C.T. Hsu + Associates, P.A. Discusses Venue Projects’ Effects in Central Florida

ORLANDO, FL--The Orlando Magic have a beautiful new home court; fans have a terrific new events center to enjoy games, concerts and events; and the City Beautiful has added an iconic piece of architecture to its skyline. 

The Amway Center's (centered photo above) official ribbon cutting ceremony on October 1 at 10:01 a.m. was followed by (outgoing) Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer (top right photo) addressing the general public in his annual State of Downtown address in the new $480 million center. He emphasized the culmination of the collective vision to bring a world-class events center and sports arena to downtown Orlando.

Downtown Venues

The Amway Center is the first completed venue project for the City of Orlando.  Back on September 29, 2006, local government and business leaders - including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty (middle left photo), and Orlando Magic Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins (middle right photo) - announced an agreement to develop a new arena in downtown Orlando, a state-of-the-art performing arts center and a face-lift for the aging Citrus Bowl.

At the time, Dyer called it a "downtown version" of Disney's move to Central Florida, and Crotty said, "These facilities will make downtown - the heart of Orange County - a world-class urban center."

Economic Benefits

The Amway Center and Geico Garage's construction created hundreds of construction-industry and trade jobs for Central Florida.

Viewing these venues as opportunities to positively impact the local neighborhoods, the City of Orlando committed to provide opportunities for local residents and businesses through the creation of the BLUEPRINT program, which served as a framework and model for inclusiveness and community building throughout the various levels of contracting.

The Community Venues BLUEPRINT Employment Office also ensures the same inclusiveness for the Dr. P. Phillips Performing Arts Center and Citrus Bowl projects. 

The Amway Center has given the surrounding Church Street and Parramore areas an economic boost during its inaugural year of operation through hundreds of direct jobs and increased foot traffic to local restaurants and bars on game and event days. The upcoming 2012 NBA All-Star weekend alone is expected to generate an estimated $90 million for the local economy.

C.T. Hsu + Associates' Role on the Amway Center

The Amway Center was the first Orlando venues project to move forward.  International architecture firm Populous (formerly HOK Sports) was selected as the lead design firm.

 C.T. Hsu + Associates, P.A. (CTH+A) was selected to be an architectural consultant on the project, and was tasked with supporting Populous in the articulation of the exterior architecture. This included providing coordination, development and documentation of the event center's exterior enclosure, including all walls and roof components and assemblies for all phases. Read More....

C.T. Hsu + Associates' Role on the Geico Garage (lower left photo)

 When the PCL Construction Services, Inc. and CTH+A team was selected by the City of Orlando for the new Amway Center parking garage, the firms set out to design and build a structure that would be more than a typical parking garage, and one that would be a recognizable complement to the Amway Center.

The resulting signature structure - with a fifth floor pedestrian bridge to the Amway Center - is an architecturally-significant counterpart to the Amway Center that is highly visible to those driving through the heart of downtown Orlando on I-4.

t's a standout "green" architectural addition to the Orlando cityscape that sets the benchmark for sustainable design in a parking structure. It's one of a very limited few to qualify for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

 Contact:

C.T. Hsu + Associates, P.A., 820 Irma Avenue · Orlando, FL 32803 · 407 423 0098 · Fax 407 423 4793, http://www.cthsu.com/