Our community once dreamed that our Downtown Orlando would one day be the home for the companies and careers of the future, world-class venues, more places to live, play and learn and a vibrant arts and cultural scene.
All of those were once just “big ideas,” until hard work and partnership turned them into reality.
This week, I delivered my annual State of Downtown address, but the “big idea” that I focused on is not something new. Rather, it is a priority our community has been advancing for a long time – the transformation and revitalization of Parramore.
Read the speech | Watch the speech
Our shared dream is to return Parramore to a neighborhood of opportunity that celebrates its rich history… a place where learning, opportunities for the careers of tomorrow and sports and entertainment come together in one live, work, learn and play neighborhood for everyone.
Education
The vision starts with education and the new Parramore Community School for preschool to eighth graders. When the 14-acre campus opens next year, it will operate in compliment with our Parramore Kidz Zone and serve as the first part of the cradle-to-career pipeline. The next piece of that pipeline is the new University of Central Florida and Valencia College campus, which will serve more than 7,700 students. As our Creative Village continues to emerge, it will become a hub for high-tech, digital media and creative companies, connecting education with innovation and job creation.
Housing
In our vision for the future of Parramore, there is also an important synergy between education and housing. As we build a neighborhood where a new generation of Downtown residents are going to learn and work, we also must ensure that there are housing opportunities for everyone.
The evolution of Parramore is not something that’s going to happen in a vacuum. Every block, every street, every business and every home is important to Downtown’s prosperity and vitality.
That’s because we have one Downtown. One DTO.
– Buddy Dyer, Mayor
