Earlier this month, we discussed the news out of Lake County, Florida, regarding plans to develop lots of rural land (citrus groves) in that part of of Central Florida and the current strategic corridors that Lake County already has in place. 

Florida has a lot of strategic corridors - Lake County isn't reinventing the wheel here. In fact, from a real estate investment and development perspective, Florida is fast becoming a spider web of corridors each with their own incentives and advantages - and a sign that Florida is fighting to win back its economic strength.

Consider these Florida corridors that land planners and real estate developers must coordinate with and consider in their work, all new or just getting going in 2012:

1.  The Florida Wildlife Corridor

From its website:  "The Florida Wildlife Corridor aims to protect and restore connected landscapes throughout the Florida Peninsula to create a viable corridor from the Everglades to Georgia. The corridor addresses the fragmentation of natural landscapes and watersheds from the Everglades ecosystem north. Contributing to the fragmentation problem is the disconnect between the perceptions of Floridians, and the real need to keep natural systems connected. The Florida Wildlife Corridor is positioned to mend the perception gap through an education and awareness campaign that demonstrates the connection between the landscapes and watersheds. If we show Floridians the panthers, bears, native cultures, ranchlands and rivers and how they are all connected, then they can help us make the Florida Wildlife Corridor a reality."

Sponsors include Disney; National Geographic; Everglades Foundation; Patagonia; and many more (see the online list of sponsors and partners here). 

2.  Florida's High Tech Corridor

From their website:  "The Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) is a regional economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF) whose mission is to grow high tech industry and innovation in the region through research, workforce and marketing partnerships.

"The Florida High Tech Corridor Council’s numerous entrepreneurial initiatives support small businesses and growing companies alike. Growing companies can apply for specific business help through GrowFL, a statewide initiative that provides just-in-time technical assistance for second-stage companies. Using tools like the Florida Virtual Entrepreneur Center, visitors can find the resources they need to start, expand or relocate a business. Even the university and community-based incubators aim to nurture start-up companies to grow into stable enterprises that contribute to the local and regional economy."

3.  Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor

From their website:  "The Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority (NFTCA) continues in our mission to improve mobility, to enhance traveler safety, to provide for hurricane evacuation routes, and to promote economic development in the northwest Florida region. We are currently updating our Master Plan which is expected to continue to progress through Fall of 2012. To learn more about the plan update and view upcoming public involvement opportunities, please visit the Master Plan page and the Calendar of Events."

4.  The South Florida East Coast Corridor

From their website:  "The South Florida East Coast Corridor (SFECC) Study proposes reintroducing passenger service along an 85-mile stretch of the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railway corridor between downtown Miami and Jupiter. Such service will connect the hearts of 28 densely-populated municipalities in eastern Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. It will improve north-south mobility, encourage stronger east-west connections, promote redevelopment and revitalization, and enhance freight movement.

"Reinstating passenger service in the FEC corridor will provide an efficient option to driving on congested streets and highways and a much-needed integrated transportation link essential for smart growth management, sustainability and a vital economy.

"This corridor will serve as the spine of a regional intermodal network, connecting to the existing bus systems and rail transit systems including both Tri-Rail and Metrorail. It will also integrate with the various transit systems including the new Miami Trolley, the proposed Wave in downtown Fort Lauderdale and the proposed Central Broward East-West Connection. It links to the three major airports, Miami International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International and Palm Beach International; the four regional airports within the tri-county area; and to the region's seaports, PortMiami, Port Everglades and Port of Palm Beach.

"Benefits of this study include expanded freight capacity; reliable travel time savings; improved service for the transit dependent population; enhanced intermodal connectivity for riders; improvements in land use; sustainability; more job opportunities; and an enhanced quality of life for South Florida's current and future residents and visitors."

5.  Future Corridors Program

As we discussed last month, the Future Corridors Program has a goal of creating a statewide transportation corridor system and it's looking to outside, third party experts to interview folk like those at the various Water Management Districts for their input.  Not everyone is pleased with this approach, of course.

Below, an image of the watercolor map of the proposed Florida Wildlife Corridor: