Commuter Rail Timeline

Winter Park Station

Winter Park Commuter Rail

The Central Florida Commuter Rail is coming to Winter Park and some local residents are torn about whether it will help or hinder the community.
The Winter Park Station is included in Phase I Commuter Rail Alignment, which includes 31 miles and 12 stations from Debary in Volusia County to Sand Lake Road and is expected to be operational by 2011. Phase II of the commuter rail will include 30 miles and five stations from Sand Lake Road to Poinciana in Osceola County and from Debary to Deland in Volusia County is expected to be operational by 2013.
Local business owners in Winter Park are hoping the commuter rail will bring will be a positive step in stimulating economic growth to the area, while some residents are concerned about the side affects the commuter rail could have on the community.
Donald Marcotte, assistant director and city engineer of Winter Park’s Public Works Department, said the hope for the commuter rail is not to bring growth in terms of density, but in terms of economic stimulation.
“The theory behind our station is that we already have TOD [Transit Oriented Development], we have an entire community that is built around this station already, so we don’t want to grow anymore, we just need to bring people in to spend their money on the retail that we already have,” said Marcotte. “So there’s a theory that whoever’s coming here to work or to visit is going to help the economy here.”
Marcotte also said that even though the economy could be stimulated by the rail, it is not the city’s main goal.
“Typically if it’s just used for people going back and forth to work, that’s not a tourist type of revenue that you’re going to receive,” he said. “It’s not designed to move tourists.”
Melixa Carbonell, owner of Shou’Ture Shoe Boutique on Park Avenue, is excited about the commuter rail coming to Winter Park and is hoping that although the rail is not designed for tourists it will still attract more to the area.
“One of the biggest downfalls in term of getting them [clients] to come into Winter Park is that they don’t want to have to drive,” Carbonell said. “And with the construction on I’4 getting ready to start in 2010, for I’4 expansion, getting here will be even more difficult, so for myself and many of the business owners here, a commuter rail is crucial for keeping us alive.”
When it comes to the commuter rail Carbonell believes it is not an option but a necessary for small business owners like herself.
“I think the commuter rail would help us in terms of tourism and would be something that our Windermere clients would utilize,” she said.
Carbonell, a resident of Winter Park, is excited to see the outcome of the commuter rail for her business, and is excited to use it herself.
“I do like to go downtown to get dinner or see a Magic game and to be able to hop on a train to get to the arena,” she said. “It’s just common sense to have that ability to go and visit your city.”
She is also looking forward to saving money on gas and believes public transportation is a great way to utilize energy costs.
“With rising fuel costs people are very cautious in terms of what they spend,” Carbonell said. “Being able to use something that is cost effective and energy efficient to get around, I think is a no-brainer.”
C.J. Cantú, owner of Haagen Daz on New England Avenue, is also looking forward to cutting costs on fuel by riding the commuter rail from his home in Altamonte.
He said riding the rail to work would also help eliminate his problems with limited parking around Park Avenue, but is not sure it would stimulate his business much.
“It depends on the demographics the rail brings,” Cantú said. “People that ride the Lynx bus are not coming in to buy ice cream.”
Although Cantú is uncertain of the outcome the commuter rail may have on the economic conditions of the community, he is still excited to see the end result.
“Change is good,” he said. “We learn from it.”
Luisa Cannon, a Winter Park resident and Sales Associate for Red Marq, a greeting business on Park Avenue, is not so excited about the outcome of the rail.
She said she is torn on the idea of the commuter rail coming to Winter Park.
“I live right behind the train, so I’m afraid of the noise and I don’t know if I’m going to loose property or if we are going to have crime,” Cannon said. “But on the other hand, I think it could be good for business and will attract more people.”
She also said although the rail could possibly attract more tourists to local businesses, she is not sure the costs and benefits of the rail will be worth it.
“I’m all for public transportation, but I have a bad feeling about it [the rail],” Cannon said. “I am skeptical. I get the feeling that it’s not really going to make a good difference.”