORTUNITIES The final activity of the workshop was the identification of opportunities that have the potential to contribute to a better quality of life or business environment in the city. The following suggestions were made with the asterisked items considered the most important: *Opportunities at Lake Jesup (water taxi, recreation, boardwalk, boat rentals) *Better utilization of water /lakes /rivers /wetlands /trail /parks *Expand amphitheater concept- create a real destination or recurring event *Seminole Way *Town Center *Technology/ communication /process /permit/online service *Growth appears, people are pleased More tax revenue More police More security for residents Lower tax burden on individuals Lower crime *Increase east -west traffic flow- create new business *Can hire more employees can grow business to next level more work less crime Wine and art museum or gallery City website /expand links to local business General Comments Don't wait- move up these priorities Include businesses on city website Newsletter available for businesses Town Center business visibility Promote events to draw people to Winter Springs- develop a slogan