“We congratulate the City on this project and its ongoing commitment to the SoDo District. As the southern gateway into Downtown Orlando, this corridor has long been positioned for revitalization, with multiple key projects underway. The City’s investment reflects confidence in its future and reinforces momentum for private sector interest in the district. It is also encouraging to see existing industrial property thoughtfully repurposed in a way that preserves the character of the area while supporting important City operations, including retaining In Bloom, a long-standing small business in the community.”
– MISTY HEATH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SODO MAIN STREET DISTRICT
Orlando City Council voted unanimously on May 11 to spend $9.4 million on the former Triangle Reprographics complex on South Hughey Avenue, a 3.4-acre industrial facility that will house multiple city departments.
The General Fund-fueled purchase, supported by two appraisals putting fair market value between $8.8 million and $11.3 million, will give divisions, including the sign and signal shop and the sustainability department, a new operational home on the South Hughey Avenue and Gore Street corridor.
The three-parcel property at 806 and 850 S. Hughey Avenue [GMap] and 405 W. Gore Street [GMap] includes 57,517 SF of combined office and warehouse space, a 10,000 SF covered canopy for parking and loading, and 121 paved parking spaces.
Commissioner Patty Sheehan, whose district includes the property, made the motion to approve. Commissioner Chapin seconded. No members of the public spoke at the hearing.
“I’ll just say it’s well-needed space,” Sheehan said. “It’s a great location. Commissioners, if you get a chance to get a quick little tour down there, it’s worth your while.”
In Bloom Florist, operated by Florida Retail Flowers, Inc., has been a tenant at the complex since April 2023 and will continue under the city as its new landlord.
The deal is scheduled to close on June 30.
The city’s Downtown Orlando Action Plan identifies the South Hughey and Gore Street area as a “southern gateway to downtown” where land assembly is a priority. A separate streetscape improvement project along South Hughey from Gore Street to Michigan Street is underway at an estimated $2.1 million and is expected to be completed in 2027.
The city is also moving forward with the O-Line project, a multimodal trail along the west side of the SunRail tracks on South Hughey Avenue between Gore and Columbia streets, designed to improve pedestrian safety and boost economic development in the South of Downtown district.
