Here’s our rundown of the top ten things you need to know this week in Downtown Orlando area news. Sponsored by Olde Town Brokers.
- Orlando Bike Share launched on Friday. You can now rent bikes hourly from four stations around downtown Orlando. OUC and Florida Hospital were named sponsors of the program at the ribbon cutting.
- Today the City of Orlando will be voting on a two-year pilot program that would create a streamlined approval process for murals. The City is hoping to encourage more of this type of public art by avoiding permitting under Orlando’s sign ordinances.
- SunRail’s extended service pilot will continue for at least a year. The night train has proven to be a popular service, and at times, has carried almost triple the average load.
- There is a new mural in the Mills 50 District. The All-Star Buffalo was a collaboration with Boy Kong and 10 of ArtReach Orlando’s All-Star Students. It was unveiled Sunday outside of the Say It Loud! studio.
- CSX is sponsoring ten new pieces of public art in Orlando. A call for artists is currently out and the deadline to submit an application is January 19. The pieces will be unveiled in March and installed throughout Orlando.
- Programming celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has begun. A calendar of events can be found on the City of Orlando’s website.
- One of the buildings at 250 N. Orange Ave has been demolished and is expected to get a new address. The Dr. Phillips Real Estate group, which owns the property, doesn’t have any formal plans for the prime downtown location yet.
- Despite appearances, Dillard’s at Fashion Square Mall is not closing. The once popular department store is transitioning into a Clearance Center.
- Grafitti Junktion is replacing Cafe Red on Church Street. Some of restaurant’s iconic graffiti was painted last week and the restaurant is expected to open soon.
- Orlando was represented on several impressive lists last week, including America’s 100 best beer bars, 2015, 10 Best Wine Travel Destinations 2015, and 52 Places to Go in 2015.
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