Avalon Park Sun Orlando 25 Year Anniversary

KEEPING THE NEWS LOCAL.... AND THE COMMUNITY CONNECTED. 2022

25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

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25 Years: A Reflection and Future Vision An Interview with Avalon Park Founder and Developer Beat Kahli

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Precisely 25 years ago this December, marked the beginning of something special for Avalon Park Group. The official groundbreaking of the entrance bridge to Avalon Park Orlando kicked off an adventure of building a town where the mission was established to create a place where everyone can find a place to belong in a community where they could live, learn, work and play. Over the past 25 years, we have seen buildings built, families creating traditions, friendships being forged, and neighbors meeting neighbors and becoming so much more than just neighbors. I had the opportunity to speak with my mentor, the Founder and Developer of Avalon Park, Beat Kahli. Here is what he told me about the past 25 years in our flagship development, Avalon Park Orlando, and what Avalon Park Group can expect in the next 25 years and beyond.

Stephanie Lerret:

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COMMUNITY UPDATES

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The agreement left Avalon Park as an 1,860-acre development, which includes, 240 acres of wetlands, 400 acres of upland preserve, 250 acres of man-made lakes, walking/biking trails. Approximately 1% of the plans included 3,400 single-family units, 1,431 multi-family units and approximately half a million square feet of commercial space, remains to be developed today.

Stephanie: I have often heard you tell the story of a bridge loan to build “The Bridge” from Alafaya Trail into Avalon Park. Can you elaborate on that monumental event which provided the official start to Avalon Park Orlando?

Beat:

It has now been exactly 25 years since the construction We had a dream to build a town where all people, of Avalon Park started in the last quarter of 1997. generations, races, and social economics could live, Can you tell our readers more? learn, work, and play. And because being a pioneer is rarely easy, it was hard to find money for the Beat Kahli: development of Avalon Park at first. So while the Traditional Neighborhood Design “TND” design In 1989, we purchased 9,400 acres of land in East principals that were planned made sense in preOrlando, called the Altman Ranch. For generations war development, urban sprawl had become the the land, which stretched all the way from present- new norm of development and none of the national day Wedgefield, was used for farming and hunting. homebuilders wanted to participate and none of the The entire 9,400 acres (10 times the size of the Orlando banks wanted to take the risk of lending us money. downtown area) was zoned for development and had plans that called for a town of almost 100,000 I was on “my knees” going around to the banks in residents, millions of square feet of retail and office Orlando. Finally, I found a bank, who at the time space, 3 golf courses and more, and was considered had just expanded from Alabama to Orlando. one of the largest planned developments in America The bank was willing to lend money for a bridge. on the drawing board at the time.

The bridge would cross a small tributary of the Econlockhatchee River and be at the beginning of However, listening to the community, we realized Avalon Park Boulevard. In banking terms, a bridge that building such a project would have been a loan, means a short-term loan, to bridge a financial tremendous challenge for the environment and gap. For Avalon Park it meant the money to build public infrastructure. So, through a series of land a true bridge, and construction of it started exactly sales to the St. Johns Water Management District 25 years ago, just before the holidays in 1997. For by our development partnership, an agreement the loan, the bank got a mortgage on all the land, was made to create the Hal Scott Preserve Park in the full personal guarantees of my wife, Jill and I, lieu of commercial real estate development on 8,900 and more as collateral. That loan has long since been acres of the original acreage zoned to be Avalon paid back. Often, when I drive over that bridge, I Park. Maybe in another generation when most of think about what would have happened if I would the land between Tampa and Daytona Beach will not have gotten that “bridge loan.” be developed, people may be proud of our own “Central Park” (the Hall Scott Preserve Park), 10 Cont... times larger than its Flagship in New York City.

25 YEARS Stephanie:

A component of a great community is high property values for all.

With APG as the largest owner of real estate in Avalon Park and Avalon Park was the most successful master planned community in many other business interests in the community, the alignment Central Florida several years in a row (2003/04/05/06). The land is evident. Cutting corners hurts APG economically more than was at the end of a 2-lane road, next to a power plant and landfill. anybody else.

Not quite the location one would think to build a town. Why do you think Avalon Park has been so successful?

Stephanie: Beat:

When you talk to Avalon Park Families, and ask them what made them move to Avalon Park, I hear many reasons, the small-town I agree! No question the location was not the classical great location. feeling, the events, the architecture and more, however the great However, the dream was strong enough, timing was excellent and schools seem to be for many the most important reason they moved most important the team who shared my dream, with key people to Avalon Park. Avalon Park has the best public schools in Central like yourself, with tremendous hard work, passion and dedication Florida, can you explain the background of our schools? made the journey successful for all stakeholders.

Beat:

From 100 cows to thousands of neighbors...

Stephanie:

Before we broke ground, more than 25 years ago, I did not have any kids of my own. In order to find out what would make realtors support Avalon Park, I asked them during a focus group to tell us what we could do to make Avalon Park their community of choice for home buyers. The overwhelming response was: SCHOOLS, GREAT SCHOOLS, NEW SCHOOLS, SCHOOLS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY. I was more prepared to get requests, such as a large water park, a golf course (which was approved for Avalon Park, but we decided to build a downtown instead), etc. But great schools were what all the realtors told us would make their clients move to Avalon Park.

The marching order was clear, however the first meeting with the Orange County School Board was rather “sobering.” We were told that maybe in about 10 years could we build schools in Avalon Park.

However, a dialogue started quickly, and we found out that when the government and the private sector truly work together, amazing results can be achieved. The 7 schools in and around Avalon Park were all built as Public Private Partnerships and always with the goal to have the best schools in Central Florida. Out of the 7, four were built and financed by APG. In the others, APG either donated the land or built infrastructure, such the Timber Creek High School football stadium and the band’s marching field and more. The plan worked! Our community consistently boasts all A schools! And on top of that 2 have achieved Blue Ribbon status, meaning among the top 300 best schools in America. To this day, I consider that this is maybe the single most important reason for the success of Avalon Park.

Having grown up in Kansas and loving the small-town concept from the beginning, it always fills me with a sense of pride when I Stephanie: see how people go through life starting with pre-K, going through the great public A schools, starting a family, and living all stages Do you remember your first homeowner association meeting? of their life in Avalon Park. I often get asked, what is the secret behind the success of Avalon Park? Why was it, from a classical real estate point of view an inferior location at the edge of town, by far Beat: the fastest selling community at the time of building?

I do, and funny enough, more than 50% of all households were Beat: present. (Meaning about 30, when around 50 homes were built).

Today, we are lucky if out of the more than 4,000 households 4 It needs a team; it needs passionate people like you Stephanie. You people show up to our monthly HOA meetings. can have all the money in the world, a world-class planner, top engineers and more, but in the end you have to create a PLACE. Challenges were quite different a quarter century ago. Concerns A PLACE where people feel a strong sense of BELONGING and included things like controlling the wild boar population, deer eating SAFETY. You need to be connected with the residents, at events, the flowers in the yards of residents, and nails from construction of the schools, restaurants. You need to live, learn work and play with homes were causing flat tires. your constituents, and you need to align with them, and with the community at large.

We were able to dialogue one-on-one with each homeowner and one of them asked me to explain what live, learn, work, and play APG owns the majority of Downtown Avalon Park. The typical meant. Well, I explained that probably the best way to describe it developer buys land, pursues entitlement, plans, engineers and is if you do not want to leave Avalon Park, you do not have to. builds infrastructure, such as roads, sewer/water lines, drainage You can satisfy all of your daily needs of you and your family systems, amenities and more. After that, the land gets sold in parcels without having to leave the community. At the time of the first piece by piece to home builders, commercial builders, residential meeting there were only a few homes and the downtown had not builders, and others. And then the developer is gone, often with a started yet, so my explanation included the future development. handsome profit in good times and sometimes broke in a recession. I explained that there would be schools for all ages, jobs, stores However, for the classical developer the investment is at its largest for all needs, restaurants, doctor offices, events and more. It was in the early phases of development, where they are buying land hard to believe with 50 homes in the middle of nowhere at the time and building infrastructure. After that, the classical developer sells (1999). Sometimes today a resident tells me “I have not left Avalon off their investments, makes a profit and is out of the picture. APG Park at all for 3 months...” In other words: Mission Accomplished! on the other hand has a different business concept. Today APG has Homes, town homes and apartments for all ages and price ranges, its highest investment in the community since starting construction a grocery store, drug store, 28 restaurants, schools with 10,000 25 years ago. APG and affiliates own buildings and land in Avalon student stations, awesome events and on, and on and on. In short, a Park valued in the 3-digit millions. complete town, where you can live, learn work and play.

Having an investment of this size aligns with all stakeholders. APG has the same interest as a parent, a homeowner, or a retailer: a great community with outstanding schools, well-kept common areas and amenities, good traffic solutions and more.

Cont...

25 YEARS Stephanie: If you could go back 25 years, what would you do differently?

Beat:

it is you, Ross, Marybel, Mari, Cynthia, JJ, Trey, and Eric supported

by Nicole, Patty, Alba, Zoralis, Jan, Eric, Michelle, Kenzie, Marielle, Alex, Nery, Matt and the maintenance team, Yelinska, Jessica, Carlos and Kim. Of course, we have procedures, rules and regulations to follow. However, I believe what we do as a development company and the building of the town of Avalon Park, could not have been done by a “classical” company. I am very thankful for the awesome team. From Founders Hall to the Clock Tower building, to the 3680 Avalon Blvd Building and now on the 4th floor of the Avalon Innovation Center, we have moved 4 times. All of those moves were within 100 yards of each other over a quarter century, but most important we stuck together in great and challenging times. And when asked about the secret of success it is just that! As you know, our mission is to change the way the world lives, learns, works and plays, and I believe that starts with the passion and drive our team shows every day in building towns.

Good question, but not much. We would likely allocate more land for the downtown, (and we are doing this in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel and Avalon Park Daytona). As well we would engage the government more, at last the largest economical benefactor of us building the town of Avalon Park is Orange County. Today the economic value of Avalon Park for Orange County exceeds $1 Billion. From just a parcel of land used for hunting and farming, to now millions in property taxes going to the County every year, jobs created, and sales tax on top of it. And because Avalon Park residents can satisfy their daily needs “internally” as a traffic engineer would say, the burden on roads, the environment et all is reduced, compared to a “standard” community, with only homes, Stephanie: and the need to get in the car for everything else.

With just 1% left to go in the development, I would say that you The team and I feel really privileged to have learned a lot and we have successfully built a town over the last 25 years. What can we are now able to use our experiences in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, expect in Avalon Park over the next 25 years?

Daytona, Tavares and in our entrepreneurial undertakings around the globe.

Beat: Stephanie:

While there is just 1% of vacant land left in Avalon Park Orlando left to build on, you will see a significant amount of important As a member of the APG senior management team, I am aware of development on that remaining piece. In line with the original the many lines of business of APG and the global footprint that we master plan that has been in place for the past 25 years, you will see have with on every continent of the world. I’m often asked who is us breaking ground very soon on additional senior living housing, on the Board of Avalon Park Group. We know you that you are the a boutique hotel, large pool and additional commercial uses. Once Founder and CEO, along with a team of senior managers, but who complete it may be time to start some redevelopment on some of are the Board of Directors? the first buildings, as well as continue to support the management of commercial property and programming in the Downtown. We Beat: will also focus on replicating the successes of this community across our other central Florida developments in Wesley Chapel, Tavares APG does not have the classical Board of Directors. You know that and Daytona Beach.

It Started with a “Bridge Loan” that Actually Financed the Construction of a Bridge Submitted By: Shannon Marks

would delay the opening of the school. Recognizing the positives of having a new high school open to serve the future residents of Avalon Park, Beat came up with a “win-win” solution to construct A little over 25 years ago I recall gathering for a loan committee the extension of Avalon Park Blvd. to the school, providing access meeting of a local bank and one of the loans presented for approval to the residents in the area. that day struck me as being “out of the norm”. The request was for $1,250,000 to finance the construction of a bridge at the entrance to Little did I know nearly 25 years ago this would be the beginning an 1,860-acre tract of land that would eventually be called “Avalon of an incredible relationship and friendship with Beat; one in Park”. My colleague, Joe Lambert, who was presenting the loan which I and the banks I worked for would have the privilege of request faced a barrage of challenging concerns and questions: partnering with him and his Avalon Park team to finance a variety of projects, including a ready mix concrete plant, the initial phase of “This property is way out on Alafaya Trail, almost to the power development in a large master-planned community north of Tampa plant!” and “Why would anyone want to live that far out?” that is known today as Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, and most recently, the construction of an apartment complex on one of the “So you’re telling us the developer of this project, Beat Kahli, is from last remaining parcels in Avalon Park Orlando as this community Switzerland and he has no experience in developing real estate in nears completion. It has truly been a pleasure to see Beat’s vision Orlando, let alone a project of this size?” of Avalon Park come to fruition and to play a small part in the 25year journey from an entrance bridge to a vibrant community that Joe patiently answered the questions and what started to become several thousand residents have chosen as their home. clear was that he believed in Mr. Kahli and that Beat had a vision for this project, together with a well-thought-out plan to bring his vision to fruition. So, with a leap of faith and an admonition to Joe, “this better work out!” we approved the bridge loan that actually financed the construction of a bridge.

Approximately a year and a half later, Joe chose another employment opportunity, and I was assigned to the Avalon lending relationship.

By this time, the first phase of the Avalon Park development was well underway and as we bounced through the roughly graded terrain in Beat’s non-four-wheel drive sedan I quickly realized the size and scope of the project was most impressive. As the first homes were built and the feel of the Traditional Neighborhood Development emerged with Founder’s Square, I saw Beat’s vision being realized and knew Avalon Park was truly going to be a unique and special community.

One of my first impressions of Beat was his ability to think outside of the box to solve problems. I recall an example shortly after I met him as he thought of a creative solution to provide the roadway needed to access the new Timber Creek High School that was under construction. While the school construction was progressing as planned, the connecting road to the school had not been started and

25 YEARS

1989

1998

2000-2001

2005

2007

Avalon Park Orlando Purchased

First House Sold

Clock Tower Built (2000), Avalon Elementary School Opened (2000) & Timber Creek High School Opened (2001)

Tanja King Park Built, Wells Fargo/ Sage Dental & South Village Community Center Built

Avalon Center for Academic Excellence Opened, Suntrust/ Dental Office Built, Town Park Built & CVS Opened

1997

Groundbreaking of Entry Bridge

1999

First Home Owners Moved In & Founder’s Hall Built

2002-2004

Town Center I Built (2002), Primrose School Opened (2003), Professional Center (2003) & Publix and Gas Station (2004)

2006

Stone Lakes Elementary School Opened, Avalon Middle School Opened & Town Center II Built

25 YEARS

2009-2011

2014

2020-2021

Future

Keith A. Ewing Medical Office Built (2009), & Live/Work Units Built (2009)

Encore at Avalon Park Built, Alafaya Trail Widening & Town Center III Built

Avalon Innovation Center Opened & Phase 2 Live/Work Units Built

Flagpole Lot Future Development - 2023 and Beyond

2008 Trustco Building Built, Fairwinds Built, Avalon Church Built, Shoppes and Offices at Avalon Park Built, Avalon Church Opened & Avalon Office Ventures Built

2012-2013 Creative World Opened (2013)

2015-2019

Avalon Park Pavilion Built (2017), Pinecrest Avalon Elementary Opened (2018), Innovation Way Connection Built & Kids R Kids Opened (2020)

2022

Town Center IV Built & Avalon Arts and Culture Center Opened

LIVE Back to the Beginning: My Story

By: John Alexandrou, Avalon Real- in person then faxed to the listing ty Group agent who in turn would print them and hand delivered to sellers for From That to This!! As I think back their signatures. Counter offers iniover my 20 years as a realtor or bro- tialed, faxed back and forth until neker, working with clients and the gotiations where completed. Somereal estate business has changed times our contracts would be almost so much. I’ve enjoyed some of the unreadable. Often it would take 3-4 changes and others, not so much. days to finalize a sale. There was When I opened Avalon Realty so much more face to face interGroup in 2003 the most important action. I think it’s been 4-5 years piece of high-flying technology was since I’ve handwritten an offer. The a good fax machine. Remember fax- documentation required in a real es? Now you can’t even give them estate transaction is significantly away! easier with the advent of Digital signatures. In the past I would drive my clients to view neighborhoods but now, the street view on Google maps is used to check out communities. Prospective clients rarely interview me now, they just check out my online reviews.

Back then, each morning the MLS would fax us all new listings. I would look through them for my clients, go view each home, then call my clients, describe the home, and if necessary, schedule an appointment for us to see the home. There were little or no online resources for Buyers. Everything was printed, either in Weekend Paper or Homes for sale magazines. As a listing agent, we would host “Broker’s Opens,” encouraging local area agent to view the home for themselves and for their clients. Not anymore! As internet bandwidth and speed increased, everything we need is online such as quality photos, videos, and instant access to mountains for information.

builder’s model home, we would stand in line hoping our name would be called. The joy people’s faces were palatable when their name was called. Like so many others, we suffered tremendous loss during the financial crisis and its eventual collapse. My own home, bought in 2007, returned to its original purchase price in 2021. So many of us experienced the extraordinary increase in home prices during Covid driven by a severe local and national housing shortage, and ultra-low interest rates.

In closing, I’m beyond grateful to have been a real estate broker in Avalon Park for 19 years, the second longest operating business in here.

The journey from then to now has been enjoyable, difficult, fun, challenging, and yet the best part of all During the 19 years I’ve owned are the friends we’ve made and the Avalon Realty Group I’ve experi- clients we’ve served over the years. enced the highs and lowest of the Thank You!!

Real Estate market. I’ve watch Avalon grow from a small community “tucked away at the end of Alafaya Trail” a thriving community were “Live, Learn, Work, and Play” has become a reality. This is a photo of the sign was used to promote our New Year celebration, held in Founder’s Square.

First New Year’s Eve Event Sign in 2003 When my client wanted to submit an offer, we would meet in person. Experiencing the crazy housing Offers were all handwritten, signed boom of 2004-2006 where, in the

John Alexandrou - Broker/Owner since 2003 | Avalon Realty Group: 3925 Peppervine Dr., Orlando, FL 32828 407-312-3928 | AvalonRealty@gmail.com

LIVE (Cont.)

3rd Generation of Living in Avalon Park We are 3rd generation deep living here now, and 2nd generation deep of growing up here…

The things we love the most about living, learning, working & playing in Avalon (since 2002) are: The hundreds of acres of nature, parks, creeks & green space within the community in addition to the thousands of acres of preserve it abuts, the true “small-town feel” we get when we visit any part of the town center by day or night-it’s always nice to see familiar faces, the public and private school choices- all being the best in their category for many miles, the fact that the developer and team are still here developing- not only finishing up the town center, but cultural development with the new Arts Center & continuously adding new unique community events for all to participate in, while developing further and deeper relationships with community members and partners which, in turn, will take the home, business & building values to record new heights, yet again…to name a few…

Here’s to 25 years of the “original” Avalon Park, and to 25 more being even better than the last!

Philip & Gisele Kolbrich, Alex & Isabel

A Strong Sense of Gemütlichkeit Submitted By: Brenda Kolbrich My family and I have had the true pleasure of living in Avalon Park for twenty-one years. Avalon really lives up to it’s motto of live, learn, work and play.

The well designed and very functional layout of Avalon Park lends itself to a true community, The numerous festivals and resident gatherings gives Avalon Park a strong sense of gemütlichkeit!

music she has today.

As a residential and commercial realtor for over twenty years I could write a book! I have helped hundreds of families with their real estate needs here. And I have brought several businesses into Avalon and have enjoyed watching them grow and contribute to the thriving downtown of Avalon.

My long-time involvement with the HOA, Rotary, the YMCA and churches have kept me happily My son Philip has his business Top Florida Homes busy and contributing to our great community.

Realty located in downtown Avalon. He, his wife Now I am blessed with seeing my grandchildren Gisele and their two children all live, learn and work grow up in Avalon Park. in Avalon. My daughter Julianna has attended all the schools here from Primrose, Avalon Middle up I look forward to hopefully having an active seniors to Timbercreek High School. The music and drama component to Avalon Park so I can continue to live programs at Timber Creek have helped shape her here. as an individual and guided her into the career in

LEARN

Happy Anniversary Avalon Park!

I Will Always Consider You My Home

Submitted By: Pastor Dale Brooks

In 2004, my wife and I purchased a home in Avalon Park so that we could more effectively build and grow a house of worship in this wonderful community. We will always have a deep sense of gratitude to Beat Kahli and the Avalon Park Group for recognizing that in addition to schools, restaurants, parks, homes and businesses, Avalon Park would also need a place for its residences to worship. In 2005, we began working together to see

this dream become a reality and after many obstacles and delays, in 2008, the community held its first worship service in a brand-new facility. Located next door to Avalon Elementary, and across the street from Tanja King Park, this building and the people who gather there have been a beacon of light and a source of spiritual connection for over 14 years. Thank you, Avalon Park, for your support and partnership! There is no other place on the planet I’d rather Live, Learn, Work, and Play (and worship) than Avalon Park!

Watching Someone’s Dream and Vision Come True

Submitted By: Pamela Sanders

When I first came to Avalon in 2000 to plan and then open Avalon Elementary School I met with Beat Kahli. We both exchanged our visions for our new endeavors. I explained my philosophy for a school of excellence. He talked about building a town where people could live, work and play.

Both of us where very animated and excited about our projects.

As I pulled out of Avalon I saw a few model homes, a small deli where you could get breakfast or lunch and also buy a newspaper, milk and bread. There was some housing construction and dirt roads to the school construction site. I could see my tasks as very doable. Buy furniture and books for the building. Hire a staff. Write curriculum and set the expectations for helping every students become successful.

ridor began to develop. The cow pastures changed and became new subdivisions. Avalon Park proper continued to grow. With in a few years of opening our elementary school went from 400 students to 1,500 students. Two new schools were opened to relieve our over crowding. So many people wanted to move to Avalon that at one point there were lotteries held to buy a house. People didn’t care which model; they just wanted to live in Avalon.

As I drive into Avalon today I fondly remember the joy I had watching this town grow from it’s very humble beginnings. It still amazes me that one man with a vision built everything I see for miles in every direction in twenty five years. How did the beautiful parks, homes, apartments, condominiums, store, churches, restaurants and recreational facilities, and events just spring to life? How could one person lead a team to accomplish a wonderful environment that thousands enjoy everyday as they live, work and play in Avalon.

But how could my new friend build an entire city. He was eager and appeared to have the energy of ten men. l treasure the friendship Beat Kahli and I started the first day we met and still continue today . I am so proud of my Over the years I had the great privilege of watching my friend and proud of this beautiful community so many friends dream and vision come true. I watched roads be- now call home. Twenty Five years later Beat is still here ing paved. More and more houses were built and a few in Avalon today. He has surrounded himself with a large store fronts opened. Then Avalon Park Blvd was built highly developed staff who make life for everyone here and extended all the way to Colonial (highway 50). As better.

Avalon Park continued to grow the Avalon Park Blvd cor-

WORK

A Letter from Julie at JK Creative Dear Beat and the Avalon Park Group,

ended up saving my business, because if I had still been up North I would have faced the same issues and without the As I sit and reflect on things I’m Thankful for this year, I felt award I’m not sure I could have turned things around. compelled to send a little note your way...

As the last couple years have gone by I have settled into an In 2019, my husband and I decided to leave Maryland and re- amazing life here. I wake up in a house I love surrounded by locate to the Orlando area when a job opportunity popped up. great neighbors and friends. Many days I take a walk around We didn’t know anyone here or honestly much about Orlando the neighborhood enjoying the outdoors before I make my (other than the fact we loved Disney World). When we took quick commute to downtown Avalon. I work in a beautiful ofa trip to explore areas to consider moving to, we instantly fell fice surrounded by plenty of opportunities to grab great meal in love with Avalon Park. We noticed people out walking and or run a quick errand. It’s usually a guarantee I will run into biking, kids playing, neighbors talking to each other. (That many friendly faces throughout my day as well. There are so just didn’t seem to be the norm where we lived before.) We many events throughout the year where my husband and I noticed the nice amenities and cute downtown area filled with can walk downtown to shop local vendors, soak up entertainsmall businesses. While initially we thought we wanted to be ment, and even see fireworks. We really are living, working, as close to the theme parks as possible, we decided the whole and playing in this community and we feel so lucky that we point of leaving the North East was for a better pace of life. So, found this place. It is the perfect balance of a relaxed small we decided to purchase a home in South Village and made the town but is still so accessible to opportunities in the rest of move to start our new chapter.

Orlando and beyond.

While my husband had a new job to start, I being an entrepreneur, balanced getting our personal life settled and figuring out moving my company to a new state. I had planned on really hitting the ground running in the beginning of 2020, getting out, and networking in this new city. But we all know what happened at the beginning of 2020. The Pandemic caused many businesses to struggle and mine unfortunately was one of them. The emails started flooding in with messages of cancelled projects and contracts until my project schedule halted to zero jobs coming in. While surviving on pandemic resources from the government that were quickly running out, I questioned if I could even turn things around and thought this might be the end of my company. But then there was a small glimmer of hope: The Avalon Innovation Awards. I applied and presented JK Creative though a few rounds of pitches to eventually find out that I had received one of the top prizes including cash, services, and an office in a new coworking space.

It was at this moment life truly turned around. I went from thinking about having to shut down my business to starting on an amazing path of growth.

So, I just wanted to say thank you for creating this place that we now call home. And thank you for giving back with the Avalon Innovation Awards during a tough time for many. I hope you truly realize what you did for me and many others.

You didn’t just help my business survive during the pandemic, but now I can say we are truly thriving. I can’t wait to see where the next few years will lead!

Julie Kostic Avalon Park Resident 5th Floor Member Founder of JK Creative, Ever Ella, and theorlandodinks.com

I moved into my office at the 5th Floor, and started connecting with amazing people in this little town. A connection here would lead to another one there, and soon I was meeting and working with many other businesses across East Orlando, and many connections even quickly turned into friends. The grant helped support growth for JK Creative such as bringing on a new employee, getting new tech and processes in place, purchasing new equipment, and paying for organization memberships and education. This has led to a snowball effect of gaining new business and achieving milestones like winning awards, being published, and even recently competing on a reality TV show for entrepreneurs. I truly think moving here

Avalon Park Cleaners Jayesh and Meena Khatri opened Avalon Park Cleaners in the Clock Tower building in 2001 as the first business in downtown Avalon Park. They are still operating today out of a different location in the Publix Shopping Center.

Original Location

Current Location

Current Location

WORK (Cont.)

A Letter from Jeff Fuqua, Amick Construction and Long-Time Chairman of the Orlando International Airport

Dear Beat,

site contractor until the completion of all the infrastructure for the project.

Congratulations on the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of your outstanding Avalon Park Orlando community! I am pleased and honored to have been invited early on by you to play a role in its creation, so thank you for that. I am also happy to offer a few words about participating in the project along the way.

You were, in those days, a curious and hands-on developer so you would frequently visit the areas of the project under construction. As mentioned, at times the site was quite wet, and the areas recently filled with dirt quite loosely compacted resulting in you becoming mired in the mud in your automobile. Fortunately, help was usually readily available as there were numerous pieces of heavy equipment available to drag the automobile to safety.

Uniquely among private developers, you started the project beginning with raw, undeveloped land and have managed the development of the project through to its essential completion. Throughout, you have been involved in the community, have developed and maintained an interest in the Avalon Park downtown and overseen the completion of the master plan, creating along the way a remarkable community.

I recently had the privilege of touring a group of City officials, from a city in which Avalon Park Group was contemplating a development, through Avalon Park Orlando. One senior official remarked “I would like to have a home in the Avalon Park development in our community,” quite a compliment, I would say.

In the beginning what was to become Avalon Park Orlando was quite different. The future Avalon Park was somewhat remote from downtown Orlando and was part of an 8,000-acre parcel on both sides of the Econlockhatchee River, of rather low elevation and tending to be rather wet during the summer rains.

As to remoteness, on my first visit to the property it felt like I was heading to Cocoa Beach. Fortunately for me as a site contractor the project was much closer than that and your vision was much stronger than mine. I was selected to start in unit 2 of the project and thankfully stayed on as

Early in the project special care was needed to keep the construction equipment from becoming stuck as well. At one point it was necessary to build a path using quite a large quantity of hay bales to navigate the equipment to a particular job site in Avalon. Something we had failed to price into the job!

On another occasion, very early in development, workers were quite excited about sighting several tiny baby alligators on a portion of the site.

They were less excited when someone remarked that “mom” could not be far away!

Riding through Avalon Park Orlando today, it is difficult to envision the description of the early days during when it was under construction. It is today, a vibrant mixed-use community which has been created with respect and care for its unique location alongside its environmentally sensitive neighbors, the Econlockhatchee River and the Hall Scott Preserve. That is indeed quite an accomplishment!

Best wishes, Jeffry B Fuqua President, Amick Construction, Inc.

A Dream Fulfilled with a Brain and Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Facility in Avalon Park Submitted By: Donna Marini When I look back over the years, I remember Christmas of 2003 as being one of the best Christmases I’ve ever had. I was invited out to a Christmas event in Avalon Park, Avalon Aglow, and that is when I fell in love with this community. While I was there looking around, I was so impressed. I had been looking for a place this beautiful that would help me open a transitional living facility for people with spinal cord injuries, like myself. The facility I went through when I got hurt was forced to close, and so people had nowhere to go to learn how to care for themselves and live independently.

I had been struggling to find a place for a long time, and Avalon Park seemed like the perfect place for it. I came back out the next

day to meet with Beat. He was the nicest man and understood my vision to bring a place where those with brain and spinal injuries could rehabilitate in an environment that would not only give them independence but thrive. I couldn’t believe that he agreed to help me fulfill my dream by making this a reality in Avalon Park. I was so excited because I had been looking for years to get this done but had not found the right partners. But Beat and his then CFO, Keith Ewing, were able to help make my dream come true. I can now proudly say we now have the best facility you could ask for, right here in beautiful Avalon Park. And I am so happy that many others with brain and spinal cord injuries will have the opportunity to rehabilitate in a community where they can also live, learn, work and play!

PLAY

Growing Up with the Community Spirit of Avalon Park

By: Ashley Neumeister

That said, the irony is not lost on me that we never felt isolated when Spring 2020. As I biked around Avalon Park, the streets seemed simultaneously, we spent much of the last two years doing just only too quiet. When I think back now at memories of pedaling that—isolating ourselves from each other, even if it’s for the health down those roads, bags of fabric masks we’d sewn for donation and safety of our friends and family. Even with all that, though, as tucked into my bike basket, I think about how much Avalon Park I biked down the empty streets with mask donations in tow, it felt has come together before the pandemic, during the pandemic, and like we were only closer to each other. The volunteering spirit—the even more now. ability to do good as a community, for our community—has run strong through our memories of Avalon Park, and I can only hope Avalon Park has never failed to make us feel like part of a community. we can continue with that spirit going forward.

In winter 2003, the Avalon Park Sun, known at that time as the East Orange Sun, posted an article about the second annual Gingerbread House Party we threw at our old house. Following Hurricane Katrina, I remember how the neighborhood hosted our own Mardi Gras to raise money for disaster recovery efforts. In 2014, my family received the Merry-N-Bright award for Best Use of Lights, and we felt touched that we made our neighbors’ day with our Christmas decorations. Those combined with the We [heart] Avalon with the elementary school students of my class, the neighborhood events that bring everyone together like Spooktacular, Oktoberfest, Avalon Aglow, and the Easter Egg Hunt (which gave me the opportunity to volunteer as the Easter Bunny one year), we’ve never felt isolated, like a house merely surrounded by other houses.

From the Desk of Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero

I am happy to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Avalon Park! Since the founding of this community, Avalon has grown considerably. Encompassing nearly 12,000 residents according to the 2020 census, Avalon Park has advanced to become a local destination for dining, family activities and even the arts. It is hard to imagine that just 25 years ago, Avalon was just an idea.

Now, this community has become an example of diversity and inclusion for all of Central Florida. With easy to access to schools, services and jobs, it has truly become one of the best places to live in in Orange County. I am proud and blessed to continue representing it on the Orange County Board of County Commissioners.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, my door is always open. If you would like to receive my newsletter or contact my office, you can email me at district4@ocfl.net or call at 407-836-5881.

Happy Holidays to you and your families!

Blessings, Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero

PLAY (Cont.)

How Our Family Lives, Learns, Works & Plays in Avalon

Submitted By: Melissa Mercer Novotny and the Novotny Since winning the award I have had time to focus on Family things like mission, branding and growth. EVO-MED has expanded our presence in the US and opened markets When it comes to Orlando, our family is about as local as in 3 new countries, with entry into two others slated for they come. My husband and I were both born and raised 2023. We have partnered with the Avalon Park Group, here, and my siblings and I were born at the hospital just Our Legacy, and Donate Life Florida to raise community 10 miles from where we live now. We, like our parents, awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation. We’ve grew up here when there was nothing but cow fields and worked together on multiple events including Absolutely orange groves and yes, those stories are true. As our city Avalon’s first annual Avalon Park Donate Life Pinwheel developed, our family continued to inch further and fur- Garden, honoring the 230 Central Florida donor heroes ther East. that gave the ultimate Gift of Life in 2021. I have made contacts, learned invaluable lessons, and created lasting LIVE friendships with other Entrepreneur Fund Award winWe moved to the Avalon Park area just shy of 13 years ners, business owners, and Members of the 5th floor. ago. Since then, we have raised two amazing children, and recently welcomed our first grandson who also lives PLAY in the area. My mother-in-law has called Encore at Ava- Like many of you, we have spent long hours on the fields lon Park Assisted Living and Memory Care Community at Tanja King Park and at the stadium, theater, and gym at her home for the past five years, and my parents live just Timber Creek. Our kids have done karate at Championa few miles away. With five generations centered around ship Martial Arts and played countless seasons of school my grandparents, and all of us living within a 20-mile ra- and YMCA sports. Our daughter cheered over a decade dius, family events can get a little crowded. We have had for the Pop Warner Avalon Wolves and Timber Creek holiday parties, a baby shower, a 50th anniversary, and High School cheer team (GO WOLVES!!!) They won sevfirst birthday at the Avalon Community Room and cele- eral Regional and State titles and even a National Chambrated my cousins wedding in the Ballroom at The Pavil- pionship. Our son is completing his 8th year of scouting, ion at Avalon Park. advancing from Tiger Scout in first grade to crossing over to BSA Troop 173 where he’s earned the ranks of Scout, LEARN Tenderfoot, Second and First Class. He is currently workEducation and top-notch schools are one of the biggest ing on his Star rank and looks forward to following in his draws to the Avalon Park area. Our children and grand- troop’s rich tradition of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. child have locally attended and graduated from nursery, We play at the many community festivals and events and preschool, elementary, middle and high school. As a fam- eat, drink, and watch live music and sports at restaurants ily we have attended seminars at Encore regarding de- like Eastside Bistro, The Marketplace, and Bowigens Beer mentia and senior care, as well as a number of charitable Company. and educational events on The 5th Floor. Our family has enjoyed learning and spending time together in our com- It is with the deepest of gratitude that our family would munity through volunteering and doing acts of service. like to thank Beat Kahli and the entire hard-working team Avalon offers limitless opportunities for citizens and fam- at the Avalon Park Group, for their dedication, investilies to volunteer. Service is encouraged and nurtured ment, and commitment to our community in both good from a young age with organizations like K-Kids, Honors and bad economic times. We would also like to wish the Society and Scouts and carried over into adulthood with people of Avalon Park and its surrounding area’s a Very civic organizations like Rotary Club and Kiwanis. Some Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Let’s all give of our best memories with our children have been watch- thanks and celebrate our blessings this season by donating them discover the value of volunteering and learning ing and volunteering to help others. the joy of giving by helping others.

WORK I opened my company Evolution Medical Technologies (EVO-MED) in 2011. We are a small woman owned business, that provides biomedical implants to hospitals and surgeons throughout the United States and overseas. In early 2020 at the height of the pandemic, the Avalon Park group announced it had created the Entrepreneur Fund to support and empower local entrepreneurs and business owners in the rapidly changing business climate. EVOMED was fortunate enough to be chosen as one of the top five 2020 Innovator Award Recipients, which included a generous personalized award package and office space at The 5th Floor in the brand-new Avalon Park Innovation Center, located in the heart of downtown Avalon. This award offered my company the chance to reset, refresh, and reengage at a time of great uncertainty not only in my industry, but across the world. In early 2021 I opened a local office at The 5th Floor, a stunning and modern pro-working environment comprised of various sized offices, meeting rooms and versatile coworking spaces.

This space was thoughtfully designed to foster community, collaboration, and growth in entrepreneurship. Not to mention, WOW what a view!

COMMUNITY CORNER

Over 17 Years of Ongoing Commitment Rotary Arrives in East Orlando In 2003 a vision began with several key stakeholders, and amazing support from other local Rotarians to form what is now called the Rotary Club of Avalon Park (RCoAP). “We proposed the idea to have our own Rotary club around the year of 2004,” stated Dom Caprani, founding member and past president. “There were about four of us who collectively rolled up our sleeves and created a new club.” And so it began….

In February of 2006, the Rotary Club of Avalon Park was officially founded and consisted of six members. “I look back in awe of what we did,” said Tom Beanland, founding member and past president.

“We pressed hard, hosted community events and grew by wordof-mouth. Here we are 17 years later talking about the history and standing at around 40 members – truly impressive.”

RCoAp was instrumental in founding the Interact Club at Timber Creek High School and the Rotaract Club at the University of Central Florida. Also worth mentioning is the support the club has provided to many great organizations over the years including United Cerebral Palsy (UCF chapter), The Mustard Seed, YMCA of Avalon Park, Alzheimer’s Association, Yellow Brick Road, Ronald McDonald House, Miracle League of Central Florida, 2nd Harvest Food Bank, Relay For Life, Toys For Tots, and countless others along the way.

Signature Events RCoAP is also known for its signature events. These events help raise money for local charities and provide scholarships to students.

A few events you may recognize: Craft Beer Festivals, Holiday and Spring Wine Walks, Poker Tournaments, Community Campouts, Community Involvement and Pancake Breakfasts for Seniors and Veterans. “Our signature The RCoAP’s earmark in our community is hands-down their events not only generate awareness, but they help boost funding commitment to service. To date, the club has planned and execut- for programs in need,” said Jim McQueeney, past president. “We ed more than 500 service projects including Free Little Libraries, are excited to bring all of these in-person events to Avalon Park and painting schools, enhancing neighborhoods, replacing storm drain encourage community participation.” Past events include a Classic plaques, backpack drives for children, cleaning ponds, aiding sup- Car Show, the Little Miss Avalon Pageant and Award Show, and plies during inclement weather situations, maintaining the Veter- Dunk Tanks at various community events. an’s Memorial Garden and much more. “We have our ears to the ground and our hearts in-tune with the needs of others,” stated cur- International Involvement rent president, Jean Zambrano. “There is a lot of strategic planning RCoAP also supports international projects. In 2021, the club raised going on behind the scenes that no one else can see. It is truly in- funds in support of a water well project for a school in Haiti. The spiring to conceptualize a need and watch it come to life.” funds raised helped purchase new solar panels for street lights, water distribution and to empower the tutoring and mentoring proFor the past two years, each week, the RCoAP has delivered do- gram. “The electrical upgrade also helped ensure that the children nated Publix baked goods to the Samaritan Resource Center and are not reading in the dark,” stated Zambrano, “Which aligned with to Word on The Street (WOTS) “Imagine feeding 80 people each the literacy pillar for Rotary International.” Past projects provided week for 52 weeks,” said past president, Greg Meunier “Which is support to Bolivia (cleft palate surgeries), Colombia (mosquito netan overwhelming number 8,320 people being served (in the two ting to help prevent transmissible diseases), and India (water wells) year time period).” plus several educational projects focusing on literacy.

Community Awareness In addition to service, Rotary supports education and information.

At its weekly meetings, the club presents speakers and programs on important issues of the day. Speakers have included former Orange County Commissioner Jennifer Thompson, TCHS Principal Kelly Paduano, Tim McKinney (United Global Outreach), Pastor Skip Fegnfish (WOTS), and well-respected business and civic leaders.

A Welcoming Atmosphere The culture of RCoAP is very unpretentious and welcoming to everyone. “At Rotary, we understand that cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to realizing our vision where people unite and take action to create lasting change,” said Zambrano. “We value diversity and celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds, and we strive to create an inclusive culture where each person knows they are valued and belong.

“Throughout the pandemic, we had to make a lot of changes to keep our club going,” said Bill Umansky, president (2019-20). “We prospered because of the level of commitment in the club and also our desire to serve others.” One especially memorable moment took place in the spring of 2020 when the club decided to cook for and serve essential workers at hospitals, fire houses, police stations and other areas where professions were unable to shelter in place.

Another unique concept Umansky rolled out was video blogging their milestones. “We shot one video, shared it and just like that, the concept took off and we were recognized by other Rotary clubs.”

The videos provided storytelling and much needed entertainment while people sheltered at home. The “vlogging” ignited more interest in the club, drove members and helped elevate general awareness for the Rotary brand.

But, is it fun? Several years ago the club added this line to the end of the Rotary “Four Way Test”. Umansky added, “I encourage everyone to enjoy the moment, take everything in, laugh, I am pleased that we say this and that our club adheres to it.”

For a club who began nearly two decades ago, their efforts have been boundless and impressive. The strong Rotary brand, backed by well-respected leaders and executed by a committed member base has set the bar for success for years to come.

Interested in getting involved with Rotary? They meet every Wednesday at 7:30 am at the Avalon Park Community Center (POA Building), 13401 Tanja King Blvd. To keep up to date with RCoAP activities, follow us on Facebook.

COMMMUNITY (Cont.)

Avalon Park Pickleball

Pickleball is growing fast. Basketball star LeBron James is also a pickleball player and just bought a pickleball team. Pro golfer Jordan Spieth and former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo plan to play in an exhibition pickleball tournament this month. There have been recent articles about the explosive growth of pickleball in the Washington Post and NY Times. It is very fun to play, very social, and a little addictive too. We want to grow the game in Avalon Park.

Beverly lives in Village 3 with her daughter Debbie and Chuck Schandel. She loves to gamble and to watch Avalon Park pickleball tournaments. At our last tournament we had fun playing blackjack. Beverly plans to make it to 100 years old and I am sure she will.

Debbie and Chuck celebrated Debbie’s October birthday at Skydive Key West by doing a tandem jump from 10,000 feet with a 40 second freefall over the turquoise waters of Key West!”

“One of the oldest residents in Avalon Park, Beverly Middleton, loves the Avalon Park lifestyle and celebrated Submitted by Ed Lynt her 98th birthday October 1st with some new wheels!

“In a big night for Avalon Park Middle School Pickleball, Avalon Park Middle School student Elliana Harvey and retired Avalon Park Middle School Coach Linda Kroog won the 20th Avalon Park Pickleball Tournament 6-1!

Their only loss was to the duo of Elliana’s grandmother Sheila Harvey and Linda’s husband Ken Kroog, who are celebrating their 75th birthdays this month. Sheila made a ‘75’ decoration out of wine corks for the occasion. Sheila and Ken, our oldest players, posed with our youngest players, Elliana and 9-year-old Zev Salamon, before the games. A large crowd of spectators enjoyed a free festive evening of great pickleball, pizza, and a 20th Tournament cake from Publix topped with a pickleball.

Pickleball is exploding in popularity. A recent video on the CNBC YouTube site described how pickleball is “Taking Over America”. A Celebrity Pickleball match called ‘Pickled’ with Will Ferrel, Emma Watson, Sugar Ray Leonard and others aired on CBS Thursday, November 17.

Billionaire Mark Cuban just bought a Vibe pro pickleball team.

Come watch Avalon Park residents Debbie Schandel and Ed Lynt compete in the Hertz Orlando Pickleball Championship with over 1,000 other amateurs and pros at USTA Lake Nona Dec.1-4. Grounds pass tickets are $25 and available at pickleballtournaments.com Search ‘Orlando’ in the top right corner where it says Search Future Tours, find the Hertz tournament, click on View

Details, and then Grounds pass, and then the Hertz tournament again. Sunday is the best day to go to watch all the pro finals and when Debbie and Ed play. You’ll also be able to watch the tournament on the PPA Tour YouTube and Facebook pages, and the Tennis Channel all 4 days. You will see many people from Avalon Park Pickleball in the stands.

Here in Avalon Park, you can bring a chair and a beverage and come to the courts at 4033 Cleary Way in South Village and watch our free tournaments the 1st Friday of every month at 7pm. Support local pickleball.”

COMMMUNITY (Cont.)

Avalon Through the Years

Town Center I Under Construction - 2002

Avalon Park Cafe - 2005

4th of July Bike Parade - 2005

Avalon Jubilee - 2006

Arabian Nights - 2007

Avalon Aglow Parade - 2008

Dog Park Renovations - 2009

Elementary School Abroad Trips

Calm After the Storm - 2011

Encore Ground Breaking 2013

20th Anniversary of Avalon Park - 2018

20th Anniversary I Heart Avalon - 2018

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