The City of Orlando has been relatively quiet on the long-awaited urban park project, previously known as the Under-i, since October 2022, when project manager Martin Hudson shared an update with Bungalower that it would feature the return of 500 parking spaces and a heck of a lot of projections.
The project is meant to transform a section of space under the I-4 into an active, urban park full of amenities and public programming to enhance the flow of pedestrian traffic between Parramore and the downtown core.
“We’re applying a lot of the lessons we’re learning in Creative Village to this park – it’ll be like Luminary Green on steroids. There are about 100 columns under the interstate that we are planning to project onto in the Under-i, as well as the entire roof/base of the interstate itself. We can create waterfalls, starlit skies, you name it, to make it a really special space that will entice people to want to visit downtown. Actually there are 101 columns but people keep making dalmation jokes.”
– MARTIN HUDSON, URBAN PROJECT MANAGER, CITY OF ORLANDO
But the City of Orlando surprised everyone this morning with a new press release and concerted social media campaign announcing that the project will now be known as “The Canopy,” and a dramatic reduction in parking spaces.
“The name, The Canopy, was inspired by the newly updated design which blends nature and technology, drawing inspiration from Orlando’s beautiful canopy of trees, to create a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable urban oasis that reflects the spirit of downtown Orlando, connects its diverse neighborhoods and fosters a sense of belonging for all.”
The new design features a pilot of a temporary rideshare zone and parking concept in the Pine Street/Central Boulevard section of the project, which will include the installation of roughly 150 temporary public parking spaces for short-term parking and ride-share services. The City will monitor how the parking spaces are used ahead of installing the permanent park, to see how residents and visitors use the temporary zone. Construction of the pilot is expected to begin in early April 2024 and be completed sometime this summer and will run for roughly one year to gather sufficient data.
The Canopy is expected to begin construction in early 2025 and take two years to complete, and once finished it will feature lush green spaces, space for gatherings and festivals, provide access to various modes of transportation, and feature pedestrian-friendly walkways and bike paths.
