Car Share, Bike Share, LYMMO, SunRail, Homelessness and More all Focus of Mayor Buddy Dyer's State of Downtown Orlando Address


On Thursday October 10, 2013, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer delivered his annual State of Downtown address to hundreds of Downtown residents, business owners and community leaders gathered on the floor of the Amway Center.

During his speech Mayor Dyer highlighted the work of the Downtown Strategic Transition Team which was formed 10 years ago to develop a plan to revitalize and modernize Downtown Orlando. 

“As I look back at the strategy set forth by our community in the fall of 2003, I am proud of the successes we’ve achieved, the challenges we’ve overcome and the position our center City is in today,” said Mayor Dyer.  “This task force created 166 recommendations to better our downtown.  Today, 136 of those are complete or in progress.” 

Mayor Dyer announced a new task force, Project DTO, which will help create the strategic plan for the next 10 years.

Mayor Dyer also reaffirmed his commitment to Parramore noting that a strategic focus area of Project DTO will include continuing to make a meaningful impact in the Parramore community.

Similar to each State of Downtown address, Mayor Dyer provided the community with an update on facts, figures and new developments in Downtown Orlando.  

“I want everyone to think about what’s happening right now in Downtown and how it positions us for the future,” noted Mayor Dyer.  “Ask yourselves, is there any other downtown in America experiencing this much activity?”

Among the successes are:

CORNERSTONE PROJECTS
“The first of five major objectives outlined by our task force was to re-energize the core of our City by implementing what we called “Cornerstone Projects” that would create jobs, spur development and generate economic impact.”

Project Update
  • Since 2003, 47 major projects representing $1.86 billion in investments were completed.  
  • Today, 9 projects are underway in Downtown Orlando that will add 566 residential units, 119 hotel rooms, 18,300 square-feet of retail space, 398,700 square-feet in office space representing $1.27 billion in investment. 
    • Projects include: Aloft Hotel, NORA, Sky House, Church Street Streetscape, LYMMO Expansion, Coalition for the Homeless Men’s Service Center, Gertrude’s Walk, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and SunRail.
  • 6 projects are proposed to break ground in the next year in Downtown Orlando representing an additional $345 million investment, more than 900 residential units, 260 hotel rooms and 35,000 square-feet of retail space.  
    • Projects include:  420 East Church Street, 800 North Orange Avenue, Central Station, Citrus Bowl Reconstruction, Residence Inn and The Sevens.
  • 7 projects are also proposed for the future of Downtown representing a more than $2 billion investment and include:
    • 315 West Concord, 331 Cathcart Avenue, 801/811 North Magnolia, Cambria Suites, Creative Village, Interstate 4 Improvements and Trinity Lutheran CDC.

TRANSPORTATION
“Another pillar of our strategic plan was transportation… making downtown a more pedestrian-friendly destination and expanding public transportation options.”

Car Share Program
  • The program launches today, Thursday, October 10, 2013.
Bike Share Program
  • The City released an RFP for a bike share system in June 2013 and the program is expected to be operational in summer 2014. 
LYMMO 
  • The new Parramore BRT “Lime Line” will be operational by spring 2014.
  • The new East/West Expansion, the “Grapefruit Line” will be operational by spring 2014.
Orlando Amtrak Station Rehabilitation
  • The project is currently under design and construction will begin early 2014 with an expected completion in summer 2014.
Sligh Boulevard 
  • The project is under design and is expected to be complete in spring 2014.
SunRail
  • Under construction now, the 32-mile first phase of SunRail will serve 12 stations with operations expected to start in second quarter of 2014.

QUALITY OF LIFE
“We believed then, and still believe today, that more than any single amenity, superior quality of life is what draws employers, workers, residents and visitors to Downtown.”

Central Florida Regional Commission on Homelessness
  • Today, Mayor Dyer will join with the Central Florida Regional Commission on Homelessness will launch the “Rethink Homelessness” campaign.
  • The goal of the campaign is to change the misconception of homelessness and help our community understand that the majority of homeless in the Central Florida region are families and children.
  • The Central Florida Regional Commission on Homelessness is currently working to align local, state and federal resources; stakeholders and advocates to work together collaboratively to bring results and solutions for the Central Florida homeless population.
Watch Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s 2013 State of Downtown address on the City’s website at www.cityoforlando.net.