Preserving Constitution Green Park

20 Free Things to Do this Fall in the City
Posted date: September 15, 2015

Posted date: October 02, 2015
Treewide

Today I joined with District 4 City Commissioner Patty Sheehan and our community to make an exciting announcement about a plan that will allow the City to preserve Constitution Green Park in Downtown Orlando and the historic live oak tree at the park.

As many of you know, Constitution Green is privately owned by the Caruso family and they have generously donated this land to the City to operate as a park for nearly 30 years for our community to enjoy.

Recently, they began working on a plan to develop this prime piece of real estate in the heart of our Downtown. They wanted to build a high-rise residential apartment building at this location, which not only threatened the future of this park, but also the historic and magnificent oak tree here.

As this news began to spread, so did the passion of our community for this special place in our city. We heard from thousands of residents in our community about their connection with this park and special place.

And we knew, this place was key to our vision for our city and our Downtown. Our Project DTO process specifically identified the need for more green space and trees in our urban core.

So we rolled our sleeves up and got to work, looking at options and ways that we could work with the Caruso family to develop a plan that not only saved the park, but also ensured the protection of one of Orlando’s oldest trees.

Today, we announced this plan that provides a way for us to acquire this park that is well below the appraised value on the property. To accomplish this, the City will exchange a piece of city-owned property and provide CRA funding to purchase this property. This agreement is expected to come to City Council for a vote later this year.

This plan ensures that Constitution Green remains in the heart of our Downtown, continuing to magnetize people to it, strengthening our city and neighborhoods and making Orlando a more attractive place to live, work, play and thrive.

I’d like to thank all of all of our residents for your passion for our city and your love for this fantastic green space and beautiful tree, which has made an impact on Orlando forever.

Because of your involvement in our city, together, today we celebrate another moment where we are proud to live in Orlando, our City Beautiful.

– Buddy Dyer, Mayor

http://www.cityoforlando.net/mayor/2015/10/preserving-constitution-green-park/