News and information from throughout Greater Orlando

By the Numbers

49
The number of seats in a rainbow- colored section of the Orlando City Soccer Club’s new stadium, which is scheduled to open ahead of the team’s 2017 season. The seats, located in section 12, are intended to honor the 49 victims of 2016’s Pulse nightclub shooting.

69%
The increase in the quantity of guns confiscated at Orlando International Airport and Orlando Sanford International Airport in 2016. Those numbers account for 83 guns at the region’s main airport, and 10 guns in Sanford.

25,000
The decrease in the number of people living in poverty in Orange County in 2016 compared to 2015, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Per the report, poverty is defined as earning no more than $11,880 for individuals.

$23 Million
The amount Ripley Entertainment Inc. shelled out for 23.2 acres on Universal Boulevard. The company, which owns the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brand, is headquartered in Orlando but declined to comment on plans for the parcel.

$50.35 Million
The purchase price paid by South Florida developer Grover Corlew for the Orlando Central Office Park, which consists of 21 buildings near Fashion Square Mall. Corlew says he expects the property to be redeveloped over the next decade.

Hit or Miss

The International Champions Cup, which features internationally renowned soccer players, will play games at Camping World Stadium in 2017 and 2018 thanks to a Visit Orlando sponsorship deal. Visit Orlando will also be the competition’s official U.S. tourism partner for both years, with Orlando being one of 15 hosting cities.

Six months to the day after the June 12 Pulse shooting, the City of Orlando announced a new Safe Place initiative. As part of the program, the city will partner with local businesses to provide members of the LGBTQ community with easily identifiable safe places they can turn to if they’re the victims of crime or feel threatened.

The Orlando Magic has selected Lakeland as the home of their new NBA Development League, aka D-League, affiliate. The team, which has not yet been named, will play games at The Lakeland Center, and Magic officials are expecting the affiliate to begin play during the upcoming 2017-2018 season.

Altamonte Springs has announced plans to build a pedestrian tunnel under S.R. 436 in front of the Altamonte Mall, with the goal being to increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. The ninelane highway sees more than 60,000 vehicles per day, making it one of the area’s most dangerous roads to cross.

In late December, Orlando City Soccer Club co-founder Phil Rawlins stepped down as the team’s president, with Orlando City CEO Alex Leitao assuming day-to-day operations. Just two days after the announcement, Rawlins’ wife and fellow co-founder Kay Rawlins revealed that the couple was separating.

UP-Fieldgate US Investments, which owns Fashion Square Mall, was sued in January by lender Bancorp Bank for missing more than $1 million in payments in 2016 on a $42.2 million loan. Shortly thereafter, UP-Fieldgate filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but the company says the mall will remain open for the time being.

Datebook

2017 OSCEOLA COUNTY FAIR AND KISSIMMEE VALLEY LIVESTOCK SHOW
2/10-19
In addition to midway rides, the 2017 Osceola County Fair and Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show will feature a strolling bubble factory, petting zoo, live music, pig races, karaoke contest, livestock auction, the Miss Osceola Scholarship Pageant and more. Times vary, Osceola Heritage Park, prices vary

ORLANDO HOME & GARDEN SHOW
2/17-19
With thousands of square feet of exhibits, the Orlando Home & Garden Show gives attendees the chance to find the latest in products and services for everything they need to realize their dream home and landscaping, including builders, contractors, materials and much more. Times vary, Orange County Convention Center, prices vary

BLUES B-Q
2/18
Celebrating its 11th anniversary, this year’s Blues B-Q will feature musical acts and some of Orlando’s best barbecue available for purchase. It will take place at City Commons Plaza in downtown Orlando, and best of all, admission won’t cost your family a dime. 4-10 p.m., 400 S. Orange Ave., Free

Did You Hear?

“In my now 23 years in law enforcement, I don’t know that I know of a better example of a unified group, across federal, state and local law enforcement … on one mission.”

—Orlando Police Department (OPD) Chief John Mina
Following the successful completion of a nine-day manhunt for Markeith Loyd, who’s accused of killing OPD Lt. Debra Clayton on January 9

This article originally appeared in Orlando Family Magazine’s February 2017 issue.