Parramore native proposes ‘smart city’ transformation for historic Orlando neighborhood
ORLANDO, Fla. —
The man behind the plan says it’s a major step that’s been years in the making.
Parramore native Timothy Green is proposing to build an urban smart city in the historic Orlando neighborhood. He says it would bring everything from jobs to transportation.
Green is the lead developer and founder of Green District Smart City in Parramore, proposing a plan that was filed with the city on Aug. 7.
He says it’s a major step in bringing much-needed housing, economic development, training, jobs, and more to Parramore.
“We’re going to have affordable condos on each level,” he said. “We’re talking 2,000 residential units coming to the market, 700, almost 800 hotel keys, we’re talking over half a million square feet of attraction space, retail space like museums, performing arts center, food courts.”
Plus, a 40,000-square-foot grocery store, and parking.
“We’re going to try to solve that problem by building a 700-parking space here that we’ll split up between the public and OPD,” he said, also proposing a vertiport for electrically powered aircraft.
Jeff Palmer is co -owner of Palmer’s Feed and Seed, a business that’s been in Parramore for nearly 80 years.
He’s familiar with the plan.
“I think any time you can bring more people and commerce to the area and traffic to the area, it’s good for the local businesses,” Jeff Palmer told WESH 2 News.
Green said the project is 20 acres and growing, to be built within the industrial area from Church Street to Westmoreland and down to Clearlake Road.
“We’re going to be making an economic impact of about $900 million to a billion dollars annually based on the jobs and what this development means to the community and taxes too.” Green said.
Born and raised in Parramore, and still living here, Timothy Green said he wants to give back.
“God gave me an opportunity to better myself and to be a great developer and that wasn’t just for myself, I’m walking in my purpose and my purpose is to better my community,” he said.
Right now, the urban smart city plan is going through an administrative process with the city.
Green has filed under Florida’s Live Local Act, a state law designed to expand the supply of affordable and workforce housing by allowing more types of residential developments in areas zoned for commercial or industrial use.