08-1855 Support of 17-92 Interchange SR 436 & 17-92 Widening - Sheppard to Lake Mary Blvd Projects

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RESOLUTION NO. 08-1855 "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CASSELBERRY, FLORIDA SUPPORTING THE EXPEDITIOUS FUNDING AND COMPLETION OF THE U.S. 17-92 INTERCHANGE AT S.R. 436 PROJECT AND THE WIDENING OF U.S. 17-92 FROM SHEPARD ROAD TO LAKE MARY BOULEVARD" Whereas, the U.S. 17-92 Interchange at S.R. 436 project goal is to alleviate traffic congestion, increase capacity, and improve the transportation level of service along the arterial highway through the City of Casselberry, the City of Casselberry CRA, and the Fern Park area of unincorporated Seminole County; and Whereas, the U.S. 17-92 Interchange project has been included in the MetroPlan Orlando's Long Range Plan since 1985 and has moved up to become either Priority #1 or #2 in the list of unfunded projects (FY 11/12-24/25); and Whereas, the U.S. 17-92 Interchange project alignments were presented to and adopted by a Resolution of support by the City of Casselberry City Commission in 2004 with an estimated construction date of 2009, and then the proposed construction date moved to 2016, and most recently in September 2007, the construction date was moved to 2025; and Whereas, such a prolonged delay in the construction of the U.S. 17-92 Interchange project substantially hinders the City of Casselberry's and Seminole County's redevelopment efforts along the U.S. 17-92 corridor and the CRAs; and Whereas, the Preliminary Design & Environmental Study (PD&E) was funded in 2002, final design was funded in 2005, final plans are scheduled to be completed in July 2008, and approximately $13 million advanced right-of-way acquisition funding has been allocated, with over ten (10) properties acquired to date for the Interchange project; and Whereas, an additional segment of U.S. 17-92 proposed for widening from Shepard Road to Lake Mary Boulevard was previously funded, but was recently removed from the FOOT work program and returned to #1 priority on the unfunded list of projects due to cost increases; and Whereas, the U.S. 17-92 corridor lies either within or near the cities of Casselberry, Longwood, Winter Springs, Lake Mary, Sanford, and Altamonte Springs and through the unincorporated areas of Seminole County, and all areas are significantly adversely affected by traffic impacts along the corridor which continue to worsen with no improvements in sight; and Whereas, a "U.S. 17-92 Renaissance" in the Seminole County area, combined with transportation improvements, will help to eliminate traffic congestion, blight, restore tax base, and invigorate business and commercial redevelopment along the corridor; and Whereas, prime commercial properties acquired for the Interchange project through the advanced right-of-way acquisition program will be sitting undeveloped for over 18 years given the current project construction start date, and having these properties idle for such a long period of time and contributes to blight within areas identified for redevelopment; and