News and information from around Greater Orlando

By the Numbers

No. 1
Greater Orlando’s ranking in catering to first-time home buyers, according to real-estate company Zillow, which looked at prices, inventory, expected price growth and expected price reductions to determine the final results.

3.8%
The estimated unemployment rate for Orange and Seminole counties as of March, based on official data. The number marked one of the lowest rates our area has seen since the Great Recession and a 0.5-percent drop from the same time last year.

14,452
The attendance figure for the Orlando Pride’s first home game at Orlando City Stadium, which opened earlier this year. The crowd, which set a record for Pride attendance to date, was partially spurred on by the home debut of Brazilian soccer legend Marta in Pride gear.

$2.4 Million
The rough amount that the city of Winter Park will pay to nationally recognized architect David Adjaye and Orlando-based HuntonBrady Architects to design its new library and civic-center project in Martin Luther King Jr. Park, replacing the old civic center.

68 Million
The number of visitors that Greater Orlando hosted in 2016, according to Visit Orlando. The record-breaking number, which beat 2015’s results by 2 million, came despite lower hotel occupancy and theme-park attendance figures.

Hit or Miss

State lawmakers have passed a bill that will rename two Greater Orlando roads in honor of Orlando Police Department’s Lt. Debra Clayton and Orange County Deputy Norman Lewis. Clayton was slain while attempting to apprehend Markeith Loyd, and Lewis died in a motorcycle accident in the ensuing search.

In April, Orlando’s Creative Village Development Review Committee approved the design plans for University of Central Florida’s proposed downtown campus, which will be named the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons. The four-story complex will have 148,000 square feet, 35 classrooms, a library and a writing center.

Gatorland has announced plans for its largest expansion yet: the Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure. Slated to open in September, the new attraction will feature oversized, 12-foot-high off-road vehicles that take guests through mud puddles, swampland, ponds and more, with the project expected to cost $2 million.

Following an earlier announcement that he was stepping down as team president, Orlando City Soccer Club founder Phil Rawlins has revealed that he’s going into semi-retirement and is moving to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Rawlins, who will retain the title of “life president,” is credited with much of soccer team’s success to date.

In May, Ocoee city commissioners passed new rules restricting where sign-spinners can stand and perform while attracting customers for their respective businesses, barring them from using city right-of-way. The commissioners say the new rules are designed to eliminate distractions at intersections for safety reasons.

Lake County Deputy Dean Zipes was fired in April after allegedly waving his department-issued firearm and Tazer while quoting lines from Training Day, which is a Denzel Washington film about a corrupt police officer. When asked about the incident, which took place in February, Zipes claimed it was an attempt at humor.

Datebook

MAKE ‘M SMILE
June 3
Celebrating kids with special needs—aka VIPs—this event will feature fun-filled action all around Lake Eola, including entertainment, animals, characters, art projects, food and family activities, and it’s hosted by the nonprofit Nathaniel’s Hope. 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Lake Eola Park, $5 (free for special-needs attendees)

WOMEN’S GOLF DAY
June 6
The local edition of the worldwide Women’s Golf Day invites women and girls interested in golf to play and engage with each other. All are invited, from the beginner golfer to those playing for fun, business networking or competitively. 3-7 p.m., Reunion Golf Academy, $15 (members and resort guests free)

NIGHT HIKE AT THE CENTRAL FLORIDA ZOO
June 17
Experience the sights and sounds of the zoo at night during this nocturnal adventure. The evening will begin in the Discovery Center with up-close animal encounters, followed by a guided flashlight tour of the zoo itself. 7:30 – 10 p.m., Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, zoo admission required

Did You Hear?

“The community most impacted by this horrible event in our history should determine the future of the Pulse site and how their loved ones and the events of that day should be memorialized. I remain awestruck by how many people have stepped up and committed their hearts to this project.”
— PULSE NIGHTCLUB OWNER BARBARA POMA, on the launch of a community-driven initiative to establish a permanent memorial at the site

Voice & Vent

THIS MONTH, we rank the top towns in Greater Orlando. What sort of community do you prefer to live in? Share your opinion by visiting OrlandoFamilyMagazine.com’s Polls section and answering:

“Would you rather live in a small town with easy access to a major metropolitan area, or do you prefer true city living?”

Click on “Vote” to make your choice count. Next month, we’ll report back on what our readers are thinking.

In May, we asked: “When it’s time to tee off, do the golfers in your family favor high-end courses with lots of amenities, or do they prefer no-frills, low-cost options?”

47%of you said HIGH-END
53%of you said LOW-COST

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