The Orlando Main Street Program was implemented in 2007 as an initiative to revitalize Orlando’s neighborhood business districts. Main Street is a national program that assists business districts with developing the necessary market niche and creating a cohesive visual identity unique to the district. The Main Street Approach gradually builds on existing resources and fosters improved community leadership and support on behalf of the business district for the long term. The districts are also required to have a full-time manager.
To date, City Council has approved seven Main Street Districts: Thornton Park, College Park Partnership, Ivanhoe Village, Audubon Park Garden District, Downtown South, Church Street District, Mills 50, and the Semoran Business Partnership as a Market Street District. Orlando Tech is operating on a separate one year agreement through September 30, 2015 as an E-Street. The Orlando Main Street Program requires that an annual agreement be approved by City Council for each Main, Market or E-Street District. Under the Orlando Main Street Program, the City provides annual funding, and the Districts are required to raise matching funds. The funding and required match per district is as follows:
Year 1- $50,000 -City of Orlando and $10,000-District
Year 2- $45,000 -City of Orlando and $15,000-District
Year 3- $40,000 -City of Orlando and $20,000-District
Year 4- $35,000 -City of Orlando and $25,000-District
Year 5- $30,000 -City of Orlando and $30,000-District
Years 6+ $35,000- City of Orlando and $25,000-District
College Park Partnership and Ivanhoe Village are entering their eighth year in the program, Audubon Park Garden District, Downtown South, and Mills 50 are entering year seven, Church Street and Semoran are entering year four and Thornton Park is entering year three. Therefore, City funding per district for FY 2013/2014 is as follows:
College Park Partnership - $35,000
Ivanhoe Village - $35,000
Audubon Park Garden District - $35,000
Downtown South - $35,000
Mills 50 - $35,000
Church Street - $35,000
Semoran Business Partnership - $35,000
Thornton Park District - $40,000