New commercial projects would be developed at the various stations, backers tell GlobeSt.com, but few could project their size or value. "It has potential," is all Dean Fritchen, a senior industrial broker at Arvida Real Estate Services Inc., would tell GlobeSt.com.
The Florida Department of Transportation is funding the bulk of the $227,000 study. Lake and Orange counties, Apopka and the Florida Central Railroad of Plymouth, FL each contributed $12,500.
The study will take seven months to complete. The information will document for Gov. Jeb Bush and the Legislature how the train will prevent vehicular congestion on U.S. 441 similar to the traffic nightmares occurring daily on Interstate 4 which runs through Downtown. U.S. 441 is the main north-south artery running from the Lake County cities of Mount Dora, Tavares, Eustis and Leesburg to Orlando.
The proposed line would run along County Road 448 in Lake County through Eustis and Tavares. It would then follow existing tracks along U.S. 441 through Zellwood, Apopka and Lockhart before stopping in Downtown Orlando on Robinson Street near Interstate 4.
The study was missing last year when Ben Biscan, vice president/general manager of Florida Central Railroad asked the Florida Transportation Outreach Council for $8 million to help fund the venture. The state agency didn't even consider the commuter train idea because its supporters didn't document the project's need to the community, according to the council.
This time around, with the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, which goes by the name of Lynx, tracking the numbers, Biscan is confident the state money will be forthcoming. "I'm keeping my fingers crossed but I'm sure we have a good shot at it," Biscan tells GlobeSt.com.
Besides the $8 million, Biscan's team will need an additional $22 million to help fund the rail line's operations and another $32 million from federal funds. The last $6 million to pay for annual maintenance costs would come from cities served by the railroad. But those cities are taking a wait-and-see position before committing tax dollars to the venture.
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