Groundbreaking Set for Church Street's Transformation into Festival St

Groundbreaking Set for Church Street's Transformation into Festival St

Last updated on July 06, 2026

Groundbreaking Set for Church Street's Transformation into Festival Street
First phase of major downtown project advances the Downtown Orlando Action Plan and creates a more vibrant, pedestrian-focused destination

WHAT:
The City of Orlando's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will host a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of Phase I of the Church Street Festival Street project, marking another major milestone in implementing the Downtown Orlando (DTO) Action Plan and reimagining the future of downtown Orlando.

The project will transform Church Street from Garland Avenue east to Magnolia Avenue into a vibrant festival street that prioritizes people, enhances the pedestrian experience and strengthens one of downtown Orlando's most historic and culturally significant corridors. Designed to support year-round events, outdoor dining, local businesses and multimodal travel, the project reflects the community's vision for a more connected, accessible and welcoming downtown.

Guided by the DTO Action Plan, the reconstruction will help reduce cut-through traffic while creating a flexible streetscape that better balances access, movement and public gathering space. The project will reinforce Church Street's role as a civic and cultural destination for residents, workers and visitors alike.

The Church Street Festival Street Project will be completed in three phases:

Phase I (Garland Avenue to the Railroad Tracks) will reconstruct the corridor into an Exceptional Streetscapes Festival Street featuring two 11-foot travel lanes, a curbless roadway that seamlessly connects to pedestrian spaces, a semi-pervious street surface, designated loading and unloading areas, and expanded opportunities for landscaping. Construction begins following the groundbreaking ceremony and is anticipated to be complete in winter 2026.

Phase II (Railroad Tracks to Orange Avenue) continues the Festival Street vision with textured paving that visually extends the sidewalks into the roadway to calm traffic, designated loading and unloading areas while incorporating linear benches, planters and movable furniture that encourage people to gather, linger and enjoy the district. Construction is anticipated to be complete in spring 2028.

Phase III (Orange Avenue to Magnolia Avenue) will convert the corridor from one-way eastbound traffic to two-way operations while integrating LYMMO bus service into the regular travel lanes, creating a more intuitive and connected transportation network. Construction is anticipated to be complete in early summer 2028.

As construction begins, motorists, pedestrians and downtown visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and allow additional travel time as work progresses. Once complete, the transformed Church Street will serve as a vibrant public space that supports community events, celebrates Orlando and continues building a more dynamic downtown for generations to come.

WHO:
Mayor Buddy Dyer
District 5 City Commissioner Shan Rose
David Barilla, Executive Director, Downtown Development Board/Community Redevelopment Agency

WHEN:
Tuesday, July 7
10:30 a.m.

WHERE:
128 West Church Street (Exterior of Cheyenne Saloon)

MEDIA INFORMATION:
Media may park on Church Street outside 55 West Church Street and the Kress Building. Media credentials will be required to access the road-closure area. Additional paid parking is available in the SunTrust parking garage.
Please R.S.V.P. to Andrea Otero, City of Orlando Public Information Manager by calling 321-689-7085 or emailing [email protected].

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