The streets of downtown Orlando are undergoing further changes to boost safety and security for pedestrians and businesses. City leaders are initiating a new phase of safety measures starting this Friday. According to a report by WFTV, this move comes after a Halloween shooting tragedy that claimed two lives, sparking a serious conversation about public safety in the bustling downtown area.
The City of Orlando is starting Phase 2 of a public safety plan to improve the downtown area for both pedestrians and drivers. Work is underway to reopen Orange Avenue for two-way traffic, which will help traffic flow. For now, the city's top priority is pedestrian safety. Barriers will be placed on Central Boulevard and Pine Street to keep foot traffic on the sidewalks and away from the road in response to public concerns and city officials' plans.
Additional details were shared by David Barilla, the executive director of the Downtown Development Board, who, in a WESH interview, explained that "what that did is start to remove some of that area in the streets by using bicycle barricades really just down that center lane of Orange Avenue, and now we are looking forward with Phase 2 of that program." Barilla stressed the intention behind the safety measures, "We want them to go to the places that line the streets so they can get inside, be safe through the additional safety measures that are in place there, and hopefully get home safely afterward."
The city’s plan focuses on keeping pedestrians on the sidewalks, supporting local businesses, and adding more code enforcement officers to improve downtown. The goal is to eventually allow vehicles on Orange, Pine, and Central streets at night on weekends in Phase 3. However, there is no set date for when this will happen.
