Universal Parks and Resorts and Wendover Housing Reveal First Look at The Theme Park’s Affordable Housing Complex

Orlando Sentinel reported, Universal Parks & Resorts and Wendover Housing Partners have revealed a first look at the theme park’s affordable housing community, a 1,000-unit mixed-income development with on-site tuition-free preschool and medical care, 16,000 square feet of retail space, fitness trails and a transportation hub for buses, ridesharing and employer shuttles.

What’s Happening:

  • The plan for the community, named Catchlight Crossings, was submitted to the Orange County Planning and Development department Monday.
  • Wendover Housing Partners, selected to develop and manage the community, said the plan unveils “a new vision” for affordable housing.
  • Wendover, based in Altamonte Springs, already manages several affordable-housing projects in Central Florida.
  • The plan for Catchlight Crossings also calls for community event space, technology cafés, a makerspace for hobbies and classes, a fitness center, community gardens, a neighborhood food pantry, a game room, a playground, two resort-style swimming pools and a grilling gazebo.
  • In December 2019, Universal announced it would dedicate 20 acres of land for the affordable housing project on the eve of a crucial — and ultimately successful — vote by Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and county commissioners to grant the park $125 million from a special taxing district. The money was slated to help extend Kirkman Road through 750 acres owned by Universal.
  • The company is using the land for Epic Universe, its third theme park in Central Florida, expected to open in summer 2025.
  • Universal said the timing of the announcement was a coincidence. The company formed a not-for-profit entity to ensure the land remains dedicated to affordable housing.

What They’re Saying:

  • John Sprouls, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Universal Parks & Resorts:
    • “Our vision has been to bring an innovative, new approach to solving our community’s affordable housing crisis,”
    • “This is about creating a community that will put residents first — a place that inspires them and that they will be proud to call home.”
  • Jonathan Wolf, Wendover’s founder and CEO:
    • “We hope to serve as a model for how private employers, local governments and developers can work together to address socioeconomic issues in the communities where we live and work,”
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