Tom Keen District 1 Commissioner

As we begin the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, we want to remind residents about the importance of storm preparedness.

Central Florida remains highly vulnerable to severe weather. While early forecasts predict that El Niño conditions may bring near-average to slightly below average activity this year, our region can still experience hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, flooding and extended power outages.

The City of Orlando has prepared a helpful guide on what to do before, during and after a hurricane. We strongly encourage all residents to review our Hurricane Guide, available at orlando.gov/stormprep.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30, with peak activity typically occurring between August and October. Now is the time to gather information, make a plan and ensure your household is prepared.

It is always better to be safe than sorry. Start your storm readiness today.

Today we commemorate Juneteenth, recognizing the end of slavery in the United States and celebrating the strength and cultural contributions of Black Americans.

Our community stands together as we reflect on the past and work toward a more just future for all.

This evening, I attended the grand opening of Total Wine & More, one of the newest retailers contributing to the significant economic growth happening in Lake Nona West. As part of a 405,000‑square‑foot retail expansion, Total Wine & More joins a strong lineup of national and local tenants that are bringing new jobs, investment, and expanded amenities to District 1.

The new 20,157‑square‑foot store is one of several major openings that reflect the momentum of this rapidly growing commercial district. Lake Nona West will feature anchors like Target, Barnes & Noble and Dick’s Sporting Goods, along with new dining options, public art installations and EV charging infrastructure.

Together, these businesses are helping meet the demand of one of Central Florida’s fastest‑growing communities and strengthening our local economy.

I was pleased to celebrate tonight’s opening, and I look forward to the continued economic impact and community benefits this development will bring.

E‑bikes are becoming more popular every day, and while they offer amazing freedom for our teens, preteens and kids, they also bring some real safety challenges. With so many models and speeds out there, families, schools and first responders are working hard to keep up, and this isn’t a future issue. It’s something our community is dealing with right now.

This week, I brought key partners together by hosting an e‑bike safety meeting at Lake Nona High School. My goal was simple: get everyone in one room so we can start building clear, practical, community‑wide solutions before the 2026-2027 school year begins.

We had middle and high school principals, the Orlando Police Department, the Orlando Fire Department and local elected officials including State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith and State Representative Rita Harris. Bringing together leaders from education, public safety and the state level allowed us to focus on immediate steps we can take to better protect young riders and reduce preventable injuries.

I’m committed to keeping families informed and working with OPD and our community partners to share important e‑bike and scooter safety updates. Please stay connected with the District 1 office on social media and through our newsletter. We will continue to share clear, timely information as we work together to keep our young riders safe.

Last week, I had the privilege of participating in a Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando delegation to Puerto Rico to engage with leaders and community stakeholders who are committed to creating opportunities and strengthening regional partnerships.

One of the highlights was meeting with leaders in San Juan, including Mayor Miguel A. Romero Lugo, Mayor Jackie Espinosa of Kissimmee and Pedro Turushina, President and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando.

Conversations centered on building partnerships that support business growth, innovation and shared success across our regions.

Grateful for the warm hospitality and meaningful discussions that continue to strengthen the ties between Puerto Rico and Central Florida.

Looking forward to continuing these partnerships and exploring new ways we can work together to support our communities.

What an incredible Saturday at Spring Fest! The energy, the conversations and the strong sense of community made it an incredible event. With more than 80 vendors on site, residents had the opportunity to connect with city and county resources, engage with community organizations and support many local small businesses.

This year’s Spring Fest also featured multiple live performances and free cheeseburgers and hot dogs grilled by the Orlando Professional Firefighters Local 1365. We’re so thankful to them for going above and beyond to help make the event so special.

We were also proud to welcome several local leaders, including:
- State Senator Smith
- State Senator Arrington
- State Representative Anna Eskamani
- Orange County Clerk of Court Tiffany Moore Russell
- Orange County Comptroller and former City of Orlando Commissioner Phil Diamond
- County Commissioner Mayra Uribe
- County Commissioner Maribel Cordero

A special note of appreciation goes to Comptroller Phil Diamond, who originally created Spring Fest during his time serving as the District 1 Commissioner. It was great to have him join the event again, as this tradition continues to grow.

A huge thank you to city staff, volunteers, vendors, partners and the team at Vista Lakes for helping make Spring Fest such a success.

Looking forward to building on this momentum and staying connected with the residents who make our community so special.