Mr. Drauer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2016
Still not news, I don't believe it was never not happening, they were just trying to finalize the alternative they were choosing. This all came out in January that is was moving forward, and the only question was how soon they thought they could obtain the properties once the alternative was selected. It appears they think they can negotiate the deals in 18 mos, maybe they will, maybe they won't as there is much involved in doing this.
This is only news to people who didn't know it was happening.
FDOT couldn't start negotiating until the project received formal approval from Federal Highway Authority which made the funding available, which happened in September 2017. The schedule calls for 24 months to complete the negotiations, which is why the formal letters went out in March.
Sorry about the Waffle House and Days Inn staying - didn't need that land for the improvements.
Many of the businesses have already looked at relocating to a new development just north of the Prime Outlets where a new interchange is going on I-4 at Daryl Carter Parkway. They can't do anything though until the negotiations fr business damages have been completed. The main reason this spot was chosen as a pond site is because it has a single owner (the businesses all lease) which is better for negotiations.
If anyone has more specific questions about the I4 project you can PM me - I spent 5 years working on this study as the lead author of the Environmental Impact Statement.