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| September 29, 2006- City News |
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Dear friends,
Today, September 29, 2006, is a red letter day for our City’s history and future. In a true spirit of cooperation, we have asked ourselves, “What do we want to be?” And, we have answered that question. The City, County and venue partners have forged a dedicated partnership to fund all three venues in our downtown.
This initiative is a Triple Crown for Downtown – creating an entertainment and cultural corridor that will run from the new Performing Arts Center across from City Hall to a renovated Citrus Bowl. And, I am pleased to announce that we have a signed contract for the property where our region’s new events center will be located at the corner of Hughey and Church.
Downtown Orlando is undergoing a renaissance that few cities in Florida - or for that matter our country - have experienced. Just look around, there’s new residential and office structures going up everywhere. For the rebirth to be complete, you need to ensure that your City is a center for the arts, entertainment and sports … and today we are doing just that.
Three and a half years ago I walked down Orange Avenue having been elected the night before to serve as the Mayor of Orlando. As I walked I thought to myself, we must take the steps necessary to ensure a vibrant Downtown for years to come.
I also recognized that it would require putting aside the shortsighted goals of the politics of the day and moving toward compromise and coalition building with our County government. Perhaps at another time this goal would not be achieved. That is not the case today and our region is the better for it.
After I was sworn in that February morning, Mayor Crotty was one of first people to greet me. He took me aside and said he was ready to work together. He was ready to lead together. Without his leadership and his willingness to help us build a strong urban core that benefits not just the City, not just the county, but also the entire region, we would not be able to make this announcement.
As we unveil the product of this partnership, it should not be lost on any of our citizens that the process that brought about the outcome is as remarkable as the end result. Our citizens should take pride that their county and city governments are working together to help change the face of our economy, our City and our region. Orlando will be a better place to live.
Finally, let me just say a few words to those who have suggested we trim our sails and our dreams as we have navigated this process. I believe this announcement points out that yes it is easier to settle for good, but even better for our citizens when we can do things right … achieving GREAT results for our region.
As I have said many times, in many places across our City and as I have reminded our staff time and time again, happy are those who dream dreams and have the courage to make them come true.
So, to all of you who have joined with us in dreaming great things for our City … we’ve done it; we’re making our dreams come true.
Sincerely,
Buddy Dyer
Mayor
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This Saturday, as part of Mayor Dyer’s Partnership for Public Safety Education Campaign, Orlando Healthcare, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, E-Pass, the Expressway Authority and MIX 105.1 will host a Safety Safari in Orlando Fashion Square Mall’s center court. Hosted from noon until 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 30, the event will provide parents and children with valuable safety and injury prevention information.
At Saturday’s Safety Safari, the first 100 children will be fitted with free bicycle helmets with the assistance of the Safe Kids Coalition of Orange County. The Orlando Fire Department and Orlando Police Department will also be handing out important information on child safety. Parents attending this event will also have the opportunity to register to win four family tickets to see the upcoming Sesame Street Live Super Grover Show.
Take the opportunity to teach your children the importance of safety and learn something yourself at the Safety Safari. You can even catch it after the Stunt Junkie event at Lake Eola Park Saturday morning.
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The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) selected Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer as the National Government Business Advocate Winner for 2006.
 This award was presented on Saturday, September 23 during the USHCC 27th Annual National Convention & Business Expo at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, an active member of the USHCC, nominated Mayor Dyer for this award based on his continuous contribution to the Hispanic business community of Central Florida. Mayor Dyer was instrumental in the creation of two highly successful programs: the Hispanic Chamber Business Police Academy and HOLA Orlando Jobs. In addition, the City of Orlando, under the leadership of the Mayor, is involved in various programs and events administered by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando.
The USHCC presents their Hispanic Leadership and Business Excellence Awards each year to extraordinary and visionary government advocates who have contributed to and attained exemplary excellence and leadership in the business arena and provided outstanding support to local and state Hispanic chambers of commerce. The awards also pay tribute to the unparalleled achievements and innovations that have significantly empowered the U.S. Hispanic community.
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 Deputy Chief Val Demings, Orlando Police Department Patrol Bureau Commander, was one of 260 law enforcement officers who graduated from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia.
Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy Program, held at the FBI Academy, offers 10 weeks of advanced investigative, management and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies. On the average these officers have 19 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.
Training for the program is provided by FBI Academy instructional staff, special agents and other staff members holding advanced degrees and internationally recognized in their field.
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 Yes, it’s true – Stunt Junkies is coming to Lake Eola Park. If you thought a wakeboarder jumping over the fountain was a rumor, it’s not. On September 30, Stunt Junkies, a show on the Discovery Channel, will spotlight professional wakeboarder J.D. Webb jumping over the Lake Eola fountain and the science and mechanics behind the jump.
Stunt Junkies is an immersive, weekly series in which the world's best extreme sports athletes, designers and stunt fabricators execute one unbelievable, hair-raising stunt.
Plan to be at the park early to view the stunt. The stunt is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m., but J.D. Webb will be practicing early and you can watch him live. J.D. will be available to sign autographs between 12:10 and 12:30 p.m. Plan to pack a lunch or visit one of the restaurants surrounding the lake and enjoy beautiful Lake Eola Park! Mayor Dyer will also be there to cheer on J.D. and to present him with a gift to commemorate this special day! Don't miss this unique event experience!
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 On Tuesday, September 26, Mayor Dyer attended the Get Around Town Team’s meeting featuring “The Charlotte Story”. This presentation from the City of Charlotte’s transportation staff focused on the evolution of Charlotte’s transportation and land use vision and how that city integrated transit into the fabric of a growing downtown.
Former City of Orlando transportation planning staff member Jim Kimbler provided an overview of the evolution of Charlotte's transportation and land use vision. He shared lessons learned, land use strategies and center city transportation policies that create a livable and memorable center city of distinct neighborhoods connected by unique infrastructure. In addition, City staff provided an update on the Orlando Downtown Transportation Plan and how this is incorporated into the City’s master plan for the Downtown core and community venues.
The presentation was organized by the Get Around Town Team, or GAT, a group that has met for two years and is an information source for those who have an interest in downtown transportation.
Quiznos Grand Opening
 On Thursday, September 28, Mayor Dyer cut the ribbon for Quiznos' grand opening in the CityView complex in the Parramore neighborhood.
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Mayor Buddy Dyer will deliver his State of Downtown Address to local business leaders and members of the community on Wednesday, October 4 at the Ballroom at Church Street. Read his address or view it after October 4th on CityofOrlando.net. The Downtown Address will also be broadcast on WMFE Channel 24 on Sunday, October 8 at 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 15 at noon. [no Orange TV dates at this time.
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The City of Orlando’s Transportation Department will hold a workshop related to the Downtown Orlando Transportation Plan on Thursday, October 5 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Residents and businesses are invited to participate in the review before the plan is finalized. The workshop will be held in the Overlook Room on the ninth floor of City Hall at 400 S. Orange Avenue. For more information, contact Malisa McCreedy at 407-246-3347 or view the Downtown Orlando Transportation Plan Newsletter.
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 Applications to participate in the City of Orlando Veterans Day Parade are now available. The November 11 parade honors our nation’s veterans and those serving in the military. Applications must be turned in by October 13 and space is limited. Download an application now and be a part of this annual event.
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On Monday, September 11 and Monday, September 18, the City Council held two public workshops related to community venues. On September 11, Glatting Jackson, a community planning and design firm based in Orlando, presented phase two of the master planning process. This process looks at how the community venues impact everything from property values, traffic flows and parking, to where people walk and shop Downtown.
Additionally, the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission shared a detailed overview of the important economic and quality of life benefits that community venues in Downtown Orlando represent. During the three to four year construction period alone, the proposed community venues are estimated to generate approximately $1.1 billion in total economic output and would support approximately 10,800 jobs.
On September 18, the City, the venue partners – the Orlando Performing Arts Center, Inc., Florida Citrus Sports, the Orlando Magic and other arena tenants -- provided citizens and City Council a chance to learn more about the specific recommendations to enhance community venues and what each venue means to the community. To view the individual presentations by Glatting Jackson or the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission or to view a replay of the workshops online, visit CityofOrlando.net.
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Mayor's Message
