A new book details how Walt Disney secretly secured the land for Walt Disney World in Florida, and created a special district of his own to give the company unprecedented control over the area.
Sam Genneway reviews the new book PROJECT FUTURE: The Inside Story Behind the Creation of Disney World. by Chad Denver Emerson. The book explains how Disney created the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which continues to control much of what happens today in the special district.
Genneway writes, "...the unique form of government has proven to be a success for more than 40 years. In most parts of the country, the basic infrastructure systems are managed by Special Districts. These quasi-public/private Special Districts are an efficient way to maintain water and sewer systems, flood control facilities, and other public uses. The original idea for Disney was simply to create a special district to deal with drainage issues. Throughout the years, the level of authority had grown tremendously with the District covering virtually everything but schools."
Read the full story: Book Review: Project Future
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