Creative Village Update

(Image from Creative Village Proposal)

Orlando City council is moving forward with Creative Village, the $1.0 billion mixed-use development planned for downtown Orlando over the next 20 years. (see previous ATRD post:  Creating a Creative Village for the Creative Class).  


Their approval provides development rights and purchase options for Creative Village, Development, LLC, lead by Craig Ustler, to redevelop the 68 acres of land now occupied by the old Amway Arena.


This is an enormous project and will be a model for other cities wrestling with their declining downtowns if they can figure out how to finance the project.  The mayor originally stated that minimal public funds will be used to develop the property but has since committed money to help in the demolition of the 22 year old arena to help prepare the site.


For related articles, see the following:
Orlando Sentinel:  Orlando Looks Ahead to "Creative Village"


Bizjorrnals:  Orlando Moves Forward on Creative Village