What does Orlando’s Mercy Drive/W.D. Judge Road area have in common with Central Florida’s pristine Wekiva River ? The health of both depend on preserving a wooded wetland on W.D. Judge Road that is being torn apart to make way for Princeton Oaks – a 1-million-square-foot warehouse complex. What many people don’t realize is that the wooded area (shown in the accompanying photo) is the starting point for the Little Wekiva River – one of the main sources for the environmentally sensitive Wekiva River. Houses opposite construction site Even though the 120-plus acre parcel on W.D. Judge Road is covered by a state law – the Wekiva Parkway and Protection Act – the Orlando City Commission voted unanimously to allow the developer to move forward with the Princeton Oaks project. The site is in Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill’s district. When Dr. W. Jones asked Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer why the city allowed the massive project to be built in her neighborhood, she ...

Malibu Groves strutted its stuff on Friday. Malibu Groves ribbon cutting Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and City Commissioner Regina Hill came to the west Orlando neighborhood Friday morning to cut the ribbon and officially reopen Malibu Groves Park at the quiet, dead-end of Olivia Street. For the first time since 1993 the park was overhauled with brand new play equipment at a cost of nearly $200,000. Both Dyer and Hill said they consider the park to be an important asset to the community, which is near Ivey Lane. The handful of long-time residents who attended the ceremony beamed with pride and reminisced what it was like back in the 1960s when they moved in and bought their own homes. Some are even discussing the possibility of holding a Malibu Groves reunion. Click here to see the ribbon cutting and hear from the residents at the ceremony. Click here for more news.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and City Commissioner Regina Hill are scheduled to cut the ribbon Friday morning to officially reopen Malibu Groves Park. Work crew finishing up at park The park, tucked at the end of Olivia Street, had been closed for a $200,000 makeover. This was the first makeover for the park that was originally constructed in 1993. Designed for children between the ages of 2 and 5, the park offers a peaceful, safe and fun oasis at the end of the quiet residential street. The makeover included a seesaw, swings, a slide, benches and play areas. The ribbon cutting is set for 10:30 a.m. Friday. For more 32805 news, click here