Top ten things you need to know this week for September 15, 2014

Here’s our rundown of the top ten things you need to know this week in Downtown Orlando area news.

1. Orlando city council gives preliminary OK to 17.7% tax hike. The $1 tax rate increase will bring the average tax bill back to where it was in 2009. The city has put together an overview of the budget and why they say the changes are needed.
2. City Council looks at changes to allow Uber and Lyft to operate in Orlando. The City Attorney’s office presented some possible changes that would allow companies like Uber and Lyft to operate legally in the City. No specific legislation has been put forward yet.
3. Growing Orlando to turn downtown rooftops into urban farms. A new non-profit is looking to turn downtown rooftops and unused space into a full-scale farm. One of the first rooftops slated to get the urban farm treatment is the Church Street Exchange building.
4. Orlando expressway authority looks for new director again. After the last attempt resulted in a grand jury investigation and bribery conviction, the board will now look to hire a new director for the agency.
5. Factur fabrication laboratory opens in Ivanhoe Village.The new maker space is now open. You can checkout our photo tour and the complete list of their equipment.
6. Cloak & Dapper to open retail store in Ivanhoe Village. This will be the local online men’s retail shop’s first physical store.
7. Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa opens in Mills 50. After months of waiting, the Mills 50 BBQ restaurant from the folks behind the Treehouse food truck is now open.
8. Sideshow opens at Wall Street Plaza on Orange Ave. The owners of Wall Street Plaza opened their newest bar called Sideshow. The circus themed bar also serves lunch and dinner.
9. Mid-century modern furniture shop to open in College Park. Modern Redemption plans to open in the space next to Appenberry’s. They will carry mid-century modern furniture, collectibles, art and lighting.
10. Theater review: ‘Les Miserables’ from Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Les Mis was one of our event picks this past weekend and runs through October 12. Matt Palm calls is a “must-see.”

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