Check out the 11 Orange County Projects short listed for Millions of Tourist Tax Dollars
- Alastair Mac
- Jun 27, 2023
- 3 min read
A massive expansion project at Orange County Convention Center tops the list of projects recommended to receive millions of dollars in Tourist Development Tax money.
A citizen task force has revealed the projects that they felt are best to receive millions of dollars in tourism development tax funding from Orange County.
The task force has examining the most responsible ways to spend the millions of dollars that has been generated by tourists paying a tax on their hotel stays where in Orlando.
Initially 50 plus organisations and projects applied for the funding, seeking a combined 4 billion in tax funding. Now Orange County has revealed a ranked list of 11 recommended projects short listed to receive money from Orange County’s tourism development tax revenue.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said “We really tried to depoliticize the process so that we could get objective input from our residents about the priorities that they would make for the spending of the tourist development tax receipts.”
The task force is expected to conduct two further evaluations of the proposed projects, with the Board of County Commissioners, making the final decision on how to spend the tourist development tax proceeds on July 25.
The Task Force’s 11 Recommendations:
1: Orange County Convention Center - $586 Million
In 2019, Orange County approved the design of the next expansion project, which included the addition of a concourse that incorporated a ballroom, additional meeting space and connectivity, and a multipurpose hall that added 200,000 square feet to be utilized for exhibit space, general assembly, large receptions, food functions, and amateur athletic events.
2: Camping World Stadium - $800 Million
Remove and rebuild the stadium's upper terrace decks, add 100,000 square feet of multipurpose community space as a field house, and add a canopy to Camping World Stadium.
3: Amway Center - $256 Million
Upgrades to public safety, new technologies, and interior and exterior finishes. This project is focused on protecting our community's investment through necessary repairs, replacements, and modern enhancements, so it will continue to thrive.
4: Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center - $145 Million
The Dr. Phillips Center seeks to build Phase 3, a re-imagined master plan of the front plaza, side, and back parcels, including an outdoor auditorium that can host 5,000 to 7,000 guests, a 750-seat theater, a 12,000 sq. ft. exhibit space, a 10,000 sq. ft. event & banquet space., roof garden, a café, and a restaurant.
5: UCF Sports Village - $176 Million
Accelerate the university's development of world-class facility enhancements to UCF's Athletics Village, assist in renovations to FBC Mortgage Stadium, and construct new venues for soccer, track and field, baseball, softball, and tennis.
6: Mennello Museum of American Art - $29 Million
The Expansion of the Mennello Museum of American Art is a 40,000-sf expansion to the existing 12,000 sq. ft. facility, creating a state-of-the-art museum, event center, and sculptural garden.
7: Orlando City Baseball Dreamers Stadium - $975 Million
A new domed baseball stadium and associated parking garages, in conjunction with the pursuit of the acquisition of a Major League Baseball franchise for Orlando.
Plans call for the stadium to be constructed on International Drive near SeaWorld Orlando. Thee complex would include restaurants, office space, hote, and parking garages.
8: Zora Neale Hurston National Museum & ZORA! Campus - $87 Million
9: Orange County Regional History Center - $52.5 Million
10; Association to Preserve African American Society, History and Traditions Museum - $20 Million
11: Orlando Urban Film Festival Foundation “Rock-N-Soul” Fest - $20.5 Million
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