In Orlando, it pays to be buddies with the mayor. Yesterday, the Orlando City Council passed its latest wave of corporate welfare as they gave away office space in the half billion dollar Amway Center for just $1 a year.
After the incredible price tag of the new Amway, taxpayers may think this prime downtown real estate should be in high demand. Instead Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is rewarding his friends at the Central Florida Sports Commission with $1 rent for the next five years, and an option to renew for another five years. They will also enjoy free parking in the expensive Geico garage as part of the lease agreement.
The board of the Central Florida Sports Commission is full of Dyer’s donors, supporters and Chamber of Commerce types. It even includes Fred Leonhardt of Gray Robinson and the infamous “No Name Club” and Phil Rawlins of the Orlando City who have been busy lobbying for Dyer’s latest $100 million stadium proposal.
Of course, normal Orlando residents and small businesses don’t get this kind of deal on anything. Parramore residents who have suffered for a decade under Dyer do not benefit from these sweetheart deals either.
This deal is very similar to the $1/year sweetheart deal the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce pays for their property at 75 South Ivanhoe Boulevard. Orlando City Commissioners have now extended this insider deal to 400 W Church Street after the taxpayers footed the bill for construction.
From the lease, approved as part of Dyer’s consent agenda on July 8, 2013:
2.1 Rent. Beginning on Commencement Date and continuing throughout the Term, Tenant shall pay to the Landlord, without prior demand and without any deduction of set-off, Rent, plus applicable Florida state sales tax. Tenant shall pay to Landlord on the Commencement Date rent for all five (5) years of the term in the amount of Five and No/100 Dollars ($5.00) (Rent).
Corporate welfare at its finest and a broken “buddy system” fully at play in Orlando.
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