Infrastructure
Develop
Growth in unavoidable for us. Orange County's population grows by an estimated 1% per year currently, and that growth forces development. Mayor Demings has led many successful development initiatives in this regard, perhaps some of the most impactful being I-4 Ultimate and International Drive transit lanes. I plan on giving our infrastructure the continued attention it will always continue to need, and working with internal agencies and contractors to develop the right solution to every problem, while remembering to consider the world we live in as well as the people we serve.
Drive
We also need to make better use of the systems already in place. I will champion causes that reduce the need for development where possible, such as extending SunRail operation to nights and weekends to help alleviate some of the county's most bustling metro areas at some of the most opportune times.
Diversify
While we can't avoid developing our roadways and cities to accommodate growth, we can always keep in mind alternative transportation. The more people that can get where they need to go without a vehicle, the more open the roads are, and the cleaner the air around us. Projects that we tackle need to keep this principle in mind from the very beginning. Adding more paths to facilitate walking and cycling where possible will make the county feel less dense, even as we continue to welcome new neighbors to our communities.