Earlier this year, The Walt Disney Company announced they would be earmarking nearly 80 acres of land for a new affordable housing development. Today, The Disney Parks Blog has shared some more details on the project.
- The new development will be located west of State Road 429, just a few miles away from the Magic Kingdom, near schools and shopping, including Flamingo Crossings Town Center.
- The development is expected to include more than 1,300 units.
- Disney has chosen The Michaels Organization, a prominent and visionary developer known for creating high-quality homes in communities in many states, to build, own and operate the property.
- The development is expected to be privately financed and limited to applicants within a certain income range.
- Disney says they chose The Michaels Organization for “its long-standing track record in building and managing attainable housing communities.”
- The new development will support and build upon Orange County’s Housing for All action plan to address housing affordability for local residents.
What they’re saying:
- Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort: “For more than 50 years, Walt Disney World has cared for and invested in our community, and we’re committed to being a part of this solution which will bring more attainable housing to Central Florida. We will continue to find ways to use our resources to make a difference in the community we call home, and we’re excited to take this step with a nationally recognized developer.”
- Michaels CEO John J. O’Donnell: “We are excited to work with an iconic brand like Disney to deliver attainable housing for the Central Florida community. Our goal is to create a repeatable model that we hope will inspire other companies and municipalities to create high quality, attainable housing in their own communities.”