Things To Do In SW Florida

Chapter 7

Central Florida individuals and businesses that have filed for liquidation under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code include:

Talco Construction LLC, 17304 Phil C. Peters Road, Winter Garden. Filed: Jan. 16. Assets: $744,294. Liabilities: $1,591,907. Major creditors: Alside Supply Center, Orlando, $645,517; Seacoast Bank, Stuart, $272,011; United Rentals #669, Atlanta, $86,069. Creditors meeting: Feb. 16.

Chapter 11

Central Florida individuals and businesses that have filed for reorganization and protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code include:

The Apostolic Church of Jesus Orlando West, The Apostolic International Ministries Inc., 6101 Denson Drive, Orlando. Filed: Jan. 19. Assets: $3,183,399. Liabilities: $4,933,663. Major creditors: Third World Missions Inc., Merritt Island, $1,714,252; U.S. Small Business Administration, Jacksonville, $105,000; Truist Bank, Wilson, N.C., $7,947. Creditors meeting: Feb. 26.

Perfect Predators Inc., 1945 W. County Road 419, Oviedo. Filed: Jan. 23. Assets: $149,250. Liabilities: $10,000. Major creditors: DRG Consulting, Miami, $10,000. Creditors meeting:  Not available. read more

Disney and the Gov. Ron DeSantis-backed tourism oversight district agreed Thursday to a June 24 trial date for a lawsuit over public records.

The entertainment district sued the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District last month, alleging that officials were withholding records in violation of the state’s public records law. Lawyers for the tourism oversight district deny the allegations.

Disney seeks records from DeSantis’ oversight board in new lawsuit

In a separate lawsuit, Disney’s lawyers accuse the district of stonewalling them on discovery. They asked the court on Tuesday to order the district to turn over text messages and emails, including work-related communications from board members and district employees on personal devices. A judge has not yet ruled on that request.

The tourism district filed that lawsuit over development agreements limiting its authority. The suit asks for a judge to declare the agreements void.

A third lawsuit filed by Disney against DeSantis and state officials is also pending in federal court. read more

The good news is in the headlines. On the same day that the S&P 500 stock index hit all-time highs, consumer confidence (the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index) climbed dramatically to 78.8 from 69.7 in December. This is the second month in a row that the index has seen a strong gain, and the index is now at its highest since July 2021.

The good news is all around us. Stocks soar, GDP remains strong, consumers have regained their confidence, unemployment is low, and it appears the Fed has finished raising interest rates.

The stock market is salivating at the idea that rates will drop — encouraging investors to leave their money market funds behind and buy stocks. And it appears that the fed has engineered a “soft landing” for the economy, avoiding recession as it slowed inflation.

The logic of that thinking is compelling. But Jim Stack of InvesTech Research, who has published a must-read newsletter for more than 40 years and has an excellent track record of calling major turns in the economy and markets, says there are major red flags waving today — both for the stock market and the economy. And he has history on his side. read more

AIC Hotel Group, which is associated with Nobu and other hotel brands, has filed preliminary plans in Orange County for a massive resort east of Disney Springs, according to a report in GrowthSpotter.

AIC Hotel Group, which also owns several Hard Rock Hotels, purchased about 50 acres of vacant property just north of the Orlando Marriott World Center Resort in 2018 for $32.75 million. Nobu Hotels announced plans in 2022 for an Orlando resort with a scheduled opening date in 2026.

The conceptual master plan calls for four hotels with a combined 1,934 rooms, 16 restaurants with seating for 2,600 diners and an entertainment venue with a capacity of 1,625 guests. The master plan also includes 270 apartments designated as Club Membership Units and a 26,000-square-foot spa.

The Nobu Hotels website says the Orlando resort will feature 300 rooms including eight villas, a Nobu restaurant, 50 branded residences, and meeting and event space. The new master plan doesn’t specify how the Nobu project would integrate into the larger resort. read more

With shovels full of dirt held by passionate city leaders, dignitaries and developers, plus light bites from Central Florida businesses, the City of DeBary broke ground on its new Main Street Wednesday morning.

First incorporated as a city in 1993, DeBary has experienced uneven growth, causing leaders to think proactively about how to forge a sustainable future with a high quality of life for residents and visitors. The result is a transit-oriented development (TOD) district comprising a high-density downtown with apartments, townhomes and retail space on 52 acres, plus new parks nearby.

“We had this area here that was going to be a liability because we had varying lot sizes and configurations. We were destined for a lot of inconsistent development that DeBary residents wouldn’t be happy with,” said City Manager Carmen Rosamonda of the area just north of the SunRail station. “We decided to take a proactive approach, turning a liability into an asset our community is so dearly lacking, a downtown.” read more