First off, the new Amway Center in downtown Orlando is just that, a Center. It is so much more than an arena has ever been.
With sporting amenities for every ticket-holder and shopping and enjoyment on non-event days, the Away Center has risen up in Orlando in a little over two years.
"This building went up so much better and faster than many others," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, "And for it to happen through our recent financial crisis is a testament to the strength of this city." The city of Orlando voted 5-2 to begin construction on this stadium, as well as renovate other area amenities, on July 26, 2007. Groundbreaking for the yet-to-be-named Amway Center started on July 25, 2008. It received it's name on August 5 of last year.
Nearly $100 million of the $380 million dollar facility was paid for by Orlando native businesses, over 30 percent of the contracts on the building, exceeding the 24 percent benchmark set before the building began by the city. Of those 30 percent, many of the firms utilized were either minority or female owned companies, many of whom may not have survived the recession had it not been for their work on the Amwa ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Alex Barrett
Amway Center a Magical New Home For the NBA and Orlando
October 1st, 2010 by Alex Barrett Leave a reply »
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