ORLANDO, Fla. — Officials in Orange County, Fla., have approved creation of a new special taxation district to help fund development of the “Sunshine Corridor” rail connection to allow Brightline and commuter rail service SunRail reach the Orange County Convention Center and nearby attractions.
WKMG-TV reports county commissioners unanimously approved creation of the Shingle Creek Transit and Utility Community Development District, which will address financing and construction of public infrastructure for a 719-acre area, and levy taxes from property owners in that district. The district includes just two landowners — University City Development Partners, affiliated with Universal theme parks, and Hilton hotels. Universal, which proposed the district, plans to build the “Epic Universe” theme park on the site [see “County commissioners to vote on plan …,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 5, 2023].
Property assessments and the sale of tax-exempt bonds would be used to fund $174 in infrastructure, including $125 million for the Sunshine Corridor project. That includes land and other support for a station. The coalition supporting the rail project says it would provide a new transit option for almost 100,000 workers in the International Drive area, including those working at the Epic Universe project, projected to open in 2025.
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