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Orlando buys vacant downtown properties to build park, restaurants and ‘micro’ apartments

City plans to remodel two areas along Orange Avenue

ORLANDO, Fla. – The city of Orlando has approved moving forward with plans to buy properties in downtown that have sat vacant for years.

Both 30 S. Orange Ave. and 1 N. Orange Ave. will be owned by the city, and according to renderings, it will also bring some revitalization.

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Other than some temporary art installations, the 30 S. Orange Ave. property has not seen any development in more than a decade.

The city plans to make it into a green space that could possibly host events.

Concept art for a planned park at 30 S. Orange Ave. (City of Orlando)

“I mean, it’s also the atmosphere about it,” said resident Mayra Gomez.

Additionally, the historic 1 N. Orange Ave. building has long needed renovations and has sat vacant, as well. The city plans to create restaurant space on the ground floor.

The plans also include 72 apartment units. Some of these units are called “micro-units,” with the smallest being just 296 square feet.

Model floor plan for the apartments expected to be built at 1 N. Orange Ave. (City of Orlando)

“Well, maybe if they are affordable units, that’s good, but for me personally, no, I don’t think it would be enough,” said resident Juliana Herrera.

The city of Orlando also recently unveiled its Lake Eola pocket park, where a 7-Eleven formerly stood.

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About the Author
Troy Campbell headshot

Troy graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. He has reported on Mexican drug cartel violence on the El Paso/ Juarez border, nuclear testing facilities at the Idaho National Laboratory and severe Winter weather in Michigan.

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