Kathy climbing
Vice President and Business Sector Leader
Gai Consultants
Despite possible economic heads, Leo is a bull in Orlando. “There is always something that happens in Orlando,” he says. “ With Covid, there was a bit of blip, but things are still shooting. Since the election, people have been trying to find out the rules, but projects are still financed.The programs continue to roll.There are cranes throughout the city. There are new theme parks. If you go to Orlando Airport, it is as busy as always. The barometer feels good. ”
Leo states that central Florida remains among the fastest growth regions in the United States, with the classification of Osceola County among the top ten, according to the United States Census Office. This comes the shortage of homes and the increase in traffic. Given the demand, he says that the perspectives of continuous investment and growth seems good despite some uncertainty in the market.
“Florida’s economy is expected to exceed the national economy again in 2025,” he adds.
Among the initiatives to provide relief from congestion, the Florida Department of the moving I-4 I-4 initiative begins to work to add new lanes to Interstate 4 to the Osceola and Polk counties. This year, the agency advances the construction of two new congestion relief lanes that will be inside the existing I-4 main line. The two segments: one of 4.1 miles in length and the other 3.4 miles in length, are scheduled to complete -at the end of 2025.
In Rail, the study “Sunshine Cordida is specifying to connect Sunrail, Brightline, MCO and the tourist hallway,” says Leo. Recently, Orange County leaders unanimously voted for $ 500,000 to $ 6 million study, equalizing the contributions of Seminole, Osceola and Orange Counties and the city of Orlando. The Sunshine Corredor aims to extend the Sunrail route from Orlando International Airport to the Orange County Convention Center. The study could unlock federal funding for projects. Fdot agreed to contribute $ 2 million to the study. The study is expected to be completed in 2027.
Demand for housing is still a driving force in the market, but accessibility is a major problem. However, Leo says developers, including nationals, are finding ways to make housing and related development. “Residential development continues to go further to find more affordable products,” says Leo.
The added population also promotes care needs. “Health care is still a very important economic activity and service,” he says. “Hospital systems invest aggressively to follow continuous growth and geographical expansion.”
Last year, Advent Health started working at a $ 423 million hospital installation. Located in the Nona Community of Orlando, it is expected to end in 2026. Also last year, Orlando Health took a background ground for his new $ 160 million children’s pavilion. The installation of 189,000 square meters will consolidate 30 services specialized in pediatrics.
“Hospital systems invest aggressively to follow continuous growth and geographical expansion.”
– Kathy Leo, VP and business sector leader, GAI consultants
In front, Leo says that a new plan presented by Mayor Buddy Dyer could help “ back up the city center as a regional social center, adding more parks, more pedestrian spaces and redesign key corridors. ”
It was called the DTO action plan, the initiative asks to convert Avenida Magnolia from a unidirectional street to two wide sidewalks and pedestrian services. Orange Avenue could also be transformed into a two -way street, with the aim of slowing down traffic, adding more uses of the sidewalk such as parking, collection and abandonment areas, outdoor dining areas and much more. On Lake Lucerne, plans ask for a signature park with traffic roads, a promenade and a playground. Church Street would be established as a meeting place and festival. The city also hopes to “transform the center into an iconic park, highlighting the lucerne lake redesign and the next canopy project, which will turn underused spaces into leisure destinations”, according to the city.
Leo sees several challenges that area design and construction companies have, including a shortage of talent and the continuous impacts of construction costs on projects. Leo also says that many developers are making a new Florida stormwater management rule, which requires new projects to reduce nutrient levels in the discharge of rainwater. Signed by Governor Ron Desantis last year, developers press to fulfill this year. “It will have an added impact on projects,” he says.
