Orlando’s Great Future ORLANDO GOOD-TO-KNOW SISTER CITIES PHONE NUMBERS COMMUNITY VENUES FLORIDA Building Permits 407.246.2271 Curitiba, Brazil Orlando’s Community Venues project is CITRUS BLUEPRINT Employment Office transforming the City’s cultural, arts and Guilin, China 407.246.3721 entertainment districts. Led by the recent BOWL STADIUM Seine-et-Marne, France Business Assistance 407.246.2821 opening of the state-of-the-art Amway Center, The City just completed $10 million in the Downtown Orlando is home to world- Reykjanesbaer, Iceland City Job Line 407.246.2178 first phase of planned enhancements at the class sporting, entertainment, cultural and Urayasu, Japan community events. Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium in the Fall of Code Enforcement 407.246.4444 ORLANDO GOVERNMENT 2010. Improvements included structural Monterrey, Mexico Community Affairs 407.246.2169 Orlando has a Mayor-Commission form ORLANDO... work, lighting and technology that will allow Orenburg, Russia AMWAY the Citrus Bowl to remain competitive in of government. Six City Commissioners Valladolid, Spain Housing 407.246.2708 attracting world-class events and Bowl Games. are elected at-large from their respective CENTER Currently, the stadium is home to the annual Mayor’s Business Assistance Team Tainan City, Taiwan districts to four-year terms. The Mayor The $380 million, Capital One and Champs Sports Bowls, Florida ORLANDO EVOLVES 407.246.2222 18,500 seat Amway Classic Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida A&M is the formal representative of the City. Office of Communications and Center is home to the football game and other events. Orlando has gained notoriety from local NEW WORLD CITY NBA’s Orlando Magic Neighborhood Relations 407.246.3104 The future full renovation will include: theme parks and attractions that annually CITY LEADERS basketball team, Parks 407.246.2283 • Demolition and reconstruction of the draw more than 50 million people from City of Orlando Mayor, Buddy Dyer Orlando Predators arena football team and the existing lower bowl. Orlando Solar Bear hockey team. Additionally, • Spectator seating totaling at least 70,000 seats. throughout the world. The area has a Recreation 407.246.4300 [email protected] the Amway Center hosts national sporting • 4,000 club seats and approximately 10 new suites. History of great deal to offer visitors and residents Phone: 407.246.2221 • A 40,000 square foot Stadium Downtown Orlando Information Center events and concerts. alike, from year-round outdoor activities to • The most technologically-advanced events center Club/Banquet space. 407.254.INFO (4636) District 1 Commissioner, Jim Gray CITY FACTS various cultural institutions. Orlando has in the nation with the country’s largest arena The vision for the new Community Venues The City 201 S. Orange Ave., Ste. 102 [email protected] videoboard. a $15.7 billion modeling-and-simulation • Facility opened in October 2010. was led by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: 407.246.2001 represents a unique $1.1 billion public/ Beautiful industry, a well-established and growing private investment. While many American digital media industry, as well as a WEBSITES District 2 Commissioner, Tony Ortiz Originally known as Jernigan, Orlando’s history DR. PHILLIPS CENTER cities have built these types of venues, none burgeoning life sciences cluster. Through [email protected] have developed them all at once as a single dates back to 1838, when the U.S. Army built City of Orlando FOR PERFORMING ARTS economic development efforts, Orlando’s Phone: 407.246.2002 comprehensive project. Fort Gatlin, south of the present day Orlando cityoforlando.net Downtown has been reinvigorated, District 3 Commissioner, Robert F. Stuart City limits, to protect settlers from attacks by Economic Development solidifying its status as the economic, [email protected] THE BLUEPRINT Indians. By 1840, the small community of cityoforlando.net/economic cultural and business center of the region. Phone: 407.246.2003 Beyond access to the buildings themselves, the Jernigan grew up around the Fort, named after Downtown Development Board entire Central Florida region is benefiting from Orlando has a bright economic future District 4 Commissioner, Patty Sheehan the family that established the first settlement in downtownorlando.com the projects through THE BLUEPRINT, a City- ahead. From Lake Nona’s Medical City [email protected] led effort to ensure residents have access to the area. A Jernigan post office was established Visit Orlando to our Downtown resurgence and the Phone: 407.246.2004 jobs and economic development opportunities in 1850. visitorlando.com related to the projects. Creative Village with UCF’s Center for District 5 Commissioner, Regina I. Hill Six years later, the settlement began to expand Emerging Media, the Florida Interactive Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Construction on the Dr. Phillips Center for In the midst of a global recession, many [email protected] northward and the community’s name was orlandoairports.net Performing Arts is under way and when contractors and small businesses credited the Entertainment Academy and House of Phone: 407.246.2005 officially changed to Orlando. The U.S. Post complete will provide Central Florida a unique, Amway Center project with helping keep their Moves, Orlando will continue to diversify Metro Orlando Economic world-class destination to showcase and Office adopted the name change in 1857 and District 6 Commissioner, Samuel B. Ings company afloat during tough times. More its economy by attracting these high-value Development Commission support the performing arts. than 120 local companies had contracts on the town of Orlando was incorporated in 1875. [email protected] The Dr. Phillips Center will include: and high-wage jobs that will drive the orlandoedc.com the Amway Center and minority and women- It had 85 inhabitants. Phone: 407.246.2006 • A 2,700 seat amplified hall for large-scale future of Central Florida and grow the next productions such as Broadway, concerts owned companies received nearly $95 million and traveling shows. in contracts. The construction of the Amway The most common story about the origin of the generation economy. • A 1,700 seat acoustical hall for symphony, Center has helped to stabilize unemployment City’s name is that it was named after Sentinel opera and ballet. For copies of this brochure contact the but is also part of a larger strategic plan to Orlando Reeves, who was killed while trying to • A 300 seat community theater for dance, revitalize Downtown Orlando. City of Orlando Economic Development Department music and education. warn his fellow soldiers of an impending Indian at 407.246.2821 or Like the Amway Center, • Outdoor plaza, performance and attack. Orlando Reeves was laid to rest on the 400 S. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801 educational space. the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts southeast side of Lake Eola Park. Orlando is... and future renovations Orlando is an international, vibrant City with a creative, to the Florida Citrus diverse and balanced economy that provides a high Bowl Stadium will be A New World City constructed with a quality of life for our citizens, businesses and visitors. commitment to THE for the 21st Century. BLUEPRINT. -Mayor Buddy Dyer Easily accessible to the entire globe, Orlando Orlando is... MAJOR CITY OF Transportation boasts a world-class international airport that is consistently recognized for excellence in customer ORLANDO EMPLOYERS service. Orlando sits at the crossroads of Florida’s Bank of America Corporation a great place for highway network and is in close proximity to three Bright House Networks deep water ports. business Connextions CNL Financial Group Orlando consistently ranks as a leading Delta Airlines Orlando is... place to conduct business. Orlando Florida Hospital Frito-Lay an internationally known, creative, vibrant City has no personal income tax and offers HD Supply a low cost of doing business. The City JetBlue Orlando – one of the world’s fastest-growing cities – is known as the center of a dynamic Mears Transportation Group metropolitan area of more than two million people and is a hub for digital media and bio is at the crossroads of Florida and its Nephron Pharmaceuticals medicine. Orlando has the 13th-busiest airport in the U.S. with flight connections all over Downtown is the region’s financial Oracle Corporation Orlando Health the world. Nearly one in every five adult Orlando resident was born outside the continental and business hub. Orlando’s location U.S. Orlando has something for everyone, visitors and residents. Downtown Orlando is Orlando Magic provides easy access to markets in all alive with entertainment, restaurants, recreation and vibrant nightlife. It has beautiful Orlando Sentinel Communications historic districts, a Downtown Arts District and Lake Eola Park and fountain. Orlando is directions. In Orlando, you’ll find a pro- Southwest Airlines SunTrust Banks, Inc. warm and sunny. It’s perfect for outdoor activities, such as biking, boating, swimming, ARTS AND CULTURE SPECIAL EVENTS SUNRAIL active, business-friendly government Universal Orlando Resort fishing, kayaking and hiking. Beaches are less than a one hour drive away. Orlando offers Amway Center: Sunday Lake Eola Farmer’s Market: Year Round As Central Florida booms with population and economic growth, Central Florida’s leaders have and attractive partnership programs. Wells Fargo & Company amwaycenter.com a winning combination of economic, cultural and educational opportunities. WMMO Downtown Concert Series: Quarterly joined in an historic effort to advance a commuter rail project that will reduce traffic congestion Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade: January and advance environmentally-friendly, regional transportation for residents and workers. MAJOR METRO orlandovenues.com Capital One Bowl: January SunRail, Central Florida’s commuter rail transit project, will run along a 61-mile stretch of ORLANDO EMPLOYERS City Arts Factory: Blues-B-Q: Winter existing rail freight tracks in Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Osceola counties. SunRail will have EDUCATION: DISTINCTIONS American Automobile Association (AAA) orlandoslice.com Fast Facts Barry University Fiesta in the Park at Lake Eola: Spring, Fall 17 stations, including four stops in Downtown Orlando. Citylab-Orlando, a program of the Forbes named Orlando the nation’s ninth best Darden Restaurants Mad Cow Theatre: Florida Music Festival: Spring EA Sports Tiburon Studio madcowtheatre.com The 31-mile first phase of SunRail will serve 12 stations, linking DeBary to Orlando. Phase LOCATION: University of Florida’s School of Architecture metro area for minority entrepreneurs. Orlando Fringe Festival: May DeVry University Lockheed Martin Mennello Museum of Art: I service is expected to begin in 2014. Phase II will serve five additional stations, north to City is 111.2 square miles and covers Forbes.com ranked Orlando the fourth cleanest Juneteenth and Jazz Music Festival: June Florida A&M University College of Law city in the United States. Northrop Grumman Corporation mennellomuseum.org DeLand and south to Poinciana. Phase II service is expected to begin in 2015. a total of 71,140 acres. With its Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences Fireworks at the Fountain: July Progress Energy The Mezz and Abbey: central location in the region and the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy Orlando was the fastest-growing large city in the Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Inc. artfulevents.com Florida Classic: Fall Downtown Orlando SunRail Stops: state, Orlando is easily accessible Florida State University Medical School state of Florida between 2000 and 2010 according Seaworld Orlando Inc. Orlando Film Festival: Fall Florida Hospital Station • LYNX Central Station from Interstate 4, the Florida Turnpike, Full Sail Real World Education to the U.S. Census. Orlando Ballet: Siemens Orlando Food & Wine Festival: Fall Church Street Station • Orlando Health/Amtrak Station the East/West Expressway and the Orlando Tech Entrepreneur Magazine named Orlando as one of orlandoballet.org Calle Orange: October Beachline. Rollins College the “10 Best Cities to Start a Business.” Tupperware Corporation Orange County Regional History Center: SunRail Car Amenities: University of Central Florida (UCF) United Parcel Service thehistorycenter.org Come Out with Pride: October Forbes.com named Orlando one of America’s ten Bicycle Storage • Luggage Racks •Power Outlets to All Seats POPULATION: (2nd largest university in U.S.) Walt Disney World Veteran’s Day Parade: November UCF Center for Emerging Media coolest cities, citing Orlando’s number of nightlife, Orlando Museum of Art: Rest Rooms • Wireless Internet 238,300 as of 2010 cultural and recreational outlets. omart.org Holiday Lights Orlando: December 248,917 (2015 projection) UCF College of Medicine University of Florida Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra: Fresh from Florida Parade: December Metro Orlando: 2,134,411 as of 2010 Orlando ranked 28th in the nation when it comes to Research & Academic Center at Lake Nona orlandophil.org Orlando Christmas Parade: December 57.6% Caucasian economic clout according to the Orlando Business University of Phoenix Journal. Orlando Repertory Theatre: Half Marathon & 5K: December 28.1% African American Valencia Community College 25.4% Hispanic Kiplinger.com named Orlando one of America’s orlandorep.com Champs Sports Bowl: December 3.8% Asian/Pacific Islander RECREATION: “2011 Comeback Cities.” Orlando Science Center: Community Kwanzaa Celebration: December 5th largest metropolis in the 115 Public Parks J.D. Power and Associates ranked Orlando osc.org Southeastern United States 89 Handicap Accessible Park Locations International Airport one of the top four best Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival: *Data from the 2010 U.S. Census 21 Community Centers airports in the United States. shakespearefest.org NBA Orlando Magic LYMMO Forbes.com ranked Orlando 35th on their list of Gallery at Avalon Island: AFL Orlando Predators INCOME: America’s Safest Cities. galleryatavalonisland.com LYMMO, Downtown Orlando’s free bus circulator operating in dedicated lanes, carries an average Median Household $45,586 MLB Spring Training of more than one million passengers per year. LYMMO travels a three-mile loop through the Per Capita $26,752 USL PRO Orlando City Soccer Club Lions Bizjournals ranks Orlando as the seventh “Best SAK Comedy: heart of Downtown Orlando, with service every five minutes during the morning and afternoon ECHL Orlando Solar Bears Place to Start a Small Business.” sak.com rush hours and every 10 minutes in the evenings and on weekends. CLIMATE: Harry P. Leu Gardens According to Yahoo!, Orlando is a “Great City for The Wells’ Built Museum of African American History & Culture: Annual average temperature is 73°. Dubsdread Golf Course Salary Growth,” in large part due to our emerging Construction will soon begin on two additional LYMMO routes, the Downtown East/West More than 250 miles of bikeways Medical City. pastinc.org Summers average in the high 80s and route to connect Thornton Park with Parramore, and the Parramore route which will better More than 100 top-rated golf courses in Metro Orlando United Arts of Central Florida: winters average in the low 70s. Orlando ranked as the 4th most popular city, based Less than one hour from Atlantic Coast Beaches unitedarts.cc connect Parramore with the Central Business District, LYNX Central Station, SunRail and the on where people want to live, according to Pew Creative Village. Research Center.