In an effort to accomplish the objectives of Part III, Chapter 163, Florida Statutes and further implement the Downtown Orlando Community Redevelopment Plan adopted pursuant thereto, the CRA has adopted and established the Streetscape Cost Sharing Program (Program). Under the Program, which is included within the Downtown Streetscape Guidelines (Guidelines), the CRA provides financial assistance towards certain eligible streetscape projects within the Downtown Orlando Community Redevelopment Area (Area).  The Program as currently written has been underutilized, with only one applicant in the last decade.

As recommended by the Project DTO process, the City and CRA staff has begun the process of revising the Guidelines.  It is anticipated that the Program will be restructured in conjunction with that process.  However, the task of revising the Guidelines requires a significant amount of work and will take approximately one year.  Therefore, prior to completion of the full revision to the Guidelines and Program, staff is recommending that a few changes be made to the Program in the interim to encourage use of the Program.

The recommended changes will generally allow an applicant to receive half of the cost of installation of the new streetscape based on what it would cost for the CRA to install, if proceeding to construct the streetscape on its own. 

Specifically, the suggestion is to allow reimbursement for a few items originally excluded from the Program, removal and disposal of prior streetscape materials and trees, sub-base, general conditions, temporary walks, fencing and MOT costs.

Sentinel Capital North Orange, LLC is completing renovations to the property at 250 North Orange Avenue, consisting primarily of renovation to the entry plaza, the addition of two entry canopies in front of the building, and a new arcade along Orange Avenue building frontage. As part of such development, they are reconstructing and landscaping the public sidewalk and streetscape along North Orange Avenue.

The CRA Advisory Board recommended to the CRA that demolition of existing sidewalks, driveways, trees and related streetscape, installation of sub-base for new streetscape,  approved general conditions, temporary walks, fencing and MOT costs be expenses eligible for reimbursement under the Program and that it approve the Agreement with Sentinel Capital North Orange, LLC.