Attorney William Colbert Pushes for Positive Change Behind the Scenes

Pushing for Positive Change Behind the Scenes

BY DANIELLA HUME

With Sanford roots going back over one-hundred and fifty years, Attorney William Colbert has witnessed firsthand how this beautiful town evolved. Not only did he see it, but he was also part of it. For the past 40 years, Colbert has been Sanford’s City Attorney. “I have participated in a lot of things in the community, I definitely don’t take credit for those things happening,” Colbert tells us, “but I have been fortunate enough to be part of it. And for that, I am very thankful.”

Colbert’s ancestors moved to Sanford in 1865. He tells us Sanford was much smaller when he was growing up. “It used to be a very small town. I went to the First Baptist Church in Sanford and so did my doctor, my neighbors. Everyone knew everyone.”

He went off to college and then law school, only to find himself back in Sanford after he graduated. He joined the Stenstrom Law Firm in 1971. “A lot has happened in Sanford over the last few decades but if I was picking which events had the most impact, I would boil it down to about five,” Colbert said.

Establishing the Commercial and Residential Historic Districts

When Sanford’s Navy Air Station closed in the 1960s, the population started to dwindle. At the time, the city was in rough shape and a lot of the homes were rented by the week, day and hour. It was clear that changes needed to be made. One commissioner had the idea of creating a historic district and pitched the idea to Colbert. He went ahead and drew up something for the commissioners. Despite hesitation from some, the establishment of the historic district passed. It began to make a difference in the town says Colbert. Property values started to rise, and the city continues to grow in a positive direction. “Some homes there are even on the historic register and that to me is one of the most significant things that has happened to this city in the last 30 years.”

Creating the Community Redevelopment Agency

In the 1970s, there was a group of property owners on First Street that wanted the city to do some improvements like add benches and planters. This group of 10 called themselves the Downtown Development Association. They reached out to Colbert’s law firm and asked for assistance. Colbert and his partner drafted a presentation free of charge and brought it to the city. The proposal read that if these property owners painted 10 buildings and spruced them up, the city, in return, would make improvements to the surrounding areas.

It didn’t happen as quick as they wanted, but eventually, all the buildings were painted, and the city started following through with its promise. Despite a lawsuit, the city defended it and won. It started to look good around town, so people wanted to do more. “The way you do more is with the Community Redevelopment Agency,” said Colbert. “So, the city created the CRA and then used tax dollars that were growing to do the improvements that you see today.”

Opening of the Seminole Towne Center

Back in the day, most of the west side of town was made up of vacant fields. There were a few malls outside the city, but nothing close to Sanford. On and off, people talked about putting a mall in town near State Road 46 and I-4. The city manager at the time talked to Colbert about how much he would love to see a mall. He got on the phone with the mayor and told her what they had in mind. Two weeks later, Colbert got another call from the city manager, but this time telling him he had a client interested in building a mall in the very spot they talked about. The rest is history. The footprint of the mall led to other development between downtown and I-4.

Construction of SR-417

didn’t like the idea of a tollway coming through town, saying it would divide the city. However, Colbert made the argument that I-4 runs through Orlando, helping bring more commuters to town. He told them it will be an alternate route for people to travel and have access to Sanford. So, it was decided that it would come to Sanford. “We got the river, we got the railroad, we got the airport, we got the interstate, and we got the bypass,” Colbert said, “We have good access, and having that has really helped the city overall.”

Finding an Airport Operator

When the military left Sanford’s Naval Air Station, the city inherited the property, and it became a private aviation airport. No airlines were going in and out, and there was not much industry around it. As Orlando International Airport got more crowded, there was interest in the airline industry to have a more accessible airport.

Colbert saw an opportunity for Sanford. Because the city appoints the airport authority, he encouraged Sanford’s leaders to find an operator for the airport. The authority still manages the airport, but the terminal, the flights, and many improvements were done by the overall management company. They started bringing in charter flights from Europe and South America. That eventually led to Allegiant and other airlines coming in. The airport authority started to concentrate on the development of businesses around the airport. The arraignment brought jobs, revenue, and passengers to the airport. “I truly believe getting that operator approved for the airport has brought a significant boom to Sanford,” Colbert told us.

For decades, William Colbert has been involved in Sanford’s growth and prosperity. His time and experience here make him confident in the city’s future. “I think the best days are ahead for Sanford. This is a great time for the city,” he said, “a lot of things are coming together and it’s all for the good.”