By Jim Carchidi
October 13, 2026
The next phase of Orlando’s Church Street renovation is all about the bricks. Personalized pavers on either side of the street are up for grabs to those who can claim ownership, and city staff will be on hand this week to assist.
Personal memories
Church Street developer Bob Snow planned a series of renovations and repairs during the 1980s that included the Bumby Arcade and neighboring buildings. To help finance the projects, community members were offered the chance to buy personalized, commemorative bricks to be placed along the sidewalk. The names, memories, and messages have been part of the landscape for decades. But the mementos are being removed as part of new street designs and an effort is under way to return them to their rightful owners.
Schedules and procedures
Bricks are located by the Bumby Arcade entrance and in front of the former Ceviche address at 125 W. Church St. City Ambassadors are available this week at the corner of Church Street and Garland Avenue to aid the recovery effort. The public can stop by from noon-2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. through Oct. 16. Ambassadors will also be available Oct. 17 from 9 a.m.-noon.
Owners must present a valid ID and Ambassadors will record the location of the bricks. A City of Orlando representative told The Orlando Real that bricks will be removed starting the week of Oct. 19 and available for pickup in November. There are currently no plans for any unclaimed bricks.
Construction timeline
Church Street upgrades will feature a level, curbless design and will take place in three phases. The first (between Garland Avenue and the railroad tracks) is expected to be complete by the end of the year. Phase 2 (from the train tracks to Orange Avenue) will be finished in the fourth quarter of 2027. Phase 3 (from Orange Avenue to Magnolia Avenue) will be complete by early summer 2028.
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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