City of Orlando Approves Two New Neighborhood Districts to Participate in the Orlando Main Street Program

September 22, 2011 - ORLANDO, FL - At Monday’s City Council meeting, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Orlando City Council voted to approve funding for the Semoran Business Partnership and the Church Street District to join the Orlando Main Street Program beginning October 1, 2011.

As part of the Orlando Main Street program, the Semoran Business Partnership and the Church Street District will receive financial assistance, technical support and training needed to restore their districts back to a center of activity and commerce.

The two new districts join the City’s five existing districts in the Orlando Main Street program – Audubon Park Garden District, College Park Partnership, Downtown South, Ivanhoe Village and Mills 50. In its first three years, Orlando Main Street Program successes include the investment of more than $138 million and the addition of more than 1,000 full and part-time jobs and 177 new businesses throughout its five districts.

“The Orlando Main Street Program has produced proven results,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “We are fortunate to have such strong neighborhood commercial corridors in Orlando driving our region’s economy by providing jobs, goods and services for residents.”

Both the Semoran Business Partnership and the Church Street District, which have an already-established membership base, have officially incorporated with the state of Florida, and have raised the necessary first-year funding match to participate in the Orlando Main Street Program.

The Semoran Business Partnership was created as a result of District 2 Commissioner Tony Ortiz’ vision to redevelop Semoran Boulevard. To achieve this, Commissioner Ortiz lead the creation of the Semoran Boulevard Vision Plan, a long-term guide for future development and improvements in the area.

“There is already an incredible synergy among businesses and residents along the Semoran corridor,” said Commissioner Ortiz. “The technical and financial assistance through the Main Street Program will only accelerate the revitalization efforts of the Semoran Business Partnership.”

The Semoran Business Partnership will also become the City’s first “Market Street,” a unique designation specifically designed for the City of Orlando for districts that do not necessary meet the historic preservation requirement for a Main Street designation.

In concert with the opening of the Amway Center, businesses along historic Church Street joined forces to create the Church Street District which is focused on enhancing the corridor through marketing, hosting special events such as car shows and art festivals and promoting the area’s unique establishments so Church Street is once again considered a vibrant commercial district that attracts visitors from across the globe to Downtown Orlando.

“With the variety of new and established businesses along Church Street, the area once again offers something for everyone,” said District 5 Commissioner Daisy W. Lynum. “I am excited to see the momentum among Church Street District merchants and I invite residents and tourists to visit Church Street to dine, shop and be entertained as we did more than 40 years ago.”

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