By Yasmene Warren
Orlando has always been about creating spaces where community can come about. With a variety of highways strung about the city, it can be difficult to find community spaces close to home. That’s how the “Under-I Project” transformed into what was newly announced as “The Canopy” by the City of Orlando came to be. Let’s check it out!
What Is The Canopy?
The Canopy is the City of Orlando’s latest iteration of the project for an urban gathering space, to be built directly beneath Interstate 4, in Downtown Orlando.
This newly announced project gets its name from the concept design that blends nature and technology to create a vibrant, sustainable oasis.
Ideally, The Canopy will connect all of the city’s diverse neighborhoods and garner a sense of belonging and community, reflecting the spirit of downtown Orlando.
There are six core principles that this project will focus on in response to input from the community, according to the city's website:
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Connection: Seamlessly integrating with various modes of transportation to ensure accessibility for all.
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Safety: Prioritizing the well-being and security of visitors through thoughtful design and strategic planning.
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Community: Providing ample space for gatherings, festivals and cultural events that bring people together.
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Greenery: Infusing the urban landscape with lush landscaping and green spaces for relaxation and rejuvenation.
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Mobility: Creating pedestrian-friendly walkways and bike paths to encourage active lifestyles and sustainable transportation.
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Artistic Immersion: Enriching The Canopy with immersive art installations that captivate the imagination and inspire creativity.
What’s Included in The Canopy?
The Canopy will be nestled between Hughey and Garland avenues, directly beneath Interstate 4, near the courthouse and Kia Center.
The new, updated design allots space for a temporary rideshare zone and parking concept near Pine Street and Central Boulevard, which will consist of 150 temporary, public parking spaces. This will allow more flexible transportation options for those not local to downtown Orlando.
This will begin construction in early April 2024, and should be complete by this summer, with this part of the project set to last approximately 12 months.
The Canopy as a whole will emphasize nature and greenery as current renderings depict vibrant green grass and flourishing plant life - both natural and organic metal installments.
The cost for this project is estimated to be between $25 million and $30 million and is expected to take about 24 months to complete, beginning construction in early 2025.
Images by The City of Orlando
Overall
The city of Orlando was well on its way to becoming yet another concrete jungle, but with projects like The Canopy underway, the city is expanding to include a more natural and community-oriented space. Not only will The Canopy bring the community closer together and create a safe space for patrons to congregate, but it will add more parking (much needed downtown) and yet another unique charm to the City Beautiful that’ll keep people coming back for more.
Downtown Orlando
Known as the heart of Orlando, downtown is the hub for all the city’s happenings. From luxurious lake living near Lake Eola and Lake Ivanhoe to the exciting city vibes along Orange Avenue. If you’re looking for nightlife, downtown Orlando is the place to be. There are dozens upon dozens of bars to hop, as well as a thriving theater scene for lovers of the performing arts. Downtown Orlando is the one place where there’s truly a little bit of something for everyone. Sound like your cup of tea? Let us help you find your new home!
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