Always looking for ways to make the City of Orlando more beautiful, Kevin Tyjeski had an 18-year career with the city as Chief Planner and Deputy Director of Economic Development.
Kevin's sudden passing on February 6, 2013 left the city without one of its most ardent champions.
His influence and inspiration live on in the biggest plans and smallest details. He played a vital role in many of the city's development projects that have had a great impact on our community. His work included:
- Major updates to the city's growth management plan and land development code
- Transforming the old Naval Training Center into Baldwin Park
- Protecting the character of neighborhoods created before World War 2
- Turning Ben White Raceway into Trotters Park
- Making Orlando into the urban core of Central Florida, the symbolic and cultural center of the region
Beyond his planning achievements, Kevin was passionate about education and passing on his knowledge. He instilled in students the idealism and skill to envision a world that was safer and more sustainable by serving on advisory committees at the University of Central Florida, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Rollins College, where he also served as an adjunct professor.
Kevin also held lead roles in such organizations as Congress for the New Urbanism and the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Each year, city staff who worked closely with Kevin for many years, come together to raise funds to award scholarships to Orlando students in Kevin's name, including students in Orlando Kid Zones. Dozens of grateful young people now have a brighter future thanks to the Kevin Tyjeski scholarships they received.