Fwd: [BULK] Re: Wall Exposure Behind New 7-Eleven in Orlando, Florida
Andrew Nash
From: Graeme Whelan <gwh...@menemshasolutions.com>Subject: RE: [BULK] Re: Wall Exposure Behind New 7-Eleven in Orlando, FloridaDate: January 10, 2013 11:53:35 AM ESTTo: Donn Carr <do...@carrmg.com>Cc: Angela Abrusci <a.ab...@gmail.com>, DOUGLAS METZGER <douglas...@cityoforlando.net>, Jim Carey <jca...@menemshasolutions.com>, Andrew Nash <and...@apeware.com>, Loui Skenderis <sken...@hotmail.com>, Traci Hagan <Tracii...@msn.com>, Robert Beatty <rbe...@menemshasolutions.com>, "Zent, Peter" <Peter...@lendlease.com>, "Edwards, Tony" <Tony.E...@7-11.com>, "Distel, Grant" <Grant....@7-11.com>, Ben <b...@pecflorida.com>Hi Mr. Carr,7-11 Have requested an onsite meeting late next week to discuss your concerns. The meeting would be held on site at 605 W Colonial Dr around the 17th final time TBA.Please send me a list of who will be attending and who they represent.Thank youGraeme Whelan
Field Project Manager | Construction Services
Los Angeles | Boston
C 310.363.5216
gwh...@menemshasolutions.com
www.menemshasolutions.comThis e-mail message may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient(s), or the agent or employee responsible for delivery of this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify the sender and delete this email message from your computer.
From: Donn Carr [mailto:do...@carrmg.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 2:05 PM
To: Graeme Whelan
Cc: Angela Abrusci; DOUGLAS METZGER; Jim Carey; Andrew Nash; Loui Skenderis; Traci Hagan; Robert Beatty; Zent, Peter; Edwards, Tony
Subject: [BULK] Re: Wall Exposure Behind New 7-Eleven in Orlando, Florida
Importance: LowGraeme,Thank you for your willingness to have a candid and open conversation regarding your new building. That act alone reassures us that 7-11 wants to be a good neighbor and relieves some of the negative feelings that have been up-swelling considerably for the past few months.We all realize that the greatest threats to our safety, our families and quality of life come from the businesses that occupy Colonial Drive. We don't want that to include 7-11.With WaWa now entering our community, presenting a clear competition for our dollars, now is the time to act on your behalf. WaWa has been doing the right thing from the onset by reaching out to the community at large, asking us what we wanted/needed and our concerns in advance of construction.Consider how that contrasts highly to what occurred in this situation where a building was placed backwards on the site so the first thing we see is the back of your store. No street appeal, nothing inviting, no sense of quality or community pride. This was not a good first impression and it was acknowledged by all. Many took it personally as an affront to College Park as this would have never been allowed to occur in Winter Park. We can't change the configuration but we can soften the image and impact.We all want the store to be a success. It is important for everyone. None of us will visit your franchise store, only a few blocks away at Westmoreland, as every visit for gas includes being asked for sex, drugs, thugs or panhandlers who when you say no become belligerent and we fear for our safety. Going into the building is out of the question.That environment is not wanted for your new building and would only exasperates the existing issues of the vagrant and oftentimes dangerous parolee clientele that reside directly across the street from you as you have already seen firsthand today.Thank you for you securing the wooden fence to at the least, provide for us a temporary solution to the fence issue. I trust that the city will expedite the permitting process as they too are now involved and understand the graveness and sense of urgency that this be resolved and have the wherewithal to make that happen.It need not drag out weeks on end, this is a very straight forward issue.I trust also that the issue regarding modifying the retention area landscape medium to a more hostile variety is also gaining support and quick resolution by the city or whoever is dragging their feet on this issue. The LED lighting you are installing on the fence will help, but will not resolve the issue of vagrants or fugitives using it to hide from view.As I mentioned, we took several photos of persons lying in the recess from numbers of angles. The result was as we feared; persons can lie down in that recessed area and not be seen from either of three streets nor from your building and its very limited camera presence. We must take a proactive approach.This is a great opportunity for 7-11 to reach out to the community it hopes to serve (north of Colonial) and create a positive newsworthy story that all can get behind. Our community is well knitted and communicates with its neighbors. Our neighborhood association is one of the oldest in the city and is recognized as one of the most organized and influential in Orange County. Our newsletter blast alone reach over 3,000 people. Potential customers you want. We want to be a partner with you in your success.We are looking forward to meeting soon with senior members of 7-11 and discuss how we can begin this partnership for the common good of our communities both business and residential. We all have the same goals and we all have the same exposures and risks. You are considerably more at risk as one significant incident and all marketing dollars and branding efforts are immediately invalidated and you will be viewed as unsafe, something no one wants.With our support, we can gather round you to support you should that occur and we have media support on our side to help.Again Graeme, welcome to the neighborhood. We wish you success and look forward to taking this discussion to the next level soon.Warmest regards,Donn Carr
Carr Management Group
Principal Partner, President
Specializing in Enhancing the Retail / Shopping Center Experience
Do...@carrmg.com
(904) 329-5812On Jan 8, 2013, at 12:23 PM, Graeme Whelan <gwh...@menemshasolutions.com> wrote:Hi Donn,Thank you for taking my call today.As I stated in our conversation 7-11 met with the City regarding your areas of concern and the City gave direction on fencing and additional lighting at the retention area. 7-11 Architects are currently producing permitting documents to carry out the City’s requests.I will forward your request for an onsite meeting with 7-11 to hear your continuing concerns.Thank youGraeme Whelan
Field Project Manager | Construction Services
Los Angeles | Boston
C 310.363.5216
gwh...@menemshasolutions.com
www.menemshasolutions.com<imageb4...@c72a7620.9ba04af1>
This e-mail message may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient(s), or the agent or employee responsible for delivery of this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify the sender and delete this email message from your computer.
From: Zent, Peter [mailto:Peter.Zent@lendlease.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 10:43 AM
To: Donn Carr
Cc: Angela Abrusci; DOUGLAS METZGER; Jim Carey; Graeme Whelan; Andrew Nash; Loui Skenderis; Traci Hagan
Subject: [BULK] Re: Wall Exposure Behind New 7-Eleven in Orlando, Florida
Importance: LowHi DonPlease contact (310) 363-5216 for Graeme
On Jan 8, 2013, at 9:28 AM, "Donn Carr" <do...@carrmg.com> wrote:Thanks Angela,I am in the country this week and working from home and can be available throughout most of the day with only a few exceptions.Peter - I would love to meet with you as well to involve you in what the College Park South Association is doing. It could benefit both of us and a meeting with Graeme is a great starting point in developing a relationship between our business neighbors and the community they serve. We both have common issues that together we can make a significant difference setting College Park up as a model of business/community partnership.I will look forward to hearing from you or a representative today to discuss a meeting time.Warmest regards,Donn Carr
Carr Management Group
Principal Partner, President
Specializing in Enhancing the Retail / Shopping Center Experience
Do...@carrmg.com
(904) 329-5812http://carrmg.com/
<image001.jpg>On Jan 8, 2013, at 9:16 AM, Angela Abrusci <a.ab...@gmail.com> wrote:Peter, I would love to meet with Graeme today, but unfortunately, I cannot make arrangements to have someone cover me at work on such short notice. However, I could send send another representative from our neighborhood association if Graeme would provide him with a good time to meet. His name is Don Carr, copied on this email, and his phone number is 904-329-5812.
I would still like to meet with him at another time when he's available. My phone number is 352-224-8367. I'm not available during the day, but I can return a call in the evenings.
Sincerely,
AngelaOn Jan 8, 2013 7:06 AM, "Zent, Peter" <Peter...@lendlease.com> wrote:Ms. Abrusci,Graeme Whelan will be at the store opening today and is available to meet if needed. We are address your concerns and it is always good to have a face to face meeting. If not, please supply us with your telephone number and he will callyou.The store opens today at 9am.Thanks you for your concerns.Peter Zent | Project Manager, Multi-Site Group | Project Management & Construction | Lend Lease581 Red Cedar Court, NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33703O 727 851 9384 | F 312 731 7413 | M 813 523 5812ü Please consider the environment before printing this e-mailFrom: Angela Abrusci [mailto:a.ab...@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2013 7:01 PM
To: Douglas Metzger
Cc: darren....@7-11.com; Mark A Cechman; angela....@7-11.com; Kevlon Kirkpatrick;margaret...@7-11.com; Don Carr; Dean Grandin; joseph....@7-11.com; Cleave Frink; Mike Bryan; Andrew Nash; Robert Stuart; Charley Carpenter; sken...@hotmail.com; Graeme Whelan (gwh...@menemshasolutions.com); Zent, Peter
Subject: Re: Wall Exposure Behind New 7-Eleven in Orlando, FloridaHappy New Year, Doug!
Would you give us an update on the status of the fence and the other safety issues we discussed before the holidays as it appears the store will be opening this week?
The neighbors are concerned about the safety of the neighborhood, especially after an incident that happened yesterday at the Italian Beefstro. Just minutes before a group of us arrived to meet there yesterday, a car was broken into and robbed. After that, a large man walked right through the temporary fence. As you can see from the attached photo, it doesn't take much to move the fence to slip through it, so it is essentially not doing anything to restrict foot traffic.
I included some photos of potential CPTED issues. The retention area is well hidden from sight on all sides and someone can easily lay on the hill to sleep. I'm very concerned about this becoming a camping area for the homeless. If they are sleeping on Lake Dot and Lake Concord, this will be a very desirable out of sight spot for them to loiter. I also noticed that the retention wall on Edgewater has enough space to nest in the mulched area. A couple of other problem areas are at the Colonial entrance. The security camera is pointed directly at the canopy over the door rendering it useless and the vestibule inside has walls on both sides with no eyes on it, making it very unsafe for someone walking into the store from the parking lot. I know that the vestibule has nothing to do with foot traffic into the neighborhood, but I am concerned for the safety of our neighbors if they choose to patronize the new store. I personally would not want to enter the store specifically for that reason.
Lastly, the leftover mulch from the retention area and some other debris was dumped along the fence, blocking the drainage which is causing flooding on Putnum on the Colonial side of the barricade.
Please keep us informed on any updates and how long it's going to take permitting to approve a permanent fix to the fence.
Sincerely,
AngelaOn Fri, Dec 14, 2012 at 11:48 AM, Douglas Metzger <douglas...@cityoforlando.net> wrote:Anglea and my other College Park Neighbors:I just wanted to give you an update on your 7-eleven concerns.I met yesterday on site with the 7-Eleven Project Manager Graeme Whelen to discuss solutions to the neighbors concerns and here is how we are going to proceed.First, with regards to the Putnam wall gap, as a temporary fix 7-Eleven is going to install a section of wood privacy fence as soon as possible to close the gap. This is a temporary solution that will close the gap immediately and give 7-Eleven time to have a section of aluminum picket fence fabricated that matches the existing Putnam fence. They will also need to permit and then install the new section of fence, again this will take a little time so your patience is appreciated.Second, while I was there yesterday Graeme also brought to my attention the the new 7-Eleven wall location, which i believe we all understand was sited where it is to preserve the existing mature trees, has also created a gap between the Edgewater Oaks Condo privacy fence and the new 7-Eleven wall. 7-Eleven will also be having a section of fence fabricated that matches the existing Edgewater Oaks fence to close that gap as well. That fence will also need to be permitted and installed, and again your patience is appreciated on this mater as well.To add to the closing the fence gaps issues, these new sections of fence will be located on 7-Eleven property. 7-Eleven is responsible for maintaining the area between the back of the wall and their property line. This will require them having access to those areas which means, with regards to the Edgewater Oaks section of fence that they my need to install a locking gate that 7-Eleven controls that will allow them access to their property behind the wall in order to maintain it.And the final issue I wanted to address with you all was night time safety concerns around the retention area between the new 7-Eleven and Putnam. 7-Eleven has installed a single-head parking lot light adjacent to their dumpster enclosure on the east side of the retention area. They are going to convert this light fixture to a double-headed light fixture. The new second fixture will illuminate the retention area at night. It should also be noted the the small office to the west of the 7-Eleven also has two powerful flood lights in its rear parking area that will also help illuminate the retention at night.I hope these solutions address your concerns and also please understand that 7-Eleven is working very hard to be a good neighbor. They have been cooperative and proactive in addressing all of these concerns as well as others the City has had along the way. We ask for your patience while these solutions and improvements are implemented, but as always, please contact me should you have any other questions or concerns.Happy Friday and Happy Holidays too,Doug Metzger, AICPCity Planning Department, Urban Design Studio
On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 8:51 AM, Angela Abrusci <a.ab...@gmail.com> wrote:Fair enough. Thank you!
On Dec 12, 2012 8:32 AM, "Douglas Metzger" <douglas...@cityoforlando.net> wrote:This early in the morning without having finished my first cup of coffee I am not exactly sure how long the fix will take yet Angela....But I will let you know tomorrow after I meet with the 7-Eleven Project Manager late today.And while it may take a week or so to get the final solution permitted and installed I do have an idea for a temporary solution in the interim that I want to discuss with the 7-Eleven PM.But I will let you know more about that tomorrow, too.Have a great day,Doug
On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 8:18 AM, Angela Abrusci <a.ab...@gmail.com> wrote:Thank you, Doug, for addressing these issues on our behalf.
Can you give us an estimated time frame? A small 6' section of fence doesn't take long to revise in a drawing, so knowing approximately how long you're anticipating would be helpful for us to know if the issue is actually being worked on or if it's been set aside.
Angela
On Dec 12, 2012 8:05 AM, "Douglas Metzger" <douglas...@cityoforlando.net> wrote:Good Morning All:My name is Doug Metzger, I am a planner in the Urban Design Studio with the City of Orlando and I have been working with the 7-Eleven team to rectify the missing fence/wall connection. 7-Eleven and their consulting team has been very cooperative in working with me on this issue as well as with making the retention area a more secure area in order to address the neighbor's concerns.I am meeting with the 7-Eleven project manager on site today to discuss the issues in detail.With regards to the fence I believe the simple and best solution is to close the gap between the existing neighborhood picket fence and the new 7-Eleven wall with a new section of aluminum picket fence. 7-Eleven is very willing to close the gap, but please understand it will take time to accomplish. Plans need to be revised and permits need to be modified and pulled, but the gap will be closed as quickly as we can close it.With regards to the retention area we will be discussing potential low level lighting options to make this area more visible and less hidden during the night time hours.To be honest, I did not originally require lighting in the retention area because I was concerned about too much light spilling in to the adjacent residential area.Again, it will take some time to modify plans and permits but this concern will also be addressed.We are all working as quickly as possible to resolve these issues and your patience is greatly appreciated as these revisions work their way through the system.Please feel free to contact me should you have any additional questions or comments.Happy Holidays,Doug--Douglas A Metzger, AICP - City Planner III
City of Orlando – City Planning Division
400 S. Orange Ave. - 6th floor
On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 11:38 PM, Angela Abrusci <a.ab...@gmail.com> wrote:To Whom It May Concern;
Copied below is part of an email I sent out yesterday to residents in our neighborhood watch. I'm forwarding it to make you aware of a potentially dangerous situation in an attempt to get it rectified before an incident happens.
Your new store being built at 601 W Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL is adjacent to the College Park neighborhood. Across the street from the store is a motel and a Salvation Army is located a block away, both serving a large homeless population that frequently pass through our neighborhood. To prevent an influx of pedestrian and vehicular traffic into the south end of the neighborhood from Colonial Drive, the termination point of Putnam Avenue into Colonial Drive was barricaded and it has helped considerably with neighborhood watch as it's easy to spot when someone that doesn't belong is lurking.
The new store has surfaced a problem in the construction of a new block wall to replace the old fence that blocked pedestrians from entering the neighborhood. The wall was build approximately 6 feet away from the existing barricade at the end of Putnam Avenue and a connection has not been made to seal the perimeter onto Putnam. I have already encountered 2 strange men on my block in the last week. One came out of my neighbor's back yard late at night and exited through the opening at the end of the street and the other was a homeless man that turned around when he saw me and followed me home yesterday. Thankfully, he approached me while I was speaking with two of your construction guys who made it clear to him that they were not going to leave me alone with him when he attempted to lure me away to talk.
A portion of the email below details the issues and potential hazards of not connecting the new wall to the existing fence. I'm writing to ask that you consider forwarding this issue to the appropriate corporate department to have the project modified to address these issues. (I have already contacted the City of Orlando, copied on this email, to see how we can expedite the process of any revisions to the project.) Our sub-committee would like to be involved to ensure that any impact on the neighbors would be minimal. Doing so would not only be an act of being a good neighbor to the the community your business serves, but also to protect your investment in building a new location. Over the last year or so, our neighborhood had quite a few homes and cars broken into and even the crew at your construction site suffered loss of equipment. I'm hopeful that we can work together to make the property one that will not encourage loitering on your side of the wall, nor encourage foot traffic to our side by those that have no reason to be here.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to help College Park remain a great neighborhood to live in!
Genuinely,
Angela Abrusci
352-224-8367Potion of email to neighborhood watch:
To make this more brief, I'll bullet point the conversation and issues.
What I learned from the PM:
- The project close date is projected for the end of this week
- There is no design intent to close the gap, it would have to be added into the drawings as a revision and another permit will need to be pulled. The company that handles construction for 7Eleven is in California and the architect that designed the building is out of Arkansas
- He took my email address and will contact the company that handles construction for corporate and will copy me
- The reason for the gap is because of the tree line. The old fence was actually on the property line, but they avoided having to take down the trees so they moved the wall in
- The owner (she does not live on site) of 717 Putnam didn't seem concerned about the gap when talked to by the PM. I left her a voice mail to call me
- The parking lot will be very minimally lit. While this is good for light pollution, it is not good for crime!
- There will not be any lighting on the retention pond
- The retention pond has a drain and will not fill up unless there is a really hard rain. It will be landscaped with grass with no fence around it and it will be out of sight behind the dumpster, making a nice campground for overflow of homeless people that normally sleep on Lake Dot and Lake Concord. There is no light at the end of Putnam that would illuminate the retention pond
- The construction trailer with locks that could not be cut was broken into. The metal bars to the trailer were pried open. Tools, laptop and equipment were stolen.
- Construction workers' trucks were broken into during work hours and expensive equipment was stolen.
- The store itself has a vestibule designed into it that will make it perfect for loitering, encouraging potential crime within the store itself. I imagine this will turn out to be a headache for police as well
Issues:
- The 6' gap needs to be closed immediately, preferably by 7-Eleven since it is on their property and they initiated the removal of the fence. Homeless people are already using it as a shortcut in and out of the neighborhood, creating the potential for more break-ins and theft
- The retention pond needs to be reviewed for CPTED issues and needs to be brought to 7Eleven's attention to correct. It needs to be lit and possibly planted with hostile vegetation to discourage people from camping there. A surveillance camera into the store would be a plus, but I know that will never happen
- The City's attention needs to be brought to the fact that these issues should have been caught in design review before permits were issued. An architect out of Arkansas has no idea that we have a homeless population living adjacent to our neighborhood and that gates were put up specifically to keep out vehicular and pedestrian traffic, but the City is well aware of this and should have paid closer attention to detail when approving a project like this. They could have required the perimeter be sealed off and that proper lighting and vegetation be included in the design revisions.
- Will there be closer police surveillance along the perimeter ensuring that the end of Putnam Avenue is clear of loitering?
I've attached some photos of the area with the gap in the fence and showing the retention pond adjacent to the wall as well as a site map detailing the problem areas.
--
Genuinely,
Angela Abrusci
e: a.ab...@gmail.com
p: 352.224.8367
http://www.linkedin.com/in/aabrusci--Douglas A Metzger, AICP - City Planner III
City of Orlando – City Planning Division
400 S. Orange Ave. - 6th floorFlorida has a very broad public records law. As a result, anywritten communication created or received by the City ofOrlando officials and employees will be made available to thepublic and media, upon request, unless otherwise exempt.Under Florida law, email addresses are public records.If you do not want your email address released in responseto a public records request, do not send electronic mail tothis office. Instead, contact our office by phone or in writing.--Douglas A Metzger, AICP - City Planner III
City of Orlando – City Planning Division
400 S. Orange Ave. - 6th floorFlorida has a very broad public records law. As a result, anywritten communication created or received by the City ofOrlando officials and employees will be made available to thepublic and media, upon request, unless otherwise exempt.Under Florida law, email addresses are public records.If you do not want your email address released in responseto a public records request, do not send electronic mail tothis office. Instead, contact our office by phone or in writing.--Douglas A Metzger, AICP - City Planner III
City of Orlando – City Planning Division
400 S. Orange Ave. - 6th floorFlorida has a very broad public records law. As a result, anywritten communication created or received by the City ofOrlando officials and employees will be made available to thepublic and media, upon request, unless otherwise exempt.Under Florida law, email addresses are public records.If you do not want your email address released in responseto a public records request, do not send electronic mail tothis office. Instead, contact our office by phone or in writing.
--
Genuinely,
Angela Abrusci
e: a.ab...@gmail.com
p: 352.224.8367
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