One more reason I'm optimistic about Orlando's future. And the future is closer than you think.
The Burnham Institute is making their move into their new home in Lake Nona. Read the article in the Orlando Sentinel today for more on that story. This is just one of the many reasons I am so optimistic about Orlando's economic future. There are "experts" predicting doom and gloom for the city beautiful, but I doubt they actually have a clue what is going on here. The Burnham move kicks off what is nothing less than the next boom in Orlando. They have been here for some time now getting their shop set up in a small space at the Florida Blood Center's headquarters. They are moving into a space about eight times bigger, and this is just the beginning. The UCF medical school will be getting underway with some of the best and brightest in the country. UCF had more applicants per opening than any other medical school in the country. It did not hurt that these first students get a free ride, but that shows the community support for this program. There will also be a new VA hospital and Nemours Childrens hospital in the area. The total impact to the Orlando economy is estimated to be equivalent to Disney. Innovation Way will complete the connection of this area to the University of Central Florida and the Central Florida Research Park.
In addition to this activity, Orlando and really Central Florida is a vote away from clearing the path for SunRail. This commuter rail project could be up and running by 2010 of 2011 connecting the people of West Volusia to downtown Orlando and shortly after that all the way to Poinciana in south Osceola county. This will be a huge boon to the economies of the areas along the rail line with stops in several cities. This project creates thousands of new jobs and relieves one entire lane of I-4 congestion. Of course, when it is 80 and sunny blue skies it makes it much easier to be optimistic. Orlando remains the number one tourist destination in the world and one of the top places people would like to live.
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