Church Street’s Next Act: Downtown Orlando Breaks Ground
Church Street in Downtown Orlando is entering a new chapter. The city officially broke ground this week on a $5.2 million redevelopment project aimed at bringing the historic corridor back to life.
What Is Happening to Church Street?
The City of Orlando has broken ground on a project to transform Church Street into a “Festival Street” between Garland Avenue and the railroad tracks. The redesign converts the corridor into a curbless, pedestrian-first space built to host festivals, outdoor dining, and everyday foot traffic rather than functioning primarily as a drive-through street.
What Does “Festival Street” Actually Mean?
A festival street is designed to prioritize people over cars. The redesign includes two 11-foot travel lanes, a curbless roadway with a flush transition into pedestrian space, semi-pervious paving, designated loading zones, and expanded room for landscaping and outdoor dining.
Rendering courtesy of the City of Orlando
When Will This Be Completed?
The project is officially expected to start in the second quarter of 2026 and finish by the first quarter of 2027, a construction window of roughly 8 to 10 months. Construction will proceed block by block with full curb-to-curb closures, though sidewalks are expected to remain open throughout, with only occasional short detours at intersections.
What’s Funding This Project?
This specific phase carries a $5.2 million budget, part of the city’s broader Building a Better Downtown Orlando initiative under the DTO Action Plan. The project is also connected to a larger $160 million tax-increment bond package approved in February 2026, which is funding other downtown improvements like a new gateway entrance project at Lake Eola.
Why Does This Location Matter?
Church Street sits at the heart of Downtown Orlando, near the Kia Center, City Hall, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and the SunRail station — making it a key gateway into downtown for both residents and visitors. Historically one of Orlando’s major entertainment destinations, the corridor has struggled with declining foot traffic and business closures in recent years.
What This Means Going Forward
Church Street’s redevelopment is one of the most visible pieces of Orlando’s broader push to reshape downtown into a more walkable, livable district. With construction expected to wrap by early 2027, this is a project worth watching over the next several months. I’ll continue following its progress and share updates as work advances.
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