{"id":385995,"date":"2026-08-31T11:08:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T11:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/385995\/"},"modified":"2026-08-31T11:08:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T11:08:10","slug":"orange-county-starts-new-process-to-deal-with-tymber-skan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/385995\/","title":{"rendered":"Orange County starts new process to deal with Tymber Skan"},"content":{"rendered":"

The long-deteriorating Tymber Skan on the Lake condominiums, where just eight of the 49 buildings are still standing, the others replaced by unkempt, trash-filled lots, should be sold and its remaining residents found other homes, Orange County commissioners decided last week.<\/p>\n

The county, which because of previous problems at the complex owns dozens of units in Tymber Skan, now will begin a long process to dissolve the condominiums\u2019 multiple homeowners groups and petition a court to name a \u201ctermination trustee,\u201d who could authorize its sale.<\/p>\n

The board discussed the possibility last month and Tuesday voted unanimously to proceed.<\/p>\n

That could eventually lead to demolition of remaining buildings and redevelopment of the site off South Texas Avenue.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re ready to go,\u201d said Tymber Skan resident Cynthia Claytor, speaking at Tuesday\u2019s Board of County Commissioners meeting.<\/p>\n

Claytor, 72, who bought her tidy place about a decade ago, said she was speaking for herself and a fellow retiree, both of whom had previously shunned advice to leave the complex built 50 years ago and formerly marketed as \u201cluxury\u201d living for young professionals.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re old enough and smart enough to know sometimes you just got to say, \u2018Hey, we\u2019re done.\u2019 That\u2019s where we\u2019re at now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Efforts to reverse years of decay and neglect have repeatedly failed, she agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve become a dumping ground,\u201d she said. \u201cPeople come from the outside continually and dump, party and do other things, making it very uncomfortable to live here anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

One squatter even took up residence in a guard shack at the entrance to the complex.<\/p>\n

The county pledged to aid residents caught in \u201cprecarious situations\u201d find new homes through its Citizen Resource and Outreach Division.<\/p>\n

Orange County sees the end for deteriorating Tymber Skan condos<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cFor more than two decades, the Tymber Skan community has experienced a steady decline despite the county\u2019s investment of more than $3.5 million in stabilization efforts,\u201d Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said. \u201cThat is far above any ownership groups have invested in that same property.\u201d<\/p>\n

Much of the money funded demolitions of decaying units. The county also forgave nearly $50,000 in unpaid water bills.<\/p>\n

Demings, a former Orange County sheriff and Orlando police chief, said the action was necessary. \u201cThe property is unsafe and presents a danger to those who live there,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are committed to assisting the existing residents with resources for a smooth transition.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the measure adopted by commissioners, the board found \u201cthe continued operation of Tymber Skan under its existing condominium form of ownership is no longer practical, equitable, or safe, and that seeking judicial termination and related relief is in the best interests of Orange County and serves the health, safety, and welfare of residents, neighboring properties, and the public.\u201d<\/p>\n

Residents have reported shootings and say squatters sometimes occupy units without electricity or running water.<\/p>\n

Commissioner Mike Scott, whose district includes Tymber Skan, said he held a public meeting for the community\u2019s residents and property owners as a run-up to the board vote and went \u201cby myself\u201d to every door in the community to inform them of the board\u2019s intent.<\/p>\n

The commission\u2019s decision was the start of a long process, he said.<\/p>\n

\"AbandonedAbandoned buildings decay in the Tymber Skan on the Lake Condominiums complex in Orlando, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. The Orange County commission is formulating a plan to permanently close what remains of the derelict 1970s neighborhood and relocate its residents. (Joe Burbank\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I want the members of that community to know is this just starts a conversation,\u201d he said, speaking to Tymber Skan residents in the audience of Tuesday\u2019s Board of County Commissioners meeting. \u201cNothing will happen fast, nothing will happen quick and nothing will happen without your input. It is important to me that you be involved in the process, and that we will make sure that whatever transition happens \u2014 even if it results in the termination of the community \u2014 you are made whole in a way that makes sense for your family\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He also addressed rumors that residents could be booted out to make way for a high-end redevelopment of the 63 acre site.<\/p>\n

Scott said, to his knowledge, no one has approached the county with a redevelopment plan for the property. He also promised residents, many of whom are seniors or disabled, they will not be put in a situation where \u201csomeone\u2019s saying \u2018Get Out\u2019 and you have no place to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

The board\u2019s action empowers the county attorney or other legal authority to formally explore options, he said.<\/p>\n

But some doubt the promises and appealed to commissioners to hold off a little longer. \u201cBefore you decide our future, give us time at the table to help plan it,\u201d said Malinda Sinclair, a former Tymber Skan HOA chief who owns rental properties in the complex but does not live there.<\/p>\n

shudak@orlandosentinel.com<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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