Will a proposed culture and arts district draw people to Orlando's downtown by offering an appealing alternative to the theme parks?
Later this month, the curtain will open on an effort to remake parts of downtown Orlando into a cultural corridor, chock-full of art galleries and restaurants, and anchored by a new performing arts center across the street from City Hall.
When a local juried arts market opens at Church Street Station on Oct. 23, it will be the first step in an ambitious plan to raise the profile of artists and theater companies in central Florida. Initially, the city and the Central Florida Theater Alliance will pump roughly $400,000 a year into providing space for artists to display their works and to create flexible theater space for performers. Half of that has been approved by the city; the volunteer theater alliance is working to raise the rest.
But it's a modest start on a grand journey. Ultimately, a culture and arts district will extend from Lock Haven Park to the East West Expressway and from Division Street to Rosalind Avenue, focusing primarily on Magnolia Avenue and punctuated by the proposed $158-million Orlando Performing Arts and Education Center.
The center will be a joint effort of the University of Central Florida and the city of Orlando. UCF's share will include a drama theater, drama studio, music hall and classrooms. Half of the university's $47.5-million tab will come from state matching funds and the rest from donors. The city's $110.5 million will build a 1,870-seat theater and the common areas required to make the center a focal point of downtown. The city has received about $3.5 million in pledges so far; it plans to raise another $10 million from well-heeled individuals and companies, and the city council's expected to approve $26 million when the time comes. That leaves a $71-million funding shortfall.
"I think the community really wants it. There are some doubters and some skeptics out there, but once we announce some big gifts, people will see that the community is really behind it," says Brenda Robinson, executive director of Arts & Cultural Affairs for the city of Orlando.
The plan has taken heat from critics who say the new theater would be too small to replace the 2,500-seat Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, and that Orlando isn't a big enough market for both to be financially feasible. In addition, some wonder whether central Florida has a large enough base of people interested in the arts, which tend to attract relatively affluent people far on the high side of Orlando's median age of 33.
Robinson, however, says the buzz surrounding the UCF-connected film "The Blair Witch Project" should get more younger people interested in the university's entertainment program, as will a proposed magnet school for art students and "hands on" performances where students can observe rehearsals and set changes. The region's growth also bodes well for an influx of potential patrons.
"It's a need for the people who live here," Robinson says. "We want something to do, and we're not going to go to the theme parks all the time. Part of it is a dream, yes, but it's one that we have a good chance of making come true."
The multitude of empty storefronts downtown proves conventional downtown development ideas can't compete with the prepackaged predictability of Downtown Disney and Universal's CityWalk, Robinson says. Focusing on culture may be the ticket that lets downtown Orlando take center stage.
In the News
Brevard County -- Walt Disney Cruise Lines took delivery on its second ship -- The Wonder -- at Port Canaveral.
Holopaw -- Reliant Energy Inc. announced plans to build a 460-megawatt power plant that would supply energy to Seminole Electric Cooperative Inc. The natural gas-fired plant would sit on 100 acres near the intersection of U.S. highways 192 and 441 in Osceola County. In April Reliant said it wanted to buy the 619-megawatt Indian River Power Plant in Brevard County from the Orlando Utilities Commission, but that deal has not closed.
Lake Mary -- Seminole County approved a plan by Pizzuti Cos. to expand the 344-acre Heathrow International Business Park by nearly 45 acres. The new land will allow Pizzuti to build three more major office buildings.
Orlando -- Planet Hollywood's star dimmed when the company (NYSE-PHL) created a massive reorganization plan in preparation for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition this month. Trading in the company's stock was halted by the New York Stock Exchange as Planet Hollywood stock fell to 75 cents per share. Founder and CEO Robert Earl, Saudi Prince Alawaleed bin Talal and Singapore billionaire Ong Beng Seng will each pony up $10 million to recapitalize the struggling company. Previous stockholders will find their equity erased in the deal.
Tupperware Corp. (NYSE-TUP) made good on a months-old promise, launching a website through which shoppers can buy some -- but not all -- of the products so far sold only at parties. The site also helps shoppers track down a local distributor and provides hints for hosting Tupperware parties.
Fiserv Inc.'s recent deal to handle the transaction processing system for American Express' new online banking service should lead to about 15 new jobs in Fiserv's community banking services division, which employs about 400 in Orlando and 500 abroad. In addition, the growing popularity of online banking should lead to employment gains of up to 100 in the next year, the company says.
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula has picked a logical spot to open his 14th restaurant -- the Walt Disney World Dolphin hotel. Shula's steak house will replace Harry's Safari Bar & Grill, which has operated there since the hotel opened in 1990.
A group of investors paid $10 million for a 1,000-acre parcel between Lake Hart and Orlando International Airport, where it plans to develop a golf course and residential development. The tract has about 3,000 feet of frontage on Lake Hart.
London-based Rank Group, which owns 50% of Universal Studios Escape, is trying to speed up plans to sell the theme park to pay off debt. Rank and Seagram Co. Ltd. each own half of the attraction, and the joint venture was designed to terminate as early as May 2001. Rank wants to accelerate a sale and use the proceeds to pay down debt. Hard Rock Cafe International Inc. may also go on the block, but so far Rank is mum on its plans for the chain of 103 restaurants.
Spirit Airlines signed a long-term commitment for an airline gate and terminal space,
bringing the airport closer to the level of commitments it needs to issue bonds for a proposed new terminal.
Ohio computer consultant Sarcom Inc. has opened its Florida base in Orlando, where it will hire up to 150 people in the next year. Eventually the company plans to open branches in Brevard County, Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa.
Hewitt Associates LLC relocated from Maitland Center to a larger facility at Central Florida Research Park. Hewitt, a Chicago-based human resources consulting company, had operated from a 76,000-sq.-ft. office for the last two-and-a-half years. Hewitt's new home is a 360,000-sq.-ft. building, where the company plans to hire up to 500 additional employees over the next three years.
Property Investment Brokers, based in Altamonte Springs, has agreed to pay in excess of $1.5 million for a 2.6-acre lot in downtown Orlando that has been vacant for more than 11 years. The company plans to develop a luxury condominium tower that will be 20-plus stories high. The tract is sandwiched between Interstate 4 and the railroad tracks.
Plymouth -- World Expo Park developer Rob Miller unveiled a streamlined version of the $1.1-billion World Expo Center that will be built in phases, with the initial phase slated for about $650 million. Many issues remain, but Miller says construction should begin late this year.
Daytona Beach -- The Crown Cork & Seal Co. of Philadelphia planned to close its can-printing plant here late last month. Sixty-five workers were expected to lose their jobs. The nation's largest manufacturer of cans for food and beverages has closed 13 plants in the past year.
Overheard
Kissimmee residents now know more than they ever wanted to about their elected officials: Mayor Frank Attkisson's favorite TV program is "The Andy Griffith Show." Vice-Mayor Linda Goodwin-Nichols' favorite subject in school was P.E. Commissioner Wendell McKinnon's favorite food is chicken & dumplings. These fascinating details and many more were recently sent to Kissimmee residents in a booklet titled "Hi! We're Your City Commissioners." The commission came up with the idea while trying to figure out ways to better involve citizens in strategic planning and other local issues. Public response has been positive, particularly to the listing of commissioners' home phone numbers and e-mail addresses. "We're serious when we need to be, but life's too short not to have a little fun," says Goodwin-Nichols. "We want people to know we're human." Cost to taxpayers: 78 cents apiece, with 500 printed so far.