South Bluford Drainage and Roadway Improvements

Construction has been completed except for a utility connection on Columbus Street. Roadway and utility improvement project added a northbound right-turn lane from Orlando Avenue to Delaware Street, reconstructed the South Bluford and Orlando Avenue intersection, added stormwater management facilities, and installed underground water and sewer utility pipes.

Western Force Main

Under construction; bid awarded October 4, 2016. Sanitary sewer system intended to take flow off the current SR 50 force main and route it north along Maguire Road, through the Ocoee downtown area, and on to the Wastewater Treatment Plant on AD Mims Road. This work has a relationship with sanitary sewer work now being done as part of Florida DOT SR 50 road widening project, which is not included in this reporting mechanism. This project is a key precursor to Ocoee's downtown redevelopment program.

Bluford Utilities

In design stage. Potable water main being installed and put into service between Columbus Street and Silver Starr Road, along with a dry sanitary sewer main that will require completion of the Western Force Main to put into operation. Some underground piping was installed as part of the South Bluford Avenue project; design is 90% complete on the remaining extent. Work should be delayed until the Bluford Street-scape project’s construction can move forward.

Ocoee Downtown Design Code

Under development. A zoning overlay being developed to provide a more urban design basis for future downtown Ocoee development. City Commission is considering a development application moratorium in the area until the design code is adopted. Expected adoption in Fall 2016.

Bluford Avenue Reconstruction

Under development. A roadway landscaping project intended to address the appearance of Bluford Avenue from Delaware Street to Silver Star Road. Construction work cannot proceed until financing has been secured. In order to leverage utility construction funding, streetscape installation will have to be part of the restoration phase of the Bluford Utilities project.

Downtown Redevelopment Plan

The City Commission endorsed 18 capital projects recommended in the Downtown Redevelopment Plan; formal adoption of the plan is to be considered at the October 18th City Commission meeting. A model for guiding private development decisions and public infrastructure investments in the downtown Ocoee area. This plan resulted in a list of public infrastructure projects to be included in a future city bond financing effort. An initial public input hearing, the Ocoee Downtown Plan Kickoff Meeting (PDF), was conducted on March 14 at the Lakeshore Center. This event was broadcast live on Ocoee’s cable TV channel on BrightHouse channel 493. Outreach efforts also included citizen walking tours of the downtown area, subsequent public meetings, website and social media campaigns.

Maine Street Extension

Conceptual design completed. Roadway addition that will extend the present route of Maine Street west from Bluford Avenue to intersect Maguire Road. Status: Conceptual plan completed and development agreement is in place to provide required right of way. The transmittal letter, deed, and temporary construction easement have been drafted to request transfer of the required ROW. Design phase requires funding, which has not presently in place. Actual conveyance of ROW by land owner/developer should wait until roadway design has been completed. Design and construction cannot proceed until financing has been secured. The property owner has 30 days to complete the transaction from receiving certified letter from the city requesting title to the street ROW.

In addition to these city-funded projects, Ocoee is also an active participant in the SR 50 road widening project being funded by the Florida Department of Transportation and the City of Ocoee.