The Church Street Festival Street project is underway in Downtown Orlando, with construction that aims to transform one of the main avenues in Downtown Orlando. The initiative is part of the Downtown Orlando Action Plan, a city hall program focused on revitalizing the city's center, with the goal of attracting more visitors, strengthening local businesses and creating more pleasant public spaces for residents and tourists.
The first phase focuses on the stretch between Garland Avenue and the SunRail tracks, with an investment of $5.2 million and completion expected by the first quarter of 2027. The main difference will be the elimination of traditional curbs, creating a continuous surface between the street and pedestrian areas, with two travel lanes of approximately 11 feet, loading and unloading areas, landscaping and semipermeable surface.
Church Street occupies a strategic position, close to important points such as the Kia Center, City Hall, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and the SunRail station. The complete transformation will be carried out in three phases, with completion expected by 2028. The second phase will include benches, green areas and urban furniture, while the third phase calls for the conversion of part of the street into a one-way road and integration of the LYMMO bus service.
During construction there will be traffic impacts, with closures of sections of the road, although sidewalks will remain open. The expectation of authorities is that the revitalization will help recover Church Street's activity and strengthen restaurants, bars, shops and other establishments in the area, transforming the street into a more flexible, accessible space prepared to welcome residents, tourists and events.
