Mayor Buddy Dyer discusses the present, the future, and everything else he loves about the City Beautiful

For decades, outsiders derided Orlando for a perceived lack of culture and community, but thanks in part to Mayor Buddy Dyer, it’s increasingly difficult to make such charges stick. Between the debut of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, an upcoming soccer stadium, high-tech career paths and green initiatives, as well as growing inclusiveness for all residents, we’ve come a long way from our orange-grove past—and Dyer has provided key leadership in these and other areas since first taking office in 2003.

An Orlando native, Dyer has also watched our city grow in real time since the pre-Disney days, and his job puts him in a unique position to know where we’re headed tomorrow. Obviously, being mayor keeps him busy, which makes us all the more grateful that he was willing to speak with us for this interview.

ORLANDO FAMILY MAGAZINE: You seem to truly love Orlando. What is it about O-Town that keeps you around?

BUDDY DYER: There’s no place that I’d rather live than Orlando. I love this city; I love the people of this city. One of the things that’s great about Orlando is we’re setting our direction, we’re setting our course, now. A lot of cities have already made their history and have a set course, but we are anything but that. We are shaping it, and a lot of people have the opportunity to be part of that. You don’t have to be third-generation to be part of what’s happening here. We have a big table, and anybody can pull their chair up to it.

OFM: What are some of the more positive changes you’ve seen in Orlando during your lifetime?

BD: A lot of the amenities that we have placed in the last 10 years. That, and the growth in the downtown, the revitalization of the downtown, the community venues, SunRail, [Lake Nona’s] medical city. But I think what I would say is the most positive change is more of an intangible thing: It’s the fact that the community is very progressive and very optimistic about the future.

OFM: You’ve helped our city grow in many ways during your tenure. If you had to pick one, which of your mayoral accomplishments are you most proud of so far?

BD: So, that’s like picking between children? I can say that creating a culture of collaboration and the ability to work together with all segments of our community— whether it’s the business community, other local governments, the philanthropic community, [University of Central Florida (UCF)]—I think [that] would be what I consider my greatest accomplishment.

OFM: Back in June, Orlando underwent its worst tragedy to date with the Pulse nightclub shooting. The leadership role you played was invaluable, but we were also impressed by the way a diverse cross-section of residents came together in the wake of that event. What does that ease of unity say about Orlandoans?

BD: I think it reinforces the fact that we are a community that embraces diversity, equality and fairness. We have talked in the past about being a compassionate city, and I think that shined through during the days and weeks after Pulse.

OFM: Although Greater Orlando attracts tens of millions of visitors annually, most of them come for the theme parks. What are some compelling reasons for tourists to set aside a day to visit the city?

BD: I didn’t realize that. They’re coming here for Disney and Universal? [Laughter.] I would recommend anybody take a day and come to our downtown or the core of our community. It is a vibrant, downtown, urban experience. Lake Eola Park is a treasure. Our downtown, canopiedtreed, brick-street neighborhoods are a fantastic place to visit. Certainly, walking around Lake Eola Park to see our exhibits and then, if you’re here at night, to see an event at the Amway Center or our great performing arts center, those are unique experiences. And then another one would be all of the venues at Lock Haven Park, whether it’s the [Orlando] Museum of Art, the [Orlando Shakespeare Theater], the [Orlando Repertory Theatre], the [Mennello Museum of American Art]—all great things that you can’t find out on I-Drive.

OFM: What are some of Orlando’s hidden gems?

BD: I’d say the Mennello Museum and Leu Gardens are two that come right to mind. The [Orlando Ballet’s world-class ballet school] is another. The Urban Trail, Dubsdread [Golf Course], and I would say, although I think people have become accustomed to them now, the See Art Orlando [sculpture] pieces in downtown.

OFM: Orlando has major sports teams, theme parks, world-class restaurants and shopping, and many other reasons to live and visit, but we’re not done growing yet. What’s the next big thing you’d like to see come to town, and how would it help move us forward?

BD: I think the most significant thing that’s on the horizon is the UCF/Valencia downtown campus that’s part of Creative Village, and it’s going to be the catalyst for everything that happens both in Creative Village and throughout the downtown. … And with the construction of the campus, there are five other buildings, privately funded, that will be going up at the same time. So, I think that’s the next exciting thing.

OFM: Getting back to your day job, what else do you hope to accomplish before you leave office?

BD: Since I’m looking out the window—completing the back of the Performing Arts Center, and getting the downtown UCF/Valencia campus open. Probably on a more softer side is continuing to make substantial progress on the issue of homelessness.

OFM: Are you dreaming up any post-mayoral political plans, or will you be ready to retire once your work in Orlando is done?

BD: I haven’t contemplated life after being mayor.