Orlando council approves downtown redevelopment contracts, extends senior transport pilot
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Summary
The Orlando City Council approved multiple CRA contracts on Feb. 23 to advance downtown redevelopment — marketing and design work for catalytic sites and incentives for a downtown retail tenant — and approved a short-term extension of a senior transportation pilot with Mears after Seniors First withdrew service.
The Orlando City Council on Feb. 23 approved several Community Redevelopment Agency contracts to move forward on downtown projects and extended a pilot senior-transportation service that replaced a private provider.
CRA staff presented a $200,000 contract with First Capital Property Group to market and prepare 1 North Orange Ave. for lease and an RFP process. "The total cost of the contract is $200,000," CRA staff said, adding $50,000 would be paid during the marketing phase and the remainder upon lease execution. Council approved the motion (motion by Commissioner Rose, second by Commissioner Sheehan).
Council also authorized a Turner Construction contract to begin official design and site investigations for two downtown sites: a pocket park at 30 South Orange Avenue and a Lake Eola gateway. Staff said the Turner contract includes structural, asbestos and ADA assessments and funding for two community meetings to continue visioning. Commissioner Sheehan and preservation advocates asked how the work would affect the Luba House; Mayor Dyer said staff would assess options and cautioned against an immediate demolition. "We don't have any intention in demolishing the building," the mayor said, while noting the city had obtained cost estimates ranging from roughly $550,000 to demolish the structure to about $5 million to renovate and repurpose it. The council approved the Turner contract (motion by Commissioner Rose, second by Commissioner Sheehan).
A downtown retail incentive award was approved for a wedding and makeup studio leasing 2,500 square feet in the Madrian on Lake Eola. Staff said the tenant will spend more than $550,000 on build-out; the CRA award totals $112,500 composed of a $62,500 tenant-improvement allowance and $50,000 in first-year rent abatement. Council approved the funding package (motion by Commissioner Rose, second by Commissioner Sheehan).
Separately, the council extended a pilot senior-transportation agreement with Mears to cover the remainder of the year for just over $68,000, with potential future extensions up to $116,933 if the pilot continues to meet needs. Commissioner Sheehan credited the city for quickly arranging service after Seniors First discontinued its downtown runs. Commissioner Chapin reiterated he would recuse himself from voting on that CRA item due to a filed conflict of interest. The item passed (motion by Commissioner Rose, second by Commissioner Sheehan).
What happens next: staff will complete site investigations for the Lake Eola and 30 South Orange parcels and return to council with design concepts; the Mears pilot will proceed under the approved extension while staff evaluates longer-term options.
Votes and motions recorded at the meeting reflect the council's recorded attendance and the motions shown on the Feb. 23 agenda.