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FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS FOR ORLANDO VENUES AND THE QUEST TO GET TAYLOR SWIFT NEXT TIME AROUND
BUILDERS’ BREAKFAST | September 26, 2023
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLEN JOHNSON
Allen Johnson, chief venues officer at Orlando Venues joined ABC for breakfast to present the improvement project plans that Orlando Venues will bring in front of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners on October 3, 2023. The City of Orlando owns and operates multiple arts and cultural facilities under the Orlando Venues umbrella designed to enrich the lives of Central Florida residents and visitors. These unique gathering places include Camping World Stadium, the Amway Center, Harry P. Leu Gardens, and the Mennello Museum of American Art.
Camping World Stadium has not only seen name changes since it was originally constructed in 1936 - many of us still can’t shake calling it the Citrus Bowl to this day – but massive construction changes since 2014 in what Johnson refers to as the modern era of the stadium. The upper precast concrete bowls are the only remaining feature of what the stadium was in the 1980s. The modern Camping World has hosted 4.6 million patrons over nine years including its highest attended event, Wrestlemania. In 2022 the stadium contributed $43 million to state and local taxes from its $632 million total output.
To “complete the vision” of the modern stadium, Orlando Venues is asking to have the $400 million base scope approved that includes removing and replacing upper terrace decks, increasing vertical transportation, connecting all levels with a 360-degree concourse, and adding 100,000 SF of multipurpose fieldhouse. The upper decks currently still have concrete bench seating that is not up to code, once these are replaced the stadium will lose some of its seating with the replacements and need to make that up somehow to compete with the stadium in Tampa and perhaps have Taylor Swift in Orlando the next time around. Retractable seating similar to that at J. Raymond Stadium could add 8,000 more seats for concerts.
Looking forward, an additional $400 million improvement scope to be approved would add a canopy-style covering over the new upper decks to protect against weather and maximize stadium usability. Johnson explained that he would like to see a flat roof put on the entire stadium, as the canopystyle would still not protect patrons against lightning in the area. This flat roof would cost an estimated $20 million more.
Moving down the road to the Amway Center, Johnson described the $256.8 million project scope they are requesting. This would be an improvement project carried out over the next 10 years and includes updating and upgrading to keep up with state-of-the-art technology that improves guest, artist, and staff experience as well as maintaining and enhancing the quality of the space, and modernizing and innovating for security and safety operations, lighting controls, high-speed internet, next gen connectivity, and HVAC.
In 2022, the Amway Center had a $500 million economic impact from the 1.3 million visitors to the 478,000 hotel rooms they stayed in. These improvements are important to keeping the Amway Center a high-quality venue that continues to boost the local economy.
Smaller in scope, but not in cultural impacts to the community are the improvement project scopes for the Harry P. Leu Gardens and the Mennello Museum. At Leu Gardens, plans include improving and upgrading existing guest areas and experiences as well as adding new amenities and interactive activities such as a children’s garden and butterfly house.
The Mennello Museum is hoping to have a $29 million expansion project approved that would increase the existing 12,000 SF museum to include a 40,000 SF facility integrated around the current space increasing the number of quality exhibits, programs, and opportunities to serve the community. The project would also reimagine their green space creating a modern cultural destination on Lake Formosa. The expansion would allow the museum to attract a larger audience through new branded tourism efforts, earned income with multipurpose spaces for events and weddings, and create a greater economic impact in the area. The new facility design is both futuristic and timeless, something we know ABC members would be able to bring to life.
The vision for the future of these venues is a bright one being led by Allen Johnson who is passionate about giving the Orlando community spaces they can be excited about, and we know ABC members will be passionate about building.
