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THIS IS DOWNTOWN RECAP. 
Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who tuned into our first 2021 session of This is Downtown: New Kids on the Block, showcasing the SunTrust Plaza at 333 S. Garland Avenue in Downtown Orlando. We had a wonderful panel featuring amazing DOP Members:

TOP FIVE
This month's session of TID focused on the creation process of the new SunTrust Plaza. Thanks to our panelists, we learned a few fun facts about the building. We've gathered our top five favorite facts:

  • TLC Engineering used electrochromic glass in hotel lobby and bar area. The windows will darken and prevent light from entering without the use of blinds.
  • Walter P Moore built their own virtual reality system to perform immersive virtual site visits (like in a video game). This helped them visualize and prevent conflicts in structural engineering. Lincoln Property Company was also able to use the software to show people what their view would be for marketing.
  • HuntonBrady Architects chose the color palettes to match Florida limestone and other natural Florida colors.
  • The windows scale to match the environment around them. The side facing I-4 has larger windows to match the space around it! You can catch these panoramic views on the 13th floor, or check out this virtual reality tour of e|spaces here.
  • The rail line was active during construction, which meant that Austin Commercial had to pause construction activities multiple times a day to let the SunRail pass.

The more you know.

ICYMI, we've got you covered. Here is the link to the recorded session.
This is a monthly webinar, so stay tuned for upcoming topics!

City of Orlando Update for Businesses

On behalf of Mayor Dyer and the Orlando City Council, please find a brief update on items approved at this week's City Council meeting to include:

  • Businesses may expand retail sales and restaurant seating in public rights-of-way and private parking lots and walkways.
  • Businesses may use a banner sign, freestanding flag sign, and/or an A-frame sign without the need for sign permits.
  • Businesses may use small farmer’s market style tents, up to 12 ft. by 12 ft. in size to accommodate for outdoor operations.

The city also continues to suspend the need for businesses to obtain any permits or pay any fees for these programs which have been extended through August 1, 2021.

As a reminder, your business can also request a Curbside Pickup Zone, a designated area on-street for customers to pick up purchases.

For more information on these programs, please click here. For a video on how you may be able to use these tools at your business, please click here.

 

In addition, for downtown businesses specifically, City Council also extended the following programs:

  • Through the parklet program, downtown businesses can expand their retail sales and restaurant seating operations into adjacent on-street public parking spaces through August 1, 2021.
  • Free parking validations are available through the Park DTO program through September 1, 2021.
  • Funding for downtown food trucks to operate throughout downtown through September 30, 2021.

 

City of Orlando Update for Businesses

On behalf of Mayor Dyer and the Orlando City Council, please find a brief update on items approved at this week's City Council meeting to include:

  • Businesses may expand retail sales and restaurant seating in public rights-of-way and private parking lots and walkways.
  • Businesses may use a banner sign, freestanding flag sign, and/or an A-frame sign without the need for sign permits.
  • Businesses may use small farmer’s market style tents, up to 12 ft. by 12 ft. in size to accommodate for outdoor operations.

The city also continues to suspend the need for businesses to obtain any permits or pay any fees for these programs which have been extended through August 1, 2021.

As a reminder, your business can also request a Curbside Pickup Zone, a designated area on-street for customers to pick up purchases.

For more information on these programs, please click here. For a video on how you may be able to use these tools at your business, please click here.

 

In addition, for downtown businesses specifically, City Council also extended the following programs:

  • Through the parklet program, downtown businesses can expand their retail sales and restaurant seating operations into adjacent on-street public parking spaces through August 1, 2021.
  • Free parking validations are available through the Park DTO program through September 1, 2021.
  • Funding for downtown food trucks to operate throughout downtown through September 30, 2021.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2021 Future of Workforce
Join OBJ on Thursday, Feb. 4 for two interactive panel discussions and a live Q&A as they take a closer look at Central Florida's workforce challenges, as well as long-term solutions needed to address them. Featured speakers include Valencia College president, Dr. Sandy Shugart and CareerSource CEO/President, Pamela Nabors.

Register to attend here.

Interview Skills in Action
Join CareerSource Central Florida for their Interview Skills in Action virtual workshop. The workshop will be offered multiple days and times throughout February.

  • Understand how to verbally and non-verbally communicate effectively in an interview
  • Learn and practice how to answer challenging interview questions
  • Gain frameworks to structure thoughts and answers to common interview questions
  • Obtain tools and techniques to both prepare and follow up, before and after the interview

Register here.

DID YOU KNOW? University of Central Florida 
U.S. News and World Report ranks UCF’s online criminal justice graduate program #12 (tie) in the nation. Big congratulations to all faculty, staff and students in the Department of Criminal Justice!

Read more about UCF's other online learning top 20 rankings here.

Orlando Health 
On Monday, Orlando Health announced they will raise the starting wage across its network to at least $15 an hour in a multi-step process. Beginning January 31, 2021, minimum wage will increase from $11 to $13, and to at least $15 an hour in 2023.

2022 Special Olympics
The City of Orlando and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission are proud to announce they will host the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Special Olympic Games on June 5th, 2022.

COMING SOON
Member Monday Feature

Meet our members! Starting next month, we will begin spotlighting our members on Mondays. Want to be featured? Submit company content here.
Orlando Health 
On Monday, Orlando Health announced they will raise the starting wage across its network to at least $15 an hour in a multi-step process. Beginning January 31, 2021, minimum wage will increase from $11 to $13, and to at least $15 an hour in 2023.
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