In 2006, the future was very bright for new construction projects in east Orlando. Innovation Way and Lake Nona’s Medical Center were on the top of the list. Fast-forward three years, and everything seems to have slowed to a snails-pace.

Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty made his annual pilgrimage to the East Orlando Chamber luncheon last month, and in his chamber address, the arrested development of Innovation Way was presented as a good thing. Rather than forging full-speed ahead on growth, the mayor said the slowed pace will allow more time for planning — and preserving the environment.

“Now when we get things done, we will get them done right,” he said. Just the day before, the Orange County Board of Commissioners voted preliminary approval for a new development corridor along the fragile Econlockhatchee River basin.

Read the full story Recession tempers Mayor Crotty’s annual EOCC visit