Downtown Orlando

Capital Analytics Associates recently featured our Executive Director, David Barilla. David discussed Project DTO 2.0, recent key achievements, the vision for Creative Village, and downtown Orlando's attractive incentive programs. Under David's leadership, downtown Orlando is undergoing a complete revitalization. Efforts continue to rebuild and re-envision downtown as a place where residents can live and where people can enjoy the arts and culture through programs like DTOLive, which offers 850 free live performances and art installations. Additionally, the CRA's various incentive programs support business owners in retail, restaurants, minority/women entrepreneurs, and more, aiming to attract and retain businesses. This ongoing progress strives to establish DTO as a central hub for arts and culture and as the premier urban neighborhood and city center in Central Florida, renowned for its appearance, atmosphere, and activities. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3MAfzwd 

Join us in welcoming BluWave Sushi & Handroll Bar to DTO!   BluWave Sushi & Handroll Bar is where modern meets fun in an unforgettable dining experience. At BluWave, they're dedicated to bringing you the freshest, highest-quality ingredients in every bite. Whether you're a sushi enthusiast or new to the scene, their diverse menu offers something for everyone. This new option for our foodies positively contributes to downtown Orlando's vibrant and diverse food scene, offering something for everyone, and adds to our recent accolade of being ranked the No. 1 foodie city in America!   Recently, City Council approved funding for BluWave Sushi & Handroll Bar through the DTO Restaurant Program. The DTO Restaurant Program encourages the expansion and recruitment of new retailers and restaurants that further establish downtown Orlando as a food and retail destination.   📍54 West Church Street, Suite 170

Round up your colleagues and join us as we celebrate Downtown Employee Appreciation Week with the Downtown Orlando Partnership! Enjoy a variety of treats, exciting giveaways, exclusive discounts, and plenty more. This is an event you won't want to miss!   Check out the schedule at https://bit.ly/3XfOUK5 and spread the word to your team!

Earlier this week, staff attended the ICSC Florida event held in Orlando, which brought together over 4,000 industry professionals. With approximately 250 exhibitors showcasing the latest in retail, real estate, and development, the event was a hub of opportunity. Our team had the chance to meet with over 35 prospects, including key players from Ruby Sunshine, Emma’s Squared Pizza, Macy’s, Sola Salon, and 7 Eleven. These meetings were invaluable for fostering relationships with retailers, developers, investors, and more, paving the way for potential collaborations that could shape the future of our downtown. The insights and connections gained from this event are sure to contribute significantly to our ongoing efforts to revitalize and grow the community.

We're hiring a Marketing and Communications Coordinator! Are you passionate about marketing & communications and want to make a real impact on downtown Orlando? We're looking for a dynamic and creative professional to assist with projects, manage website updates, and drive our email campaigns. In this role, you'll play a key part in shaping our presence and engaging our community. Deadline to apply is August 25 ➡️ https://bit.ly/3YSEm64

This year marks a significant milestone as we celebrate the 5th anniversary of the UCF Downtown and Valencia College Downtown campus. Since opening its doors in August 2019, this transformative partnership has brought more than 8,000 students, faculty, and staff to DTO. As a cornerstone of Orlando’s Creative Village, the campus has provided unparalleled access to education, fostering collaboration, and driving our community forward. This campus has opened pathways into high-demand careers and enhanced lives through education. We're proud to support this campus, which plays a crucial role in developing a skilled workforce and attracting businesses. Join us in celebrating this achievement and looking forward to many more years of success and growth. Happy 5th anniversary, UCF Downtown and Valencia College Downtown!

Exciting changes are coming to downtown Orlando as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance mobility and boost local business activities. On Monday, August 12, City Council approved two key initiatives that will transform the downtown streetscape. As an initial step, Magnolia Avenue will be transformed into a two-lane road with parking and integrated LYMMO operations, making it safer and more accessible. Additionally, Church Street, near the SunRail station, will be repositioned as a festival street in phases, starting with the first improvements soon. This will create a vibrant space for events, drawing more visitors and energizing our local economy. These projects, guided by the CRA's DTOutlook and Project DTO 2.0, reflect our commitment to making downtown a thriving, connected community for residents, employees, and visitors alike.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants first Orlando hotel is heading to downtown Orlando as part of Westcourt’s new mixed-use sports and entertainment development. Slated to open in 2027, the 16,000-square-foot Kimpton Orlando will be 11 stories and feature 261 rooms, indoor meeting space, a full-service restaurant and lobby bar, a cafe, and a pool bar and pool lounge. As we look forward to seeing this vision come to life, this development promises to be a game-changer for downtown Orlando. From economic revitalization to diverse amenities and housing options, Westcourt embodies our aspirations for a brighter, more inclusive future. Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting journey towards shaping Orlando's next iconic landmark! More information here: https://bit.ly/4ckJFOo 📸: Kimpton Hotels

Join our team - we're hiring an Interactive Media Coordinator!📱 Do you love downtown Orlando? Are you a social media enthusiast with a passion for content creation and storytelling? This job is for you! 👉 Develop and execute the content creation strategy that resonates with residents, visitors, investors, and stakeholders to downtown Orlando. 👉 Supports digital projects, including website updates, email campaigns, and social media. 👉 Maintains and monitors social media channels daily, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 👉 Attend events, grand openings and other DTO celebrations. Deadline to apply is August 19. Apply or share with someone you know would be a great fit. Don't miss the opportunity to #FindYourselfDowntown! ➡️ https://bit.ly/46BfRMo  

Electronic Arts (EA) Sports College Football 25 continues to blitz its way to success! In its first two weeks, the game has generated $500 million in sales and is on track to reach $1 billion. As part of our ongoing efforts to diversify the local economy and grow targeted industries, the City of Orlando and CRA incentives played an essential role in EA’s relocation to downtown Orlando. We are thrilled to see our strategic investments paying off and look forward to continued success for Electronic Arts (EA) and EA Sports College Football 25! More here: https://bit.ly/3LUlrzV