Project Overview

The U.S. Hwy. 192 BeautiVacation Project is a major public/private initiative that is changing the tourist corridors image, resulting in a more tourist friendly and economically viable area. Since the U.S. Hwy. 192 corridor comprises almost 50 percent of Osceola Countys tax base, the economic health of Osceola County is directly linked to its success.

The U.S. Hwy. 192 BeautiVacation Project is being funded by private property owners through a Municipal Service Benefit Unit MSBU.

The U.S. Hwy. 192 Redevelopment Project will enhance the attractiveness of the corridor which faces ever increasing competition for business. Stately Washingtonian palms line the roadway, framing the view as one travels along the road. Combined with other features such as unique signs, custom lighting, transit shelters, benches, trash receptacles and other street furniture, the area will add to the pleasant experience of both visitors and local residents alike. In the long run, this will result in a stronger tourism market and enhanced property values.

Safety for pedestrians, transit riders, cyclists and motorists will be dramatically improved with the addition of 10 foot wide sidewalks on both sides of U.S. Hwy. 192.

History about the West 192 BeautiVacation Project:
Approximately 17 years ago, a task force was created by the West 192 Resort Area Council of the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce known today as ORAC - Osceola Resort Area Council. This task force was charged with creating a plan that would beautify our tourist corridor - U.S. Hwy. 192.

At the very first meeting, discussion was held about another Chamber project that happened in downtown Kissimmee 18 years earlier. This project was funded through a special taxing district. After many meetings it was decided that the only way to beautify the tourist corridor was through a similar taxing district.

You can imagine how popular this task force was when it reported to the Board of Directors that a plan had been created, but property owners would have to tax themselves in order to fund this project.

Randy Larson, President, Holiday Inn Kissimmee Downtown, put this into perspective when he told the group not to look at this as a tax, but as a marketing plan, and without this marketing plan, the area would not survive the competition of the new roadways that were then on the drawing board.

This was the beginning. From there the project needed funds to have a concept created. It was just about grant time for the Osceola County Tourist Development Council TDC, and a grant was prepared and $5,000 was awarded for this plan to be created. The original concept included U.S. 192 from the western end at the county line to the eastern end at Nova Road east of St. Cloud.

The Osceola County Board of County Commissioners BCC made the committee do their homework. The BCC wanted to be sure that this project was what the industry wanted, and they also needed to be convinced that these property owners were willing to pay for this multi-million dollar project.

The project that you see today has been expanded from the original conceptual plan, which was basically beautification, to one that includes, but is not limited to, safety, transportation and redevelopment. This plan has been created through the combined efforts of consultant and design teams, which have been led by John Rinehart, Rick Conant and Shaughnessy Hart. The project is the largest public/private partnership of its kind that has been undertaken by the county. The partners are the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners, the Kissimmee-St. Cloud Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Florida Department of Transportation.

Over the past six years there have been numerous public hearings and town hall meetings to obtain input from all interested parties. Throughout all of these meetings, this project has met with very little opposition, even as the taxpayers projections of the tax were mailed.

Details About the Project:

Phase I: Which is completed and valued at $4.3 million, includes 344 Washingtonian Palms and 12 pairs of 25 -foot tall guidemarkers. The guidemarkers were the beginning of the marketing plan for the resort area. These guidemarkers have become an important part of the project; they serve as destination markers throughout the corridor and are unique to our community.

Phase II: Estimated value of $25 million. Phase II components include roadway landscaping and irrigation, 10-foot wide sidewalks on both sides of the road and enhanced intersections with crosswalks. Additionally, transit stops and shelters to accommodate intermodel transportation systems, site furniture at transit stops and spaced rest areas, vehicular and pedestrian informational and directional signage, and roadway and pedestrian lighting to increase safety and visibility are included.

Phase II is divided into three segments:

1. S.R. 535 to I-4
2. I-4 to Black Lake Road
3. C. S.R. 535 to Hoagland Blvd. scheduled to begin at the end of 2003

The improvements in these segments are being done in conjunction with the Florida Department of Transportations road widening projects.

Marketing and communication have been two key elements of this project and are most important during construction. Guidemarker maps are currently available to businesses along U.S. Hwy. 192. The maps list businesses located in the district by category and indicate to which guidemarker they are closest. Guidemarker map posters and tabletop displays highlighting the projects features were also made available to businesses. Logo slicks of the guidemarker numbers are available for property owners to use on their printed materials. A newsletter has been used to communicate the projects progress and upcoming meetings.