Winter Park’s long-planned effort to fix one of its most congested intersections is now officially moving forward, and that means a major change for a local arts landmark.

“This area is part of our Community Redevelopment Agency,” Knight said. “Back in the mid-90s, part of that CRA plan was to eventually acquire this property along here. It took us 25-plus years to get here.”

Officials say the project focuses on correcting traffic backups caused by the current intersection design.

“People that want to make a left turn off of Fairbanks to Denning…if they’re not there at the time of the left turn signal, they back up 50% of the traffic flow because the cars behind them have to wait,” Knight said.

But the city says traffic isn’t the only reason for the property purchase. The land will also give Winter Park room to improve flood mitigation in the area and build a future public park, two key elements Knight outlined in his broader vision for the site.

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