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Orlando demolishing building to create green space for Lake Eola Park

Crane to topple former 7-Eleven at Rosalind Avenue and Central Boulevard

ORLANDO, Fla. – A crew began the process of demolishing a building Monday in Orlando to create more green space around the city’s signature park at Lake Eola.

A former 7-Eleven convenience store at Rosalind Avenue and Central Boulevard, the site where a developer wanted to construct a high-rise, will be torn down by a crane.

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“It’s hard to create green space. Usually, it’s going the other way around,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer at an event Monday to kick off the demolition. “We’re going to create a small little pocket park there that people can recreate in.”

The Orlando Land Trust raised $3.25 million, including $1.625 million in funding from the city’s downtown Community Redevelopment Agency, to purchase the parcel, preventing future development.

Building near Lake Eola to be demolished

The land was donated to the city, which will enhance the area with improved streetscape treatments, new landscaping and upgraded lighting. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2022, according to the city.

“This is Orlando’s central park; it is our signature park,” said District 4 City Commissioner Patty Sheehan. “It’s so important that we take care of it and that we add to it where we can.”

Plans for more improvements in the coming years include expanded covered seating at the amphitheater, more observation decks around the water and new bathrooms.

“This is a true community effort, and I could not be more proud to work with these folks to add to iconic Lake Eola Park,” Sheehan said.


About the Authors
Daniel Dahm headshot

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

Mark Lehman headshot

Mark Lehman became a News 6 reporter in July 2014, but he's been a Central Florida journalist and part of the News 6 team for much longer. While most people are fast asleep in their bed, Mark starts his day overnight by searching for news on the streets of Central Florida.

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