On Wednesday, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, delivered the 2012 State of the City Address at the Medical City in Lake Nona.
Dyer told the gathering of elected officials, community leaders and businesses owners, among others that, the state of Orlando remains strong and that with continued partnership and collaboration, “there is no doubt the next decade will belong to Orlando.”
It’s the first time a State of the City address was delivered outside the Council Chambers, downtown Orlando. Dyer said, like Disney, a half century ago, the Medical City, once completed, will change Orlando for the better – forever.
Dyer highlighted the several research and training facilities associated with the Medical City, including, UCF College of Medicine, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, UF Acamedic and Research Center, Nemours Children’s Hospital and the VA Medical Center.
“Once all these facilities are open, the Medical City will create more than 30,000 jobs and have a 10-year economic impact of nearly 8 billion dollars,” he said. “This one-of-a-kind cluster of clinics, classrooms and laboratories will revolutionize America’s healthcare landscape and our local economy.”
Dyer underscored the role that partnerships and collaboration had played in fueling the Medical City, noting that a similar model had been followed in the case of SunRail, the creation of the Amway Center and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Dyer praised the “hard work” and “fiscal discipline” of his City Commissioners and throughout recognized each by name – Commissioners Lynum, Stuart, Ings, Ortiz and Sheehan. Conspiciously, Commissioner Phil Diamond (District 1), running for Mayor of Orlando in the upcoming April 3 election, was overlooked.
There won’t be any tax increases in the coming year because of the fiscal prudence of the city, he said.
The mayor also paid tribute to the “hard-working police officers” who work to keep the community safe and “serve our community in ways that go far beyond what they do in uniform.” Orlando’s Firefighters, who “pound the pavement to provide home safety inspections, install smoke detectors and even give CPR training,” were also recognized.
“Because of all of you, we can proudly declare that the state of Orlando remains strong,” Dyer concluded. “If we continue to work together, there is no doubt the next decade will belong to Orlando!”
