General Items of Note
Mayor’s Matching Grants
The Mayor’s Matching Grant Program spring cycle is now open and accepting applications.
Many great projects that build community pride, address neighborhood needs, enrich our youth and improve education have been implemented through this grant program.
Mayor Buddy Dyer encourages eligible organizations to apply for a Mayor’s Matching Grant. For more information, visit cityoforlando.net/grants. The application deadline is Friday, May 1, 2015.
Orlando Citrus Bowl event
When we began the major reconstruction of the Orlando Citrus Bowl last year we were very clear that updating and enhancing the stadium would not only allow us to retain our signature annual events – the Florida Classic, Russell Athletic Bowl, Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl and Monster Jam – but it would help us attract more world-class high-profile events.
Just last week we announced that the Orlando Citrus Bowl will host the Mexican Men’s National Team against the Costa Rican Men’s National Team. The draw of the Mexican National Team is significant. There’s a reason the Mexican National Team was the inaugural event at the new Cowboys Stadium and the inaugural event at the new MetLife Stadium.
These are major sporting events which averages 50,000 fans per game in the U.S. And here in Orlando it will only further the soccer fever that has consumer our region.
Marquee events like this are obviously a thrill to experience in person but they also have a vital economic impact on the local economy. Between tourism, ticket sales, hotel accommodations, dining and entertainment, events like this continue to generate economic impact in our community.
Neighborhood Summit Recap
This past Saturday Mayor Dyer hosted his 10th annual Neighborhood and Community Summit. Commissioner Hill and Ings were also in attendance at this event.
We had over 300 neighborhood, arts and cultural, civic, community and faith-based leaders and volunteers at this full day of learning and networking.
The Mayor presented his Neighborhood Champion and Community Builder Awards to recognize some of our unsung heroes in our community who work day-in and day-out, on their own time to help us make our City stronger.
Mayor Dyer congratulated Faye Henderson, member of the Lake Orlando Homeowners Association in our Rosemont Neighborhood located in District 3 for receiving the Mayor’s Neighborhood Champion Award, and Harbor House of Central Florida for receiving the Mayor’s Community Builder Award.
Mayor Dyer also thanked all the staff who planned and participated in the Summit.
Items of Note
C #1 – The Yard
As our City continues to grow, it is great to have a new development that has been shaped by a local developer working with our neighborhoods and Main Streets to make our City a better place to live.
On Monday, City Council voted to approve a three phase master plan for The Yard, a mixed use complex in Ivanhoe Village. The project will include a 630 unit apartment buildings, 57,000 square feet of retail, a multi use trail for walking and biking that will connect to the Lake Ivanhoe trail and an outdoor amphitheater.
This property has long been identified as an area that we would like to see revitalization through quality development. And the City’s transportation planning and engineering teams are working with the developer to ensure that the proper transportation options are in place for not just vehicles but also pedestrians and bicyclists.
Tinker Field
On Monday the City Council had the second reading of the hearing for the historic landmark designation of Tinker Field. An important component to the historic designation are the plans for salvage and commemoration of the site. Commissioner Hill will lead this effort, working closely with the Well’s Built Museum to determine what the recognition should include and also to ensure we have community input.
The Council heard a brief presentation from Allen Johnson who gave them an overview of the salvage process and next steps in developing the commemorative recognition.
Kyle Shephard, Chief Assistant City Attorney, provided an overview of the slight modifications to the Tinker Field ordinance.
