In something close to an about-face, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacosb sent a letter to Major League Soccer ownership and said she'd "fast-track" a proposal for a soccer stadium in downtown Orlando, it was learned on Friday.
The soccer stadium has long been a key piece of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer's plan to rejuvenate the commercial real estate of downtown Orlando by creating a sports, entertainment and nightlife neighborhood near Amway Arena, but until now, Jacobs has publicly been rather cool toward the concept.
While Dyer has struck a go-go-go attitude, Jacobs has been more reluctant, indicating she'd like to commit fewer resources to the stadium and wants studies done to better assess whether a soccer stadium (and an MLS expansion team) would be economically beneficial for Orange County.
Now, however, it seems she is much more receptive to public assistance for the stadium. It is not immediately clear what's behind her change in attitude, or if the letter is as indicative of a change in perspective as it seems to be.
Because a soccer stadium has the potential to so greatly affect the real estate of downtown Orlando, this is an issue we have been watching unfold with great interest. A popular soccer team and a brand-new stadium could revitalize property values, but things do not always work out as planned -- what if the team is a bust or the public scorns the stadium?
If there are any relevant updates in the near future, we will be sure to keep you posted.
Source: The Orlando Sentinel, "Mayor Jacobs offers 'fast track' for soccer stadium," Mark Schlueb and David Damron, May 30, 2013
