Smoke and Mirrors: Orlando Soccer Stadium, Almost Done Deal

Although Orange County commissioners claimed Tuesday, they were just being briefed on the financials of the proposed Orlando Soccer Stadium and Mayor Teresa Jacobs expressed concerns while being “jazzed up,” by Thursday night it appeared those questions had been answered.

Jacobs, in a memo to County Commissioners last night, outlined her plan for how Tourist Development Tax monies should be used, including directing $20 million to help build the soccer stadium.  Jacobs said, the funds are contingent upon the award of a Major League Soccer franchise.

On Tuesday, Phil Rawlins, Orlando City Soccer president presented his proposal to the County Commission for $20 million to help construct a $85 million stadium to host Major League Soccer. Rawlins said then, County support represented the “last domino” if MLS is to become a reality in Orlando.

As well as funding for the soccer stadium, Jacobs’ plan proposes $25 million for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and $12 million for the planned improvement of the Florida Citrus Bowl. The plan also includes a proposed $25 million over five years for Visit Orlando, for marketing and advertising and a $10 million set aside for capital needs for the Orange County Convention Center. 

According to Jacobs’ memo, the funding for these projects would come from “TDT reserves and will be contingent upon maintaining a $130 million reserve fund.”

“Over the next several weeks, County staff will be working with City staff to draft various proposed agreement and amendments to the TDT Plan Ordinance,” Jacobs’ memo continued. “Once this process is complete, I will schedule this item for a public hearing so that the Board can make the final decision on these various proposals.”

On Friday, at 1:30 p.m., the Tourist Development Council, an advisory body, will meet to consider and no doubt rubber stamp the proposals which utilize TDT revenues.  Following the TDC meeting, both Jacobs and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will hold a joint press conference to discuss the venues projects with the media.

And what of Jacobs’ next public hearing? Well, let’s just say, the corporate donors have again carried the day.

And the people of Parramore, the neighborhood in which the planned soccer stadium will be located?  They, no doubt, will continue to be left behind – without proper housing, good roads, schools, sustainable jobs – as happened on other venues projects, including the Florida Citrus Bowl and the Amway Center.