William “Benj” Hurt, Jr.






My background
Central Florida Happenings
Public versus Private
Miscellaneous government nuggets
Coast to Coast
War Stories




Born in Orlando, attended locals schools and went to
Florida State and majored in real estate.
Went straight to work for the Florida Department of
Transportation as a Right-of-Way Specialist 1 Appraiser
Worked my way into a Senior Appraiser (Review
Appraiser) position and worked for FDOT for 6 and ½
years
Took a Review Appraiser position with Orange County
government in 1990 and held various supervisory and
management positions for 24 years until 4 months ago
when I “retired” and went to work for GAI Consultants.





Orlando City Lions – soccer is world’s most popular
sport
3.2 billion people saw some of the 2010 World Cup,
270 million people play worldwide. 7,500 season tickets
sold for 2015 season which begins in Spring 2015
Mills Avenue is hot! from Virginia Avenue to Lee Road.
Destination retail, restaurants, shopping commanding
strong rental. Addition of Fresh Market and Trader Joes
with more coming
Land is selling again especially in South Florida and
along I-4 corridor.
Homebuilders are showing up in core areas
Entitled apartment land is selling, small retail is strong
and big box development is slow



Port Canaveral has completed major study and has
vision going forward with new terminal for cruise lines,
developing land to optimize the cargo/container
business, adding a recreation and entertainment
complex with hotel, restaurants, retail and a public
waterfront area
The Import Export business is Florida’s biggest industry
at $166 billion dollars compared to $89 billion dollars
for tourism
SUNRAIL is up and running with 12 stations complete
between Sandlake Road and Debary, with the extension
to Deland on schedule for a 2016/2017 completion




Project Manager versus Manager
Make money versus spend money
Getting work versus the work comes to you
Private Employees versus public servants







Public Involvement in right-of-way projects
Evolution of Orange County Roadway
Conceptual Analysis (RCA)
Timing can hurt public perception
Take advantage of counties eminent domain
ordinances early in the process
Work with right of way agents
The Trouble With our Highways
Selling your house?


Video http://vimeo.com/107843959
Facts from Article




Ted Hastings - birthday
Bill Mateer – welcome to eminent domain
Oval Boone – a little pop
Judge Joe Baker – old Orlando