Orlando is taking control of telecommunication contracts for new commercial development, although bureaucracy could keep hundreds of thousands of dollars from reaching the city.
"For all the flak the city of Orlando's taken about its generous incentive deals for high-rise developments, at least it figured out a way to get some of its money back. In each of the five agreements the city reached since August 2004 -- the Premiere Trade Plaza, The Paramount on Lake Eola, Tradition Towers, Camden Orange Court and 55 West at the Esplanade -- city lawyers inserted a clause allowing the city to control the developments' telecommunications services.
All totaled, that's more than 1,600 high-end condominium units, an estimated 75 percent or more of which would sign up for digital cable, high-speed Internet service and other fancy accommodations. That doesn't include tens of thousands of square feet of office space, also likely to need high-speed Internet and other telecom services. A cable company could bring in more than $3 million a year, according to city records."
FULL STORY: ANOTHER HANDOUT?

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