INCLUDING METROWEST, PALMA VISTA, VISTA ROYALE, ABINGDON HILL, BARDMOOR, ST ANDREWS, AND THE NEW UNCOMPLETED VERANDA PARK
If you are purchasing a home or considering moving to this area, this is information you may like to know.
What was once a premiere, planned community in the heart of the tourist corridor is fast becoming a Pine Hills and Orlo Vista of the West side.
Damaged Entrance to Metrowest on Hiawassee Rd.
Metrowest was once the home to doctors, lawyers, business owners, celebrities, and sports stars. The much sought after address has become the prey of greedy businesses, unscrupulous developers, and money driven interests.
How did this all happen? Let’s take a look. It became apparent a couple of years ago when the new development of Veranda Park came to town. Everyone was optimistic and many put deposits on speculative property hoping to capitalize on the exclusive Metrowest address. With the hopes of increased tax revenues, the City of Orlando became partners with this private developer, allowing them to gain control of the Master Association.
It is unclear why the names of Metrowest and their communities needed to be changed. Maybe it was the negativism of the rising crime rate, or the overdevelopment of the area with high-density condos, or the relocation of the Pine Hills Walmart to the entrance on Kirkman Rd. You can be assured it wasn’t at the request of the homeowners. Several large senseless projects were taken on, orchestrated by the Master Association at the expense of the Homeowners Association being passed on to the homeowners. Dues were dramatically increased to “FUND” the changes.
THE CHANGES
A cheap looking fountain was erected at a crossroads of three neighborhoods with a new name, "The Isles".
Where did this come from and what is the purpose?
An asphalt intersection was painted to look like fake bricks.
What did this cost and what are it's advantages? It's a city road and a very busy intersection. I'm sure the city is not going to maintain it this way. Maybe the developer owns a paving company. Custom work like this has to be very profitable.
Let's not stop at the intersection. Let's do the whole circle!
Let the homeowners keep up a city road. Sure doesn't make financial sense to me, unless of course you own a paving company.
THE TREES
Large Oak trees used to be permanent structures, staying in place for sometimes hundreds of years. Not so anymore with the invention of modern construction equipment. After over 15 year of surviving hurricanes, it's time to uproot these massive trees and move them several feet and replant them. I wonder what this cost?
I know there was a problem with cars failing to stop at the circle and driving through the thick manicured grass leaving tire tracks. That's a great idea! Let's put a tree right in the path so we can find the car in the morning. It took less than six months for the first car to hit the tree.
I hope no one was killed in that one. I already see the lawyers salivating over the first one that does. Intentionally putting a tree in the path where cars are known to drive through. It could be worth Millions.
RODEO DRIVE
The original developers had tremendous insight in the creation of the entrance to these exclusive communities. A manicured grass median with a double row of palm trees which over the past 10 years had grown to 60-80' tall. It was a drive that could rival the infamous Rodeo Drive.
What could go wrong with all of these trees at once that would require them all to be removed, only to be replaced with a barren rose garden.
I guess it does make sense when you discover the cost to replace just one of these trees. It was a painstaking process to remove them in one piece, keeping the root system intact. Obviously there wasn't anything wrong with the trees or they would have cut them up to move them.It has become readily apparent that the trees were sold, probably to some new developer to grace the entry way of a new subdivision. What happened to the thousands of dollars from the sale of these trees? I know the company that moved them made a fortune. I wonder who owns that company? I thought stealing was against the law. I guess it depends on who you are.
JUST LIKE VERANDA PARK - THIS SITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION - IT JUST WON'T TAKE YEARS TO COMPLETE. ALTHOUGH I'M SURE THE SAGA WILL GO ON OVER TIME.
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LAST UPDATE 02/09/07
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