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| November 17, 2006- City News |
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Dear friends,
At this week’s City Council workshop, we discussed Phase Three of the Downtown Master Plan. I get excited every time we discuss the future of our downtown, because the potential before us is like no other in any city or region in the country.
Phase Three ties the planning efforts for all three community venues together and develops a plan to maximize the opportunity to continue the Downtown revitalization. The plan presents short-term actions needed to make our three community venues projects successful and opens the discussion with the community to explore the long-term goals, as these three public projects can have a significant impact on the development of the surrounding neighborhoods.
For instance, by combining careful location of the new venues with redesigned, curbless, “festival” streets, it will not only reconnect our downtown but will spur new residential and commercial development opportunities.
Starting at the proposed performing arts center just east of City Hall, the plan proposes creating a pedestrian-oriented area by running Magnolia Avenue between the various performance halls and closing it to vehicles during performances. Not far away, on the block between Church Street and South Street and Division Avenue and Hughey Avenue, the new events center would open up onto a transformed Church Street that would overflow with pedestrians during events as well. Church Street, serving as a “grand entertainment boulevard,” would continue east to the renovated Citrus Bowl, where pre-game festivities will be moved to the Church Street side in the existing Lake Lorna Doone Park. This not only creates an exciting front door space for the Citrus Bowl, it also creates an enhanced park for nearby residents.
The City has a unique development opportunity where the current TD Waterhouse Centre now stands. There is enormous potential in how our community transforms this valuable piece of urban area. A concept team is working to develop a "Creative Village," mixing high-tech business with residential, office and park space anchored by the UCF School of Film and Digital Media and Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy. Imagine Terry Avenue running through the heart of the village, providing an opportunity for mixed use residential and office developments along this main street with a civic building as a landmark focal point within the center of the Village.
This Master Plan allows us to look at more than just the aesthetics of the building but instead how these community venues can enhance the neighborhoods by stimulating new housing opportunities, commercial development and activity hubs for gathering with friends and family.
We truly have an opportunity to be one of the greatest cities of the 21st century, and through citizen participation in this process, we can. If you would like to view the presentations. If you would like to view the City Council workshop presentations, visit cityoforlando.net.
Sincerely,
Buddy Dyer
Mayor
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National Night Out
Orlando was once again selected as a National Award Winner for its outstanding participation in this summer’s “23rd Annual National Night Out” crime, drug and violence prevention program. Orlando received third place in our category, competing against other cities such as Modesto, California and St. Paul, Minnesota. At this summer’s event, 45 parties were held in Orlando and 279 block captains participated, along with almost 7,000 citizens, setting a new record for Orlando.
Neighborhood Commercial District Revitalization Program
The City Council voted to implement the Neighborhood Commercial District Revitalization Program Mayor Dyer unveiled during his State of the City address. The program will revitalize blighted business corridors to attract new economic investment and development, while providing financial assistance to commercial property and business owners to make physical improvements to their sites.
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Last week, the Safe Orlando Task Force held their fifth meeting. During this meeting the subcommittees – law enforcement, prevention and re-integration—presented initial recommendations to the entire group. The group is now doing cost analysis and further research to prioritize recommendations. At this meeting, Mayor Buddy Dyer provided an update on an important step forward in our efforts to reduce violent crime. On November 1, Orlando hosted the Florida Urban Partnership – comprised of mayors and police chiefs from Florida’s seven largest cities – for a Safe Cities Summit. For the first time ever, police chiefs and sheriffs from Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Hialeah and Fort Lauderdale met to update each other on their efforts to combat violent crime through best practices and strategies that are producing measurable results. One of these successful programs is a gun bounty program, providing rewards to people who provide information on stolen or unregistered firearms. Several cities have had success with this program, and the Orlando Police Department is looking into implementing a similar program in our area using the existing Crimeline.
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Beardall Senior Center Birthday Bash
On Friday, November 17, Mayor Dyer attended the 20th Anniversary of the Mayor William Beardall Senior Center. The Beardall Senior Center is a historic downtown building that was once the Delaney Elementary School in the 1920s. Along with the festivities, clubs and classes that meet at the center held an expo to highlight programs available at the center.
Teach in at Howard Middle School
On Tuesday, November 14, Mayor Dyer participated in Howard Middle School’s Teach-in. The Mayor spoke with sixth graders at the school about his job and how a good education is important to their future careers.
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The Florida Classic football game between Bethune-Cookman College and Florida A&M University returns this Saturday, November 18, at 3:30 p.m. at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. Parking will be limited at the Citrus Bowl, so fans are encouraged to park downtown for $5 in Lot 9 and 10 (under I-4), the Church Street Garage and the Garland Street lot and use the free shuttle service located between Central Boulevard and Pine Street near Garland Avenue. Shuttles will drop off at Nashville Avenue and Church Street – one block east of the stadium. For more information, visit the City’s Parking Division at www.cityoforlando.net/parking.
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As part of Holiday Lights Orlando, Mayor Buddy Dyer is challenging downtown businesses to help collect gifts for the XL 106.7’s Baby DJ Fund. Set up a collection box in your business and you can promote your business on the Doc and Johnny morning show. Bring your donated gifts to the Holiday Lights Orlando event at City Hall Plaza on December 5 from 5:15 to 7 p.m. and put them under the tree and your business will be announced at the event.
Citizens can drop off toys at any of the downtown fire stations. Businesses wishing to participate can contact Gert.Garman@cityoforlando.net or visit CityofOrlando.net for further information.
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Residential Customers
On Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, there will be no residential collection of garbage, recycling or yard waste. These homes will be served on their next regular collection day.
On Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, City crews will provide regular garbage, yard waste and recycling service on this day.
Commercial Customers
The City's commercial customers will receive normal scheduled garbage service on both Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving.
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Mayor's Message
