CRA awards up to $1.5 million for downtown LED lighting upgrades

The Community Redevelopment Agency of Orlando on Feb. 10 voted to award work to Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) for LED lighting upgrades in downtown corridors, with total costs not to exceed $1,500,000.

City staff described the project as a downtown lighting modernization that will replace older high-pressure sodium fixtures with LED technology across corridors including Amelia, Central, Garland, Terry, Lake Dot, Lucerne Circle, Magnolia, South Wall Street, Washington and Westmoreland. David (city staff) told commissioners the upgrades include pole and fixture replacements and are intended to improve safety and energy efficiency.

Commissioner Tony Ortiz highlighted a public-safety advantage of LED lights during discussion. "Low-pressure sodium is those amber-looking lights... for police it's pretty hard ... you don't get an accurate description of a person," Ortiz said, urging support for the upgrade. Commissioner Stewart thanked staff for sending a map of the planned improvements.

The motion to approve the project was made by Commissioner Rose and seconded by Commissioner Sheehan; the council heard no recorded opposition and the motion carried on a voice vote.

The staff presentation estimated the total cost would not exceed $1.5 million and the CRA requested authority to proceed with the award to OUC. The item does not, in the meeting record, attach a detailed project schedule or funding source breakdown beyond the CRA authorization.

Next steps include contract execution with OUC and project staging and construction in the named downtown corridors; staff indicated they could answer additional questions as work proceeds.