Orlando city leaders have given final approval for The Canopy, a proposed 10-acre public space under Interstate 4 in downtown Orlando, with construction expected to begin within 60 days.
The project will transform under-used space beneath I-4 into a community destination with areas for events, art, trails, multimodal connections, parking, and community programming.
“It’s finally here, and we look forward to hosting you,” said Shan Rose, District 5 commissioner for the city of Orlando.
The Canopy will extend from south of West Church Street to north of West Washington Avenue between Garland Avenue and South Hughey Avenue. City leaders said the project is intended to create more open space downtown while improving connections through the area.
“This is our commitment to creating more open space here in downtown Orlando,” Rose said. “True commitment to activating an area, as well as creating parking opportunities that we have missed here in downtown.”
Rose said the project is part of a larger effort to improve east-west connections from Camping World Stadium to downtown Orlando.
“This is part of our east-west connection, Project DTO, making sure that we can connect everyone, so we create a better opportunity, world-class city for everyone to live, work and play in,” Rose said.
According to the city, the design focuses on six core principles residents identified as most important: connection, safety, community, greenery, mobility, and artistic immersion.
David Barilla, executive director of the Downtown Development Board and Community Redevelopment Agency for the City of Orlando, says construction could begin within the next 30 to 60 days.