Downtown Kissimmee is about to look very different. The city has opened construction bidding on Connect Kissimmee, a two-phase, $16.3 million complete-streets overhaul that will reshape W. Emmett Street, Broadway, and N. Main Street between John Young Parkway and Vine Street. The plan trims Broadway from four lanes to two, adds a roundabout at Ruby and Stewart, and carves out bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and new on-street parking. City planners say the redesign is meant to slow traffic, cut through driving, and make the corridor easier for people walking, biking, and riding transit. Phase 1 is set to kick off this summer with an estimated finish in 2028, and Phase 2 is scheduled for 2029.
Funding and timeline
According to the City of Kissimmee, Phase 1 carries an estimated price tag of $9,316,579, with $6,582,000 in federal funds and $2,583,842 in local money. Phase 2 is estimated at $6,983,960, of which $5,527,495 would come from federal funding and $467,760 from local sources. The city lists Phase 1's estimated completion as 2028, and Phase 2's as 2029. The project page also offers downloadable engineering plans and a staff contact for contractors and residents who want a closer look.
What will change on Broadway and nearby streets
The redesign swaps road width for people space. Broadway will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction to make room for a dedicated bike lane and expanded sidewalks, and the existing intersection at Ruby and Stewart will be replaced with a new roundabout. On-street parking will be added in certain segments to support storefronts and help slow vehicles. Reactions from locals are mixed. "There's crosswalks and stuff, but not a lot of [drivers] listen to them," one longtime visitor told News 6, while a downtown employee countered, "I think that it'll be better for all the businesses." As reported by WKMG ClickOrlando, the city began accepting construction bids this week.
Why officials pushed the change
City planners are pitching the project as both a safety fix and a downtown boost, saying slower lanes and better sidewalks should encourage people to stick around and spend money at local businesses. "This project is essentially for all users of the roadway. This includes pedestrians, motorist cyclists and even transit users," Kissimmee Public Works Director Ashley Willis told Spectrum News 13. As an early step toward that safer corridor, the city lowered speed limits in parts of downtown to 25 mph last year, a new 25 mph rule that city officials pointed to as preparation for the coming changes.
Construction impacts and what's next
City staff says they will try to keep downtown businesses reachable throughout construction by sequencing work and maintaining customer access where possible. Designers built the lane reduction into Phase 1 so the road does not have to be torn up twice. Contractors can review the engineering drawings and submit proposals through the city's procurement portal now that bidding has opened. As WKMG ClickOrlando noted, officials expect to start work this summer once a contractor is selected.
Follow the plans
Residents and business owners who want to track every cone and detour can find detailed maps, phasing information, and a project contact on the city's Connect Kissimmee page. The downloadable plans include staging details that will inform how traffic is controlled and how storefront access is maintained while crews are on site. For project documents and sign-ups for construction updates, the city directs the public to its Connect Kissimmee project page.
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