Harmony, Florida
Encyclopedia
Harmony is an unincorporated
master-planned community near St. Cloud
, Florida
, United States
. It is part of the Orlando
–Kissimmee
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
In 2004, the developers of Harmony and the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT) reached an agreement to speed the four-lane widening of Highway 192
/441. The highway separates Harmony from Harmony High School, which is located directly across from the community. As the school serves students from Harmony, a section of the 1.1-mile-long road widening is elevated. Concerns for pedestrian safety, the developers and FDOT wanted to complete the works prior to the commencement of the school year in 2004. The agreement was the first of its kind in the State in which a private developer (the Harmony CDD) and FDOT have worked in concert on such a municipal project.
In 2005 the development of Harmony was purchased by Starwood Capital Group. Since then several existing amenities in Harmony have been removed and many others promised by the original developer have either been rescinded or remain unfulfilled. These actions on the part of the new developers have created much controversy and consternation on the part of long standing Harmony residents. The marketing promises that were apparently broken or remain unfulfilled by Starwood / Harmony Development Company have been documented in detail by a residents website with an open newsgroup.
The Town of Harmony also host a variety of events and activities almost daily for residents of the community. Information on all of the festivals and events can be found on the Harmony Florida Events website at http://www.eventsatharmony.com
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
master-planned community near St. Cloud
St. Cloud, Florida
St. Cloud is a city in Osceola County, Florida, United States. The population was 35,183 at the 2010 census. St. Cloud is closely associated with the adjacent city of Kissimmee and its proximity to Orlando area theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and Seaworld.St...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is part of the Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
–Kissimmee
Kissimmee, Florida
Kissimmee is a city in Osceola County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 59,682. It is the county seat of Osceola County...
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Development
In 2003, after seven years of planning the first residents moved in and made Harmony their home. The planned community has already been awarded a Merit Award, ranking Harmony among Central Florida's best communities.In 2004, the developers of Harmony and the Florida Department of Transportation
Florida Department of Transportation
The Florida Department of Transportation is a decentralized agency charged with the establishment, maintenance, and regulation of public transportation in the state of Florida. The department was formed in 1969. It absorbed the powers of the Florida State Road Department...
(FDOT) reached an agreement to speed the four-lane widening of Highway 192
U.S. Route 192
U.S. Route 192 is an east–west route of the United States Numbered Highway system in central Florida. It runs 75.04 miles from U.S. Route 27 in Citrus Ridge, Lake County, east past Walt Disney World and through Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Melbourne, to end at State Road A1A in Indialantic, one...
/441. The highway separates Harmony from Harmony High School, which is located directly across from the community. As the school serves students from Harmony, a section of the 1.1-mile-long road widening is elevated. Concerns for pedestrian safety, the developers and FDOT wanted to complete the works prior to the commencement of the school year in 2004. The agreement was the first of its kind in the State in which a private developer (the Harmony CDD) and FDOT have worked in concert on such a municipal project.
In 2005 the development of Harmony was purchased by Starwood Capital Group. Since then several existing amenities in Harmony have been removed and many others promised by the original developer have either been rescinded or remain unfulfilled. These actions on the part of the new developers have created much controversy and consternation on the part of long standing Harmony residents. The marketing promises that were apparently broken or remain unfulfilled by Starwood / Harmony Development Company have been documented in detail by a residents website with an open newsgroup.
Events and Festivals
The Town of Harmony host a variety of festivals and events for both the residents of Harmony and the greater Central Florida Community each year. The four major yearly festivals include the Dark Sky Festival (April), Flag Day Festival (June), Harvest Festival (October), and the Winter Carnival (December).The Town of Harmony also host a variety of events and activities almost daily for residents of the community. Information on all of the festivals and events can be found on the Harmony Florida Events website at http://www.eventsatharmony.com