Universal Orlando Resort Advances Vision For Transportation In Central Florida

This special district would help pay to improve public infrastructure, including the Sunshine Corridor ­— a commuter rail line that would expand SunRail to connect Central Florida communities to the Orlando International Airport and the Orange County Convention Center.

The article cites the commissioners learned more about the plan during an August board meeting. John Sprouls, executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Universal Destinations & Experiences, shared details “pledging 13 acres of land to the district – at no cost to taxpayers – to be used for a SunRail station at the Convention Center, supporting the operation and maintenance of the station also at no cost to Orange County taxpayers, and providing an estimated $125 million in capital investment through private activity bonds backed by Universal Orlando.”

The article also featured a statement from Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings about the opportunity the Sunshine Corridor has in creating a multimodal transit system for the region. “There is great promise in having connectivity between the airport and I-Drive and beyond,” Demings said at the commission meeting.

With the vote to approve this district, we will be one step closer to creating a transportation system that better connects and benefits our community.