City of Orlando

Gateway District is Orlando Main Streets’ largest district, stretching seven miles along Semoran Boulevard from the 408 to Orlando International Airport. As an international hub of culture, cuisine, and experiences, it serves as the gateway for visitors arriving in Orlando. With its size and blend of small businesses, major hotels, and national brands, leading the district requires exceptional skill. In four years as Executive Director, Amilcar Córdova has delivered exactly that. He joined at the tail end of the pandemic, when uncertainty and leadership turnover challenged the district. Board President Miguel Guinard shared, “Amil stepped in during a time when things felt uncertain and tough, and he helped us move forward. Thanks to him, we were able to bring back our networking events, keep our community gatherings alive, and even bring world-class jazz musicians to our area. He’s helped us reach our multicultural neighbors, especially our Hispanic business owners, and he’s always found a way to move projects forward, even when our district presents unique challenges.” Thank you, Amil, for your continued leadership and passion driving the district forward. The City of Orlando is proud to have you as a partner and looks forward to seeing all you’ll accomplish in the future!

The southeastern portion of our city remains one of the fastest-growing parts of all of Central Florida. People continue to move there to live in neighborhoods that prioritize walkability, wellness and quality of life. Businesses continue to invest in the area and grow with other innovative companies and organizations. Keeping these residents, businesses and every person in the city safe is the top priority for the City of Orlando. That's why we are adding a new fire station that will serve Lake Nona. Station 18 will help our dedicated Orlando Fire Department first responders deliver high-quality medical care and fire services that our community depends on them for. Thanks to the city's focus on public safety – and our strong fiscal management – Station 18 is fully funded. Just like the replacement stations that we recently opened in Dover Shores and at Orlando Executive Airport, it shows that the City of Orlando will keep delivering the core functions of local government at a high level, and in a financially responsible way.

During today’s State of Downtown address at Kia Center, hosted by the Downtown Orlando Partnership, Mayor Dyer and community leaders shared progress on the work to create a vibrant neighborhood for all in the heart of our city. Mayor Dyer outlined the essential elements guiding downtown’s transformation: arts and culture, food, job creation, housing, transportation and places where people come together. Event attendees had the opportunity to learn about a development related to that last element – places where people come together – that could shape the future of downtown. Midtown Development's Rick Perez shared his group’s intent to pursue a long-term investment of the nearly 20-acre former Orlando Sentinel site, along Colonial Drive. Midtown is partnering with Heatherwick Studio, the globally-renowned design and architecture firm known for transformational public spaces, to lead conceptual design work on the project. Heatherwick’s international experience includes New York’s Little Island, a 2.4-acre public park above the Hudson River, Tokyo’s Azabudai Hills and London’s Coal Drops Yard, which transformed historic industrial structures into roughly 100,000 square feet of vibrant retail, dining, and cultural experiences. Their involvement aligns with the city’s continued efforts to create a downtown that is a thriving neighborhood for everyone.

Please join us at the City Council meeting on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 2 p.m. in Council Chambers as we honor two dedicated members of our Orlando City Council: Commissioner Robert Stuart, retiring after 20 years of service as District 3 Commissioner, and Commissioner Jim Gray, completing 13 years of service as District 1 Commissioner. Born and raised in Orlando, Commissioner Stuart has dedicated his life to civic service, including more than 25 years of leadership at the Christian Service Center and volunteer involvement with numerous community and faith-based organizations. During his time on the City Council, he has championed the enhancement of Orlando’s neighborhoods, supported small businesses and our Main Streets and worked to keep our community safe and thriving. Under Commissioner Gray’s leadership, District 1 has experienced extraordinary transformation, from new residential neighborhoods and business centers to expanded parks, trails and community amenities, all enhancing the quality of life for Lake Nona and the entire city. He has represented Orlando with integrity, a business-focused perspective and a steadfast commitment to fostering a community where families and businesses can thrive. We hope you will join us at the City Council meeting to recognize the impactful leadership and service of both Commissioner Stuart and Commissioner Gray to the residents of Orlando, as we celebrate the lasting legacy they leave on our growing city. 

The recipient of the Orlando Fire Department's inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award is well deserving of this new honor. Arthur Zackery has served Orlando for a remarkable 51 years. He joined the department in 1971 as a firefighter and spent 27 years as a first responder. After three years of retirement, he once again answered the call to serve and returned to OFD in a new role within the department's Logistics Division. Over the past 24 years in that role, he's supported our city's first responders by delivering station supplies, managing uniform orders and washing bunker gear, among other duties. Arthur exemplifies the true spirt of public service and has impacted OFD and our entire city. Please join us in celebrating Arthur and thanking him for his dedication to Orlando.

Many people don’t realize it, but every year the City of Orlando brings together a dedicated team of kayakers, veterinarians, staff, and trained volunteers for a very special tradition at Lake Eola Park, the annual Swan Round-Up. This year, over 60 of our iconic swans were gently guided to shore for their yearly checkup. From weigh-ins to wellness exams and vaccinations, each swan gets the care it needs to stay healthy, happy and ready to get back to showing off around Lake Eola like the celebrities they are. As part of this year’s routine, the swans were also fitted with identification bands to help us monitor them and ensure we can quickly locate any that wander beyond their usual spots. These swans are part of what makes Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando so beloved, and caring for them is a responsibility we take seriously. To learn more about the programs supported by the Orlando Community & Youth Trust — including efforts that help care for Lake Eola’s swans — visit: orlandotrust.org/swan

Our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) team hosted a well-attended open house in celebration of Geography Week and GIS Day. The event provided our city staff with insight into how GIS supports city operations and enhances services for our residents, from mapping infrastructure to improving emergency response and facilitating long-term planning. Thank you to the GIS team for creating an engaging and educational experience: Daniel Albrecht M.S., GIS Applications Developer II Clarice A., GIS Technician I Lauren Snoderly, GIS Analyst I Duane Stephens, GIS Manager Arnuun Kanya, GIS Analyst I Their work continues to help us understand our city better and make data-driven decisions that support Orlando’s growth and sustainability.

This year marks the City of Orlando's 150th anniversary. One of the ways that we celebrate our community's past is through our city parks. This week, we unveiled a new history sign at Kevin Tyjeski Park, a small park off Rosalind Avenue in downtown. The sign shares the impact of the late City of Orlando planner, who spent 18 years helping to guide development in the community before passing away in 2013. Kevin's family and former colleagues joined Mayor Dyer and Commissioner Rose to help celebrate Kevin's legacy as the sign was unveiled. The results of Kevin's planning work can be found throughout the community, including at Baldwin Park, which has received countless national awards for master-planned community design. Kevin helped ensure that Baldwin Park was a showcase of smart growth, and his impact continues on today. Each day, he provided a wonderful example of how to lead with passion, kindness and a deep understanding of the needs of his community. Through this new sign, we're able to showcase Kevin's work and impact on our city.

The ribbon has been cut, and the new Orlando Fire Department Station 6 is now open. Located off East Colonial Drive near the Orlando Executive Airport, the replacement station provides OFD first responders with the technology and amenities to help them continue to deliver high-quality medical care and fire services to residents. This includes individualized bunkrooms, bathrooms, gyms and decontamination rooms. The station is a reminder that the City of Orlando's top priority is the safety of our community. We will continue to invest funding from property taxes in OFD and OPD to keep our city safe. And we're grateful for our partnership with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority: Orlando International (MCO) and Executive (ORL) Airports that made this station possible.

We’re grateful to One Heart for Women and Children and all the organizations who joined us at the Mayor’s Council of Clergy meeting to share their mission and the services they provide for our residents. This gathering brings together leaders from Orlando’s faith community to strengthen collaboration and service across our city. Partnerships like these reinforce our city’s support network — connecting clergy, nonprofits, and community leaders so more families can access food, essentials, and resources when they need them most. Thank you to our community partners for the work you do every day. Together, we’re building a stronger, more compassionate Orlando.