Good morning, Orlando. It’s Wednesday and Juneteenth. Looks like we'll start the day with some morning showers, but we should see some sunshine peeking through this afternoon. Expect a high of around 86 degrees. Here’s what’s on deck:

• Orlando set to finally get its own passport agency

• Another major student housing project proposed near UCF

Let’s dive in.

GOVERNMENT

Florida’s Second Passport Agency Set to Open in Orlando

What's happening: Passport services are about to get a whole lot easier for Central Florida residents. On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Orlando, announced that a new agency is set to open in Orlando.

Why it matters: Currently, residents are forced to make the 235-mile trek to Miami for urgent passport needs. While Orlando has 25 passport counters, they only accept applications, which are then sent to Miami for processing, often resulting in a six to eight-week wait. The new agency will be a game-changer for last-minute travel needs, with quicker processing and immediate issue resolution.

Major Advantages:

• The new passport agency will handle urgent family situations and last-minute travel needs directly.

• Residents will receive quick resolutions for issues with ID documents or background checks.

• The agency will save residents hours of travel and the costs associated with overnight accommodations.

Next steps: The U.S. General Services Administration will decide on the location within a year. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep Maxwell Frost is turning to city leaders for their recommendations on potential sites.

The bottom line: Securing approval for a new passport agency is challenging and often takes years. Frost emphasized the extensive effort required to secure the necessary federal funding.

Quote: "We’re really happy we got this," Frost said. "This is something that a lot of times can take years, if not decades, to win in your area, but we had a good case for it."

Read more here (Orlando Sentinel)

HOUSING

Another Major Student Housing Project Proposed Near UCF

The Big Picture: Castle Lanterra, a developer from Suffern, NY, is proposing a significant new student housing project near UCF. They intend to add 638 beds to the University Corporate Center I site, transforming part of the property into an off-campus community.

Key Points:

• Location & Acquisition: The property at 3501 Quadrangle Blvd. was purchased in 2022 for $24.65 million.

• Development Plan: The existing office building stays, while a 5-story student housing complex rises on the northern parking lot, featuring 169 units ranging from one to six bedrooms (587 to 1,855 square feet).

• Amenities & Parking: Plans include a 2,000-square-foot pool, a covered outdoor area, and a new garage with 591 residential and 92 office parking spaces.

Why It Matters: UCF's enrollment hit 69,320 in Fall 2023, almost doubling since 2003. With the demand for student housing at an all-time high, Orlando leads Florida in off-campus housing developments, primarily around UCF.

Other Projects in the Pipeline:

• Tramell Webb Partners: Proposing 896 beds on 20.4 acres near Lake Ruth, converting office entitlements into student housing.

• Trinitas Ventures: Nearing completion of a 750-bed project at 4742 Data Ct.

• American Campus Communities: Approved for 898 beds at 4050 Turbine Dr., including 3,000 square feet of commercial space

• Brent Little: Proposing a 605-bed project at 2820 N Alafaya Trl. about a mile south of UCF.

• Progressive Capital Group: Planning to replace the Golden Corral at 11731 E Colonial Dr. with a 556-bed student housing development.

The Bottom Line: With UCF's growth, the need for quality student housing is skyrocketing. Castle Lanterra’s project, along with others in the area, aims to meet this demand.

Read more here (Orlando Sentinel)

QUICK HITS

In Other News…

1. Orlando area schools are making moves to restrict AI tools for students.

2. Chicago chain Portillo’s, famous for its hotdogs, is set to open its third Orlando location at the Waterford Lakes Town Center.

3. UCF’s AD Terry Mohajir has been forking out $1M+ guarantees to secure non-conference football games as the Knights have transitioned to the Big 12 conference.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s edition of the newsletter. See you back here tomorrow.

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