FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brie Turek (407) 246-3106
Heather Allebaugh (407) 246-3423, onsite (407) 383-6822

MAYORS DYER AND CROTTY UNVEIL HISTORY-MAKING ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THE FUTURE OF COMMUNITY VENUES

Orlando/Orange County, FL – In front of the Orange County History Center, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty announced, “Today we make history!” Mayors Dyer and Crotty unveiled a proposed plan for one of the biggest community investment opportunities in the region’s history—a new performing arts center, a new events center and renovated Citrus Bowl — to a crowd of local tourism, business and cultural leaders and supporters.

The City of Orlando and Orange County have worked diligently together as a team and have forged a dedicated partnership that establishes an appropriate funding approach that maintains responsibility to Orlando and Orange County citizens and provides enhanced entertainment, sporting and cultural options to improve citizens quality of life and promote a vibrant and healthy economy. The proposed plan utilizes a combination of funding sources including state grants, private contributions, the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency – CRA (a special tax district and the County’s Tourist Development Tax - TDT, which can only be used for promoting tourism, sports and culture.

The proposed plan locates all three venues in Downtown Orlando along the Church Street corridor. The Citrus Bowl will be renovated at its current location, while the performing arts center will be located across from City Hall at the corner of Orange Avenue and South Street. In addition, the City has acquired the Carolina-Florida site on the corner of Hughey Avenue and Church Street, which will be the future home of the new events center.

“This initiative is a triple crown for Downtown, creating an entertainment and cultural corridor that will run from the new Performing Arts Center across from City Hall all the way to a renovated Citrus Bowl,” said Mayor Dyer.

“I said it would take a meaningful partnership with the County, the City and other community venue partners to bring this to fruition, and I’m thrilled to bring this historic agreement forward that will benefit local citizens,” said Mayor Crotty.

The proposed funding plan must now be presented to the Tourist Development Council for review and the Orange County Board of County Commissioners and Orlando City Council for approval.
 

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