News Details (Posted: July 16, 2007):

Community Venues Create Local Jobs - from Orlando Mayor's Office

Full Description:

Dear friends,
Over the past three years, the City of Orlando has invested significant time and resources advancing our vision for a revitalized Downtown and Parramore Heritage Neighborhood and building Community Venues that will benefit the entire Central Florida region.

It's been exciting for our community to watch these plans come together. This unique public/private partnership has laid the foundation for enhanced entertainment, sports and cultural Venues including a new Performing Arts Center, Events Center and updated Citrus Bowl.

These projects represent not only an investment in the cultural and entertainment opportunities in our community, but also represent a significant and long-term, positive economic impact in local neighborhoods.

An economic impact study commissioned by the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission found that over a four-year period, the construction of the Community Venues is estimated to generate approximately $1.1 billion to the local economy and support approximately 10,800 jobs.

During the planning process for the Venues, special emphasis was made to ensure that maximum opportunities are afforded to local, small and disadvantaged businesses, as well as minorities and women. We developed the Community Blueprint to serve as a framework and model for inclusiveness and community building throughout the various levels of contracting.

We have partnered with Workforce Central Florida to serve as the lead "umbrella" agency to plan and implement the workforce development plan outlined in the Community Blueprint and ensure the local workforce is trained and ready for the billions of dollars of economic benefit the Venues will bring through construction.

For more information on the Regional Community Venues, please visit CityofOrlando.net.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor

Upcoming Meetings on the Community Venues

In coming weeks, the Orlando City Council and Board of Orange County Commissioners will consider approval of the Interlocal agreement, which guides the funding mechanism for the three downtown projects. City and County approval of the Interlocal is the final step in the plan to secure the future of these critical downtown projects.

Meeting Dates

Monday, July 23 at 2:00 p.m., Orlando City Council
Thursday, July 26 at 2:00 p.m., Board of Orange County Commissioners

This section of City News provides public safety updates on new and ongoing City initiatives and opportunities for citizens to become engaged.

Crimeline Work Along

On Thursday, July 5, Mayor Dyer participated in a work along with Crimeline, the anonymous tip hotline for criminal activity. Crimeline employees play an integral role in the Illegal Gun Bounty program launched this year by Mayor Dyer as part of the three-year, multi-million dollar Public Safety Initiative.

Mayor Dyer was trained in the techniques utilized by the Crimeline staff to receive information on felony crimes while guaranteeing anonymity. Following the training, Mayor Dyer worked alongside Crimeline employees and took a follow-up call on an illegal gun bounty case.

Since the launch of the Illegal Gun Bounty program, more than 400 tips have been called-in detailing the possession of an illegal firearm, leading to 11 rewards being issued. Tips that have been awarded have led directly to police solving multiple robberies, drug cases and a double homicide.

To report a tip, call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477 (TIPS). Information that leads to an arrest, a gun recovery and a weapons charge will result in a $1,000 cash reward.

For more information on the City's Public Safety Initiative, visit CityofOrlando.net.

City Council Update
Neighborhood Commercial District Revitalization Program

The Neighborhood Commercial District Revitalization Program (NCDRP) provides interest free deferred loans for faade improvements to new and existing commercial property and business owners in blighted commercial corridors. The NCDRP was approved by City Council on November 13, 2006 and the program provides up to $20,000 in assistance and loans with costs related to physical improvements.

Initially, the program focused on areas outside of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) boundaries, an area covering the City's downtown core. However, since the inception of the program, the Business Development Division has received applications from qualified businesses located within the CRA. To promote new businesses throughout the City, the Council amended the program to allow businesses within the CRA boundaries to be considered on a case-by-case basis. For more information on this program, contact the City's Business Development Division at 407-246-3421.

City Election Change

Earlier this year, the Florida Legislature moved the 2008 Presidential Preference Primary from March 11 to January 29. At the request of the Orange County Supervisor of Elections, the City Council voted to move the City's general election from March to January 29. This change will save the City more than $120,000 and will encourage a stronger voter turnout for the municipal election. City Council Districts 2, 4 and 6 and the Office of the Mayor will be on the ballot in the January election.

Did You Know? Inside Orlando

Inside Orlando returns to Orange TV with highlights of recent Orlando events. The WWE Wrestlemania announcement comes alive with special clips from the press conference, professional wake boarder J.D. Webb talks about his record-breaking jump over the Lake Eola fountain and a special feature from Lynx highlights how to use bike racks on the buses to get around town. Inside Orlando airs on Brighthouse Channel 9 on Wednesdays at 7p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Inside Orlando is another creative product by the City's Office of Communications.

Summer Energy Saving Tips from OUC

To help conserve energy and lower your summer power bills, the Orlando Utilities Commission recommends the following energy saving tips:

Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, although some customers may need to keep the temperature a little cooler. Each degree you raise the thermostat above 78 degrees will save 6 to 8 percent on your cooling bill.

Keep your central A/C unit on auto. To increase savings even more, turn off the unit completely or set it to 85 degrees when you're away from home for more than four hours.

Replace air filters monthly.

Use shades, drapes and blinds to keep the sun and heat out.

Use ceiling fans to feel cooler, but turn them off when you leave the room.

Close windows and outside doors while the air conditioning is on so you are not air conditioning the outdoors.

Caulk and weather strip leaky windows and doors.

Wash only full loads in dishwashers and clothes washers.

Upcoming Events
Date Event/Location
July 24, 2007 Beyoncé details
August 3, 2007 Date Night at Leu Gardens details
August 7, 2007 National Night Out Kick off details
August 26, 2007 Downtown Concert Series details
Sundays Sunday Eola Market details

Road Closure

For information on road closures please visit: our site.
For up-to-date information on I-4 lane and ramp closure please visit: trans4mation.org

For the latest East-West Expressway updates please visit:
epass.oocea.com/constructionup­date

City Hall
400 South Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407.246.2221
Fax: 407.246.2842
Email: buddy.dyer@cityoforlando.net