Progress Point Gets an Action Plan
September 3, 2020
For more than a decade, the Winter Park City Commission has pondered various ideas for the 4.4-acre property at the corner of Orange Avenue and Denning Drive known as Progress Point. Recently, Commissioners voted 4-1 to allocate $150,000 from the Park Acquisition Fund for plans for an urban green space and associated infrastructure that will function as an important component of the Orange Avenue Overlay district and will eventually contribute to the Winter Park “Emerald Necklace” - a chain of connected parks and green spaces.
The city had retained Winter Park’s continuing services consultant ACi Architects to develop a design framework and action plan for this property. ACi will explore three components for the Progress Point property. One key component is the public park approved by both the previous and the current City Commissions. Another component is parking for surrounding businesses including a possible future parking structure. And finally ACi will explore the possibility of buildings that could house cultural activities and commercial uses to enhance the park experience.
The Winter Park Land Trust continues to advocate for the largest public park possible on the site that is compatible with the intent of the Orange Avenue Overlay plan. The land trust believes that regardless of the outcome of the overall Orange Avenue Overlay planning process, a well-designed urban park at Progress Point will be a centerpiece to the Orange Avenue Overlay redevelopment, enhancing the surrounding business district, attracting residents and visitors to the area, and providing better connectivity to Winter Park’s urban greenspaces.
As a collateral to this project, the City has engaged LandDesign Inc. to create engineering plans to realign Palmetto Drive to provide additional space for bicycle and pedestrian paths, the new urban park, public parking and possible future building structures, as well as infrastructure needs for the area. These would include utilities and storm water retention and treatment.
The Winter Park Land Trust envisions the park at Progress Point to be an exceptional public space that will enhance the value and attractiveness of the surrounding properties. The park at Progress Point will contribute to the character and quality of life in our city, becoming a major “jewel” of Winter Park’s Emerald Necklace.
Follow this link to view a fly-through rendering of one possible design for the proposed 1.5-acre park at Progress Point: