CRA approves $2.3M Magnolia Avenue award, budget amendments and façade grant for downtown improvements
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Summary
At its Nov. 10 meeting the CRA (convened inside the Orlando City Council meeting) approved an award to Gomez Construction for Magnolia Avenue improvements (~$2.3M), budget amendments moving $6.3M into downtown projects and a façade grant for Foxrock Orlando 100 Realty LLC (about $135,520 from the CRA program).
The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), meeting as part of the Nov. 10 Orlando City Council session, approved several downtown investments intended to advance the DTO (downtown transportation/organization) action plan.
CRA staff (recorded as David) said the award to Gomez Construction will fund the initial construction work on Magnolia Avenue and is a CRA‑funded investment of just over $2,300,000. The CRA approved the award on a motion moved by Commissioner Rose and seconded by Commissioner Sheehan.
The CRA also approved a small budget amendment (to correct a grant miscalculation of about $4,000 and move roughly $400,000 into a business recruitment and retention line) and a larger amendment that moves $500,000 from the downtown area trust fund and $6,300,000 from fund balance into specified downtown projects including lighting, streetscapes, plazas, the DTO action plan, a conference center, facade program, and venues and open spaces.
Separately, the CRA approved a DTO façade grant for Foxrock Orlando 100 Realty LLC at 100 South Orange Avenue (the Metcalfe Calf Building in the record). The project expects just over $300,000 in improvements; the facade program will provide approximately $135,520. The CRA also approved a Paramore Streetscape cost‑share (just under $220,000 of CRA funding alongside contributions from the utility and stormwater departments).
Why it matters: the CRA approvals fund visible downtown street, facade and streetscape work that officials say supports economic recruitment and the DTO plan. The budget amendments allocate fund balance dollars and trust fund resources to advance those projects.
What happens next: staff will proceed with contracting and project delivery under the CRA approvals; project timelines were described as aiming for construction next year with completion hoped for by the following summer.
