{"id":381434,"date":"2026-08-26T08:08:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T08:08:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/381434\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T08:08:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T08:08:27","slug":"orlandos-downtown-redevelopment-push-puts-historic-preservation-funding-at-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/381434\/","title":{"rendered":"Orlando\u2019s downtown redevelopment push puts historic preservation funding at risk"},"content":{"rendered":"

Orlando’s effort to make it easier to redevelop older buildings downtown could come with a cost, with the state warning the city that it risks losing a key historic preservation certification and access to future grant funding.<\/p>\n

The warning centers on a three-year moratorium approved by the Orlando City Council in June that temporarily changes the review process for projects<\/a> in the Downtown Historic District.<\/p>\n

The Florida Division of Historical Resources says the ordinance does not comply with requirements for Orlando to remain a Certified Local Government (CLG). The city has 180 days to correct the violations, or it could face decertification.<\/p>\n

More than $3 million in historic preservation grants have been awarded for projects in Orlando since 2017, according to Jeff Thompson, chair of the Orlando Historic Preservation Board.<\/p>\n

“There’s been a million dollars awarded to Black Bottom House of Prayer, another million dollars to Maxey Crooms, the Plaza Live received $500,000, Greenwood Cemetery received $50,000,” Thompson said.<\/p>\n

He said Orlando losing certification could have the greatest impact on smaller organizations that rely on grants to help preserve historic properties.<\/p>\n

“They’re small, local groups that don’t have access to those types of funds,” Thompson said. “So those are the types of projects, those are types of organizations that will suffer most.”<\/p>\n

Funding for one current city preservation project has already been put on hold amid the dispute.<\/p>\n

“The city is currently reviewing the comments and will make any clarifications within the six-month response timeline,” a spokesperson for Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s office said in a statement.<\/p>\n

Thompson said city officials had warning before approving the ordinance.<\/p>\n

“They knew it,” Thompson said. “They had the information, and they proceeded anyway.”<\/p>\n

The mayor’s office says the temporary change is intended to encourage private investment downtown by making it easier to renovate, reuse, and invest in older buildings.<\/p>\n

The city says it remains committed to historic preservation and maintaining its status as a Certified Local Government.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here<\/a> to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.<\/p>\n

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