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| August 25, 2006- City News |
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Dear friends,
This week, we took another important step in making our community venues a reality. The Orlando Performing Arts Center (OPAC) presented their proposed plans to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners. In the upcoming weeks, presentations regarding the events center and arena will also take place.
In the past, development of regional amenities such as our international airport and internationally recognized convention center have built community pride and helped define the region. These three community venues will help define our future by building stronger neighborhoods, becoming a foundation for improving educational opportunities for our children, providing a better quality of life for residents and growing our economy with new jobs and revenue.
This vision is a shared one, with the City of Orlando and Orange County at the forefront, supported by residents throughout the region, the business community, arts and cultural groups and the tourism industry. Though the residents of Orange County will clearly benefit, these will truly be amenities enjoyed by residents from across the region and visitors.
We will be required to have this regional mentality if we are to move forward to make our vision a reality. From a funding standpoint, it will require a historic level of partnership between Orange County and the City–and I want to recognize Mayor Crotty for his leadership and dedication in forging that partnership. The combined financing capacity of the City and County, coupled with private and state sources, is sufficient to address the funding needs of the three projects.
The City has presented a potential $470 million investment of land, infrastructure and construction funding towards projects that will infuse nearly $10 billion into our local economy. The County has committed one-half of the sixth cent and a portion of the first five cents of the Tourist Development Tax. Now, we must work together to create the financing structure using our joint financial strength that will make our region’s vision a reality. Our residents want and expect us to work together as a team, and Mayor Crotty and I are committed to that process.
We cannot just focus on the bricks and mortar of building community venues. We are embarking on a process to transform neighborhoods, secure our region’s economic vitality, create new educational opportunities and improve our residents’ quality of life.
This vision has already begun to take place with the Burnham Institute’s decision to come to Orlando. Quality of life is an important factor when companies expand or relocate, and our vision for community venues shows that we are committed to making this a better place to live, work and play.
I want to thank our City Council for their continued support of this vision for new and updated community venues and recognize the venue partners for working to make this vision a reality; specifically, the Orlando Performing Arts Center, Inc, Florida Citrus Sports, the Orlando Magic and the Orlando Predators. Also, I want to highlight the many individuals and groups that have come together to support this effort, including: Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty and the Board of County Commissioners, our tourism industry leaders such as Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, the Central Florida Sports Commission, United Arts of Central Florida, the University of Central Florida and various community groups as well as local residents.
Ours is a strong coalition ... highlighting again how far our region has come and the great future that lies ahead.
Buddy Dyer
Mayor
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On Wednesday, the City of Orlando received exciting news that the Burnham Institute for Medical Research is locating their east coast headquarters within the City limits at Lake Nona. The opportunities presented by Burnham's presence in Orlando – along with the City's vision to diversify the economy – is now becoming a reality.
 Nearly a decade ago, the City made an $80 million investment to build roads and infrastructure at Lake Nona. This announcement is a testament to this community's investment, planning and collaboration, solidifying a biomedical/life sciences cluster in the City of Orlando.
Their expansion to the City of Orlando will play a critical role in enabling Burnham to make further breakthrough discoveries that could conquer disease and further their research related to Alzheimer's disease, heart disease and several forms of cancer. For citizens, the new east coast headquarters for Burnham will not only infuse billions into our local economy, but will provide additional healthcare options for our growing population.
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An article in the August 21 edition of Business Week featured Orlando’s growing computer simulation companies. In “Orlando: A Real World of Simulation Shops,” the magazine called Orlando, “the epicenter of the world's biggest cluster for computer simulation and modeling, involving more than 3,700 companies that employ 46,000. The $2.6 billion sector has helped diversify the economy of Central Florida, which now has the highest job growth in the U.S.”
The article can be viewed online at http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_34/b3998449.htm
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Storefront Improvement Program and Façade Grant Program
Building appearance plays an important role in creating a sense of place. An attractive building façade directly contributes to the overall vitality of Downtown Orlando. To help promote Parramore’s revitalization, the City recently added a new façade grant program. Eligible commercial properties can receive an 80 percent matching grant for up to $40,000 through the Storefront Improvement Program.
The existing façade grant area runs on Orange Avenue from Livingston Street to Church Street, west on Church Street to Parramore Avenue and South on Parramore Avenue to Long Street. It provides a matching grant up to $20,000 or 50 percent of construction costs provided by the Orlando Community Redevelopment Agency.
For more information on the Storefront Improvement Program’s Parramore area, contact 407-246-2708. For the Façade Grant Program, contact 407-246-3576.
Trash Pick Up on Labor Day
The City will be picking up trash, yard waste and recycling on Labor Day, Monday, September 4, for residents who have Monday collection days.
City Vehicle Auction August 26
The City of Orlando will hold a vehicle auction on Saturday, August 26, at 9 a.m. Cars, trucks, vans, trailers, tractors and heavy equipment will be on sale. Viewing is available Saturday, August 26 at 8 a.m. before the auction begins.
The auction is located at 1010 S. Westmoreland Drive, one block East of South Orange Blossom Trail at the corner of Westmoreland Drive and Gore Avenue. Visit http://www.cityoforlando.net/admin/purchasing/auction.htm or call 407-246-2297 for more information.
Mayor’s Neighborhood Matching Grant
Help to improve the quality of life in your neighborhood with the Mayor's Neighborhood Matching Grants (MNMG) program. The City of Orlando has awarded more than $400,000 since this program was established in 1994.
The deadline for the 2007 Mayor's Neighborhood Matching Grant is Friday, September 29, 2006.
There are certain requirements for the grant and an application must be filled out.
To qualify for the Mayor's Neighborhood Matching Grants program, the value of the neighborhood association's contribution must equal the total amount being requested from the City of Orlando. In order to qualify, your neighborhood association must match the city's contribution with volunteer time, in-kind donations of goods and services and/or financial contributions. Partnerships with local businesses, religious institutions, social service agencies and other community resources are encouraged.
For applications or information, contact Christine Lewis, at 407-246-3189 or christine.lewis@cityoforlando.net.
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Take advantage of the many fabulous restaurants in our area during Orlando’s Magical Dining Month this September. Participating restaurants are offering fixed price three-course menus for $17 at lunch and $29 at dinner to Orlando residents. Reservations are being accepted now – don’t forget to mention Orlando’s Magical Dining Month. Go to orlandomagicaldining.com for a list of participating restaurants and enjoy.
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Mayor's Message
