ORLANDO, Fla. — Next week, the Orlando City Council is considering approving some major investments that will change downtown.
David Barilla, executive director of the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency, will be presenting an update to the DTO Action Plan. An amendment to the plan would expand the CRA’s boundary to support infrastructure and other improvements.
The proposed expansion includes 47 acres surrounding Camping World Stadium.
“We’ve had so much success with the activations that are going on and large events, and wanted to take the opportunity to see if doing an expansion in that area to include more than just the stadium itself, but looking at other improvements on the roadways and sidewalks,” said Barilla.
City leaders will also consider authorizing $160 million in CRA Tax Increment Revenue Bonds to fund major downtown projects. Last month, the agency shared different plans for downtown — including road projects, new parks, and gateway signs at Lake Eola.
A big project with city support includes The Canopy, a park that will be built underneath I-4. Construction is expected to start this summer.
“There’s so much work that’s had to go on behind the scenes making sure that we were crossing our Ts and dotting our Is, but the community is really going to get to be a part of it now and see that progress for downtown,” said Barilla.
It’s a plan business owner Jonny Sta. Ana supports. He owns BookBurn Cafe and Social, located minutes away from downtown. He believes it’s important for people to feel comfortable so they’ll support those businesses more often.
“As we grow as a city and as multiple communities, we have these green spaces that can bring people out into these neighborhoods that need the business,” said Sta. Ana.
The city workshop begins at 10 a.m. on Monday, followed by the regular city council meeting at 2 p.m.