ORLANDO, Fla. – On Monday, the Orlando City Council voted to extend a ban on new bars downtown for another six months.
The city first put the ban in place in March 2023, and it is now set to expire in September 2024.
Officials said they need more time for “outreach” and “research.”
When the moratorium on new bars and nightclubs in the downtown bar district was first passed, it came after several shootings and violent incidents.
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About a week before commissioners voted to extend the moratorium, two Orlando police officers were shot downtown.
According to city presentations, priorities for downtown include increased daytime activity and green space.
Downtown resident Lori Carrol said she applauds the decision, explaining that the bar district is too much commotion for her.
“It didn’t make a difference if it was the weekend or not, it was just a lot of rowdiness, a lot of stuff going on, a lot of cops around. I don’t know. I sound old now, don’t I?” Carroll said.
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