Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Stadium Financing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Orlando council approves consent items to advance Camping World Stadium and Kia Center projects, cites $60M interim financing plan
Summary
Council approved consent agenda items that advance Tourist Development Tax-funded improvements at Camping World Stadium and interim financing for Kia Center improvements; mayor and commissioners described agreements with Orange County and Florida Citrus Sports and a plan to bond $226 million for long-term funding.
Orlando City Council on May 19 approved consent agenda items that the mayor said will advance major improvements tied to the Tourist Development Tax (TDT), including additional work at Camping World Stadium, a land donation agreement with Florida Citrus Sports, and interim financing for Kia Center improvements.
In a pre-meeting update, Mayor Dyer flagged three consent items (B11, B14 and B15) that relate to a negotiated use of TDT revenue with Orange County. He described one item as additional improvements to Camping World Stadium, including construction of a multi-purpose event center, and said today's agenda includes an agreement with Florida Citrus Sports for donation of the land where the event center would be built. He also said the council was being asked to approve interim financing of $60 million a year over the next three years to fund improvements at the Kia Center until the city can issue bonds to cover a $226 million financing plan.
The items were included in the consent agenda and were approved as part of the package of routine measures. Commissioner Burns, who supported the consent items, also noted the items during his district remarks and moved to approve the consent agenda later in the meeting; Commissioner Sheehan seconded the motion.
Mayor Dyer also noted other related items on the agenda, including a contract award for Lake Natasauga and Harrelson Estates infrastructure work and a design contract for the new Poitras Park in southeast Orlando.
Council approval of the consent agenda does not by itself complete design or construction work; the mayor and staff described the actions as steps to secure interim financing, formalize land transfer arrangements and move design and procurement forward so that the stadium and Kia Center improvements can proceed toward eventual bonding and construction phases.
Council members generally voiced support on the record for advancing the projects. Several commissioners praised Florida Citrus Sports for community contributions and pointed to the broader redevelopment and tourism objectives that TDT-funded projects intend to support.
Next steps called for staff to finalize agreements and proceed with the financing mechanics and related contract procurement as required by the approved consent items.
