By Jim Carchidi
July 21, 2026
A $975 million request for MLB stadium funding and $523 million in new convention center construction are among the $3 billion in requests for Orange County Tourist Development Tax distributions. Citizen Advisory Task Force members will begin reviewing proposals from local organizations, but not all are high-profile construction projects worth over $500 million.
Following the funds
The Orange County Tourist Development Tax amounts to a 6% levy on hotel rooms and short-term rentals. Nearly $400 million was collected in 2025 and state law requires the money go back into the industry it came from. A fund was created for the purpose and local organizations submit project proposals for county consideration.
Orlando City Baseball Dreamers, LLC are behind the stadium, planned for an International Drive property near and S.R. 528. Additional capital project requests include $750 million for new performance and event facilities at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. And Orange County Convention Center is asking for $523 million for a 200,000-square-foot addition to its North/South building.
A total of 24 organizations submitted plans for creative projects and facility expansions (the full list of requests can be viewed here). And not every proposal will make the cut as the impacts and importance to local tourism vary with each idea. The Orlando Real summarizes four proposals requesting $25 million or less that support additions benefiting tourism, education, and cultural enhancement.
A children's museum on Plant Street
A $25 million proposal by 8 Waves Corporation would create the I AM Children's Museum in East Winter Garden. The 20,000-square-foot facility would offer immersive indoor and outdoor destinations for children ages 1-12 at 971 E. Plant St. The corporation currently has a 30-year ground lease for the city-owned property and plans interactive exhibits and learning experiences for children and parents to explore together. Play environments and outdoor adventure spaces would focus on curiosity, confidence, creativity, and family engagement. The proposal also states the facility is aimed at boosting visitation and visitor spending throughout Orange County.
School of Arts & Entertainment at Cherokee
The Orange County School Board is requesting $20 million to create the nation’s first public high school focused on arts and immersive technology. While the project involves extensive construction, the plan is to combine historic preservation with modern arts and technology by renovating the historic Cherokee School building at 550 S. Eola Drive. An information page on the OCPS website describes the proposal as an effort to preserve the site “while preparing students for opportunities in Central Florida’s creative and innovation economy.” The page also states a traffic analysis is underway; a response to pushback from residents concerned over additional cars traveling through the neighborhood.
Orange Audubon Natural History Museum
A greenhouse nursery in Apopka is the focus of a $20 million Orange Audubon Society proposal for a free eco-tourism attraction. The 69.5-acre property would include restored natural areas and the Orange Audubon Natural History Museum, slated to occupy a renovated 3,400-square-foot LEED Gold building near Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. Exhibits would feature the history of the Lake Apopka restoration, local farming and horticulture, and rotating art installations and traveling exhibits. Plans for additional presentations include wellness through nature, and sustainable living.
Cultural tourism investment
The renowned Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra is requesting $10 million to establish a permanent Cultural Tourism Investment Fund. The one-time TDT allocation would remain as the principal investment with annual earnings supporting the orchestra’s performances and efforts to encourage overnight visitation and extended visitor stays through world-class cultural experiences.
What's next
The 30-member Citizen Advisory Task Force will begin meetings today, Tuesday, July 21, at the Orange County Administration Center at 201 S Rosalind Ave. Additional meetings are scheduled for July 28 and 29 and August 5. Recommendations will then be made to the Orange County Tourist Development Council and the Orange County Board of County Commissioners regarding potential uses of TDT revenues. Updates will be reported via the county website and social media as the process advances.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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