2024 State of Downtown
October 15, 2024
Kia Center
Watch the video
“Find Yourself Downtown”
Good afternoon!
It’s a great to be together in Downtown Orlando!
We’re only a few days removed from Hurricane Milton.
So, it’s more than appropriate that we thank OUC for being today’s title sponsor... and especially for the work they’ve done to bring power back across Central Florida.
We know many parts of our community are still recovering from the storm.
But, by and large... Orlando was spared from the worst effects of this devastating hurricane.
Other communities were not as fortunate.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is struggling in the aftermath of both Milton and Helene.
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Our theme today is “Find Yourself Downtown.”
In our opening video, we saw a diverse set of Central Floridians finding themselves Downtown for an equally diverse set of reasons...
A retired couple showing us how Downtown is a playground for seniors...
A family living in Parramore...
A recent college graduate... living and working in our urban core...
A family that lives outside of Orlando, making memories Downtown...
And, sports fans taking SunRail’s “train to the game” to cheer on our Shield Champions the Orlando Pride.
This is just a sample of the people who bring our Downtown to life every day.
Of course, “Finding Yourself” has a second, more profound meaning.
It means finding your purpose and passion.
It means being surprised... discovering the unexpected.
And, it means understanding what truly matters to us.
This deeper meaning of “Find Yourself Downtown” is why we’re here today.
It’s why we continue to work together to reinvent, reimagine and reinvigorate our Downtown.
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Now... downtowns are never static, they’re always changing.
But, the rise of remote work accelerated that pace of change.
We’ve had to rethink our approach to everything from our office environment... to safety... to homelessness and housing... to our nightlife... to transportation.
The good news is... out of extraordinary challenges... came extraordinary resiliency.
I want to thank everyone here today... and everyone who believes as we do... in the absolute necessity of having a great Downtown!
What started as Project DTO 2.0... has become our “DTO Action Plan,” a shared road map to ensure our Downtown is a place where everyone can find themselves.
Today, we’re going to talk about the progress we’ve achieved in the early stages of bringing our plan to life.
We’ll also explore future phases of the plan... share some exciting images of what we’re building together... and show how our plan benefits everyone in our region.
Three “Big Ideas”
The core vision of our DTO Action Plan is that we’ll achieve transformational improvements by way of three “Big Ideas.”
First... Downtown Orlando is easy to get around in.
Second... Downtown Orlando is a park.
And, third... Downtown Orlando is for everyone.
Under each of these big ideas... are key activities that will drive our transformation.
Some are long-term, structural changes.
Others, are already taking shape right now.
Downtown Is Easy To Get Around In
We start with the big idea that Downtown is easy to get around in.
Orlando experienced its first true population boom in the 60’s and 70’s.
With that, came I-4 and a street network designed for that era.
But, the one-way Orange Avenue designed to quickly drive from Colonial to South Street 50 years ago... is the same Orange Avenue that today limits foot traffic and street-level business.
The identity and character of our urban core has become dominated by high-speed, through-traffic.
But, times change.
What people require from urban transit changes.
It’s long past time that we remake our streets, sidewalks, bike lanes, streetscapes, public transportation and other assets to better serve those who live in our community today.
It’s time we build a modern transit network that gives residents and businesses more opportunities to succeed.
That’s exactly what we’re going to do as part of our DTO Action Plan.
We’re going to give people a complete spectrum of ways to move about Downtown with ease, comfort and interest in what’s around them.
We’re going to establish a mobility network built around people-oriented streets for all the ways people use them.
Let’s be clear.
This is a big, long-term undertaking.
But, the results will help fuel a higher quality of life and create economic opportunity.
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The first step in our transit plan is unlocking the incredible potential of Magnolia Avenue.
Over the years, this prime stretch of road from South Street to the Courthouse has become a pass-through area with no identity and no soul.
We’re going to change that in a big way.
What’s known as “reverting” one-way streets back to 2-way has increased business and reduced crime in dozens of cities big and small.
We’ll start by doing the same on Magnolia.
Behind me on the screens, you’re getting the exclusive first look at what our new vision of Magnolia is... turning the now one-way street... into a two-way road with wide, walkable sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly amenities.
We’ll also invest in attracting restaurant and retail options.
We’ll infuse the area with artistic elements and small, unique park spaces.
The new Magnolia Avenue will be a destination where businesses want to be... and where residents and visitors want to spend their time and money.
It will be the place-making “spine” of Downtown Orlando.
It will be our version of Park Avenue or the Magnificent Mile.
Maybe we’ll have a naming contest.
Is “The Magic Mile” too obvious?
Mmmmm...
That’s why we hire professionals!
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We’ll apply a similar approach to Orange Avenue from Colonial to South Street.
Orange Avenue is our economic hub.
Yet, the corridor has basically become a backdrop for cars that race down the street during the day... and a weekend nightlife destination.
These two conflicting identities have limited the potential for what could be so much more.
Orange Avenue should be the embodiment of the “18-hour City.”
It should be an area that teems with energy and diverse crowds from morning until night.
We can make that happen by taking what’s currently three lanes of southbound traffic... and creating one northbound lane, one southbound lane, and a center turn lane with large, distinctive medians.
We’ll also reconfigure the entire street layout to allow for more curbside uses such as parking, pick-up and drop-off zones, outdoor dining areas, and more gathering spaces.
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Modernizing our network of roads, sidewalks, and bike trails is critical.
But, we also must expand and modernize the transit modes our residents and visitors use.
A transit planner in the 70’s could not have imagined a rideshare app... or electric buses.
But, that’s our reality.
We must embrace the transit technology everyone uses.
That starts with expanding areas for rideshare pick-up and drop off throughout our Downtown.
And, it’s the reason behind our RIDE DTO program.
Ride DTO is our new, on-demand ride service that will take you anywhere you want to go within Downtown’s borders for one-dollar per ride.
Door-to-door... in an electric vehicle... for a buck.
We know there are times of the year like today when strolling four blocks is so pleasant.
We also know that other times can be like walking on the surface of the sun.
Ride DTO makes navigating downtown easier than ever.
We’re giving everyone here a chance to use it, too.
If you would turn your attention to the screens, you’ll see a big QR code.
You can use this to download the Ride DTO app.
When you do it right now... you’ll also get three free rides.
And, guess what... our new Ride DTO vehicles are outside if you want to check them out.
But, after I finish the speech.
Downtown Is A Park
Modernizing our transit infrastructure feeds into, and strengthens, our second big idea.
Downtown is a park.
Why are parks so important?
Because people don’t just love parks... they love their park.
Parks create a sense of ownership and investment in a place.
They’re magnetic... creating reasons for people to linger for a diverse range of activities.
Prioritizing urban park space is not a new concept.
But, the way we’re doing it is new.
If you look at most American cities... they’ve focused on having one large green space.
Now, we have an incredible signature park at Lake Eola.
But, we also want to add park space in smaller, highly-creative ways with the ultimate vision of Downtown Orlando as one great park composed of a network of distinct parks.
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Central to this idea... is unlocking the potential of Lake Lucerne.
By show of hands.... how many of you pass by Lake Lucerne on a regular basis?
How many of you have thought about visiting it?
Of course you haven’t... because there’s not much to do.
Unless you want to admire the 408 up close.
Here’s the thing... Lake Lucerne is a sleeping giant.
It could be... and should be... so much more.
Lake Lucerne is a larger-than-life southern gateway into Downtown Orlando.
But, its significance has been forgotten as it serves as a backdrop for cars zipping along Orange Avenue.
We’re going to change that in a big way... and transform the lakefront into a leisure destination with jogging paths... an event lawn... shade structures... a boardwalk... and, of course, playgrounds.
It will be an iconic, people-focused gateway and a destination park.
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A short distance away... we’ll apply a similar formula to create more park space in a super creative way.
We’re calling it “The Canopy,” the four and a half block “urban oasis” we’re going to build underneath I-4 beginning early next year.
A handful of the world’s great cities have used boring infrastructure to create iconic civic spaces.
Think of the High Line Park in New York.
These spaces are a magnet for residents and visitors because they’re authentic and special.
They’re places people love to post pictures of on social media.
Orlando joins that prestigious club with the Canopy... the transformation of the bottom of an interstate highway into a leisure destination that fuses nature and technology.
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Right next to the Canopy is Church Street.
There’s a generation of Central Floridians who remember when Church Street was the place to gather... to celebrate... to make memories.
Who else has had a nickel beer at Rosie O’Grady’s on a Wednesday night?
As you see on the screens, we’re transforming what has become a pass-through-area with no identity... back into a true gathering place.
We’re going to turn this area into a festival street for all manner of events... and make it more appealing with large shade structures and easier access to the hospitality establishments there.
And, we’ll also activate the underutilized space next to the Church Street SunRail station.
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Close by, the new Orange Avenue will be a prime example of how we’ll use flexible park space to create civic character with 30 South Orange.
30 South Orange will be a pocket park that’s cozy by day, offering spaces for workers to eat lunch – but transforms into a nighttime destination.
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When it comes to parks... we have a beloved, iconic destination in Lake Eola.
But, we can’t rest on our laurels for what I believe is the best Downtown park in Florida!
That’s why we’ve invested in a master planning process to expand, modernize and upgrade the park over the next decade.
We’ve already acquired land to create a new southwest entrance to the park.
The early stages of that process will focus on upgrading the park’s basic infrastructure by modernizing its bathrooms and walking paths.
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Parks have evolved into dynamic hubs for community engagement, activity, innovation and for residents looking for unique experiences and a sense of place.
Celebrating and shining a light on Parramore’s community luminaries is the heart of our Creative Village park – Luminary Green.
New this year, we’re activating Luminary Green with a new monthly night market, a movie night and a weekly DTO Live performance.
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When we talk about the idea that all of Downtown is a park... we also believe every inch of Downtown should serve as an artistic canvas or a performance stage.
Quick question... anyone by chance see some unusually large, colorful birds recently?
The “Giant Pigeons of Downtown Orlando” from our friends at United Arts and Creative City Project certainly have people talking.
Okay, sure, some people loved them... some people hated them.
Here’s the thing... whatever your stance on giant pigeons... they showcased the power of art to be fun, unexpected, and had people “flocking” to downtown.
And, who would have imagined our pigeons would land us in Southern Living Magazine?
You don’t have to love art... to appreciate its value and how it adds unique character and soul to a place.
That’s why we’re working hard to provide opportunities to experience art and creativity every day and in every way.
Think about the Dr. Phillips Center, which celebrates 10 years since first opening their doors.
The Dr. Phillips Center has held more than 45-hundred performances with something for everyone.
There’s my favorite time of the year, when more than 80,000 school kids attend a performance in the Disney Theater or at Steinmetz Hall which serves as the home for our local arts groups.
And now, with Judson’s Live, the Dr. Phillips Center is a place for musical discovery, featuring renowned artists and local rising stars from a variety of genres.
One of my favorites is the new Nashville Nights.
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Whether it’s a DTO Live musical performance over lunch... coming downtown to watch muralists paint live over the weekend... or peeking down an alleyway to see something beautiful and unexpected...we want Downtown to be filled with experiences that “Surprise and delight” as my good friend, the late Ford Kiene loved to say.
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When we talk about the idea that Downtown is a park... we believe that definition also includes football fields... soccer pitches... basketball courts... or any venue for competition or events.
More than a decade ago, we boldly declared we were building a Downtown that could, and should, host any event in the world.
That dream... is reality.
Earlier this year, the Sports Business Journal ranked us as the number one city for attracting and hosting events.
The number one destination in the country!
I would like to thank our partners at GO Sports and Florida Citrus Sports for helping to make this a reality.
Key to this recognition is our ability to host multiple events at the same time.
This will be on display next month.
In one weekend, we will welcome nearly half a million people Downtown between our venues – including Orlando Magic, Orlando City, and Orlando Solar Bears regular season games... Justin Timberlake... the EDC Music Festival... and an Orlando Pride playoff game.
We’re also a true international destination for events.
We hosted the Olympic Marathon Trials earlier this year and just announced that we’ll once again host the Pro Bowl in February... the FIFA Club World Cup at Inter&Co and Camping World Stadium next summer... and NCAA men’s March Madness games at Kia Center in 2028.
Did you know... the Kia Center had its biggest year ever in 2024... with more than 250 events.
Maybe even more important was the diversity of these events.
From Bad Bunny... to high school graduations... to Monster Truck ... to Jelly Roll... there are reasons for everyone in our community to attend.
Not to be outdone... Camping World Stadium hosted more than a dozen major events this past year... from the Rolling Stones to international soccer matches and Pink later this year.
While these venues attract people from around the world, at the core they are here to serve our local community.
We witnessed this just last week, during Hurricane Milton.
Camping World Stadium served as a location for sandbag distribution, the fuel truck center for the State’s Emergency Management Department.
And, with two days’ notice we were able to host the USF football game because their home field was unusable.
I am proud that we filled more than 30,000 sandbags in just a day and a half at Camping World Stadium.
The Weather Channel even commented that the City’s sandbag operation was the best they’d ever seen.
Who knew we’d get national recognition for a sandbag operation!
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While we’re speaking of venues, I want to acknowledge that no one knows how important our venues are to our region more than Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.
Mayor Demings and the Orange County commission have been tremendous partners in helping to create and strengthen our venues.
Mayor Demings is here today.
We want to thank him for his leadership and partnership when it comes to investing in our venues and our Downtown as a sports and entertainment destination.
Downtown Is For Everyone
That brings us to our third big idea.
Downtown is for everyone.
Everyone who calls Central Florida home.
Everyone who visits.
Everyone who works here... or operates a business here.
It’s important that we understand how our first two big ideas flow into... and strengthen... our third big idea.
When we modernize transit...
When we transform our urban core into a giant park and living canvas...
We are creating a Downtown for everyone.
Why does this matter?
Let’s think about it through the lens of Downtown’s function as an economic engine and employment hub.
For decades downtown economies revolved around the demand for office space.
In the blink of an eye, our urban economy has shifted to one now focused on a demand for non-conventional offices and residential buildings that offer a total lifestyle, not merely a workplace.
Developers and employers tell us discussions about floor plans and office space... have been replaced with conversations about dog parks... and where workers can go for exercise or happy hour.
Developers and employers are talking about... you guessed it... art, parks, and ride-share pick ups.
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If we want to see what this evolution looks like in real time... it’s the Westcourt district that’s taking shape right across the street.
Westcourt is more than a development.
It's a destination that will bring new businesses and amenities to downtown including a Kimpton hotel, a residential tower, a dog park, an outdoor beer hall, a 12-story office tower, and ground floor retail spaces.
Its developer says its public spaces will be, "programmed to foster important social connections.”
Westcourt will offer events throughout the day such as early morning yoga classes and movie nights that create a vibrant community.
A constant stream of activity for residents, workers and visitors... will complement major live entertainment and sporting events.
We’re proud to share with you that Live Nation will operate Westcourt’s 3,500-seat entertainment venue.
This is a big deal.
Live Nation, the leading live entertainment company, recognizes the energy and growth that is happening right here in downtown.
This venue will be an important anchor for the Sports and Entertainment district.
The venue will host a wide range of events including concerts, comedy, community events, corporate meetings, special events, and more.
Thanks to Live Nation, residents and visitors will be able to see today’s top touring artists right here in downtown Orlando.
Perhaps more important, Live Nation’s investment in DTO is a show of confidence and validation in the strength of our Downtown.
As we all know, investment brings more investment.
Attention creates more attention.
This venue further contributes to DTO’s brand as a diverse entertainment destination.
And, we believe this is another, important step in crafting DTO’s brand as a premier entertainment destination.
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This evolving demand for total lifestyle as opposed to just office space is why we’re being aggressive in our effort to attract and grow ground floor businesses that activate our streets and provide amenities for everyone.
When it comes to downtown’s foodie scene, there is no denying it’s diverse and on the rise with new restaurants from German cuisine... to Bao... to Sushi Saint, which quickly earned a spot on the Michelin Guide's recommended list.
We’ve amended our incentive programs to attract the types of restaurants and retail businesses we know you want.
This includes Sparrow, the newest restaurant concept from Good Salt Restaurant Group that will open in the north quarter next year.
I’d like to recognize Jason and Sue Chin for their continued investment, which now includes a total of five restaurants with three downtown.
Susie and I can’t wait to try your new offerings because your restaurants like the Monroe and Reyes are some of our favorites.
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Did you know the number of residents in Downtown Orlando has increased more than 60% in the past two decades.
As we continue to build a premier urban neighborhood, we want to make sure we have housing for everyone, at all ages and stages of life and at all income levels.
That’s why we’re working with our partners to add market-rate units for professionals at the Society and MAA Robinson.
That’s why we’ve worked to add and preserve affordable and attainable housing units at The Beacon at Creative Village and Kinneret senior tower.
And, that’s why we’ve created opportunities for those who want to pursue home ownership through the creation of 19 new single family homes in Parramore.
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Having a downtown for everyone... means we also care for everyone.
That includes those experiencing homelessness.
Through Accelerate Orlando, the City continues to leverage $58 million in federal ARPA funds to further our efforts to reduce homelessness.
It’s part of our shared initiative to reduce the number of unsheltered residents on our streets by 50-percent by 2027.
In addition to our existing HOPE Team and Downtown Ambassador Program, we created two new teams of experts to help our unsheltered population.
This includes a new City Unsheltered Response Team, which consists of the service providers and city departments working together to proactively address encampments through a services-first approach.
It also includes a new Orlando Police Department Homeless Intervention Unit of specially trained officers, assisted by mental health specialists.
The goal of this unit is to connect the unsheltered to services they need, but also address illegal activities such as illegal camping, aggressive panhandling, open container or drug use and those with existing warrants for arrest.
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As we look ahead, one of our community’s greatest unmet needs is additional shelter space.
Our existing shelters are at capacity.
Sadly, many unsheltered residents have no alternative to sleeping on streets, in encampments or under bridges and in parks.
That’s why we must continue to explore all options available to address the need for additional overnight shelter space and we call on our Central Florida partners to do the same.
No one community or city should be responsible for providing services for the entire region.
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When we talk about creating a Downtown for everyone, this isn’t a risky proposition.
We know this because we’ve done it before.
We know what success looks like.
Think about Parramore’s Creative Village.
Only a few years ago it was empty space... and today it’s a thriving, diverse and dynamic live-work-learn-play neighborhood that is a magnet for innovative companies.
In the last five years... 11-thousand degrees have been generated from the UCF-Valencia Campus.
FIEA is now the world’s top-ranked graduate program for video game design... with a dedicated talent pipeline to Electronic Arts, which employs more than a thousand people here in Downtown.
Here’s a fun fact.
42 FIEA graduates were credited with helping create EA Sports College Football 25, which generated $500 million dollars in sales within two weeks of its launch.
Also, Madden NFL, developed right here in Creative Village, sold more than 1 million copies in its first week.
This is tremendous validation of the partnership between the City, EA, UCF Downtown and Creative Village.
Imagine the kind of opportunity that lies ahead with the Creative Village!
Closing
In closing today... we want to end with a word about partnership and collaboration.
Everything we’ve discussed today is possible because of partnership.
So, we’ve got one, final ask for you.
Continue to be our partner by helping keep Downtown clean and safe.
Keeping Downtown clean and safe is a mission our City proudly leads.
But, it’s also a job for all of us.
That’s why today, we are launching the DTO Clean and Safe app.
Through the app... everyone will be able to...easily report non-emergency maintenance and public safety concerns in downtown Orlando.
Whether it's an overflowing trash can, graffiti on public property, or a tree in need of trimming, this app allows you to quickly describe an issue.., pinpoint the location... and include a photo to enhance your service request.
This will allow us to quickly and efficiently take care of any areas of concern and ensure our downtown is clean and safe for everyone.
Speaking of partnership... we want to recognize a few specific partners.
- DOP and Jill Vaughn for hosting this event ever year and the work they do to move our Downtown forward.
- Our City Commissioners.
- Commissioner Jim Gray
- Commissioner Tony Ortiz
- Commissioner Robert Stuart
- Commissioner Patty Sheehan
- Commissioner Shan Rose
- Commissioner Bakari Burns
- You are the best partners any Mayor, anywhere could ever ask for.
- Members of our City family. The work you do for our residents is vital. The way you do it is awe-inspiring. It’s an honor to work alongside you every single day.
- I’d like to thank my wife Susie for her enduring love and support. She’s here today with my sons Trey and Drew and our daughter-in-law Hannah, along with our grandson Forrest!
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This has been a lengthy set of remarks.
Not because I enjoy talking... but because we want everyone to understand the magnitude and importance of what we’re bringing to life through our DTO Action Plan.
This is a big, ambitious plan that sets the stage for Downtown to own the future.
More important, it’s a plan to ensure that our Downtown is place where everyone can find themselves!
God bless America.
God bless the City of Orlando.
God bless Downtown Orlando.
Thank you!
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