Happy Thursday, Orlando. We’ll likely see some scattered storms throughout the day today, with skies potentially clearing up this evening. Highs are back in the 80s, peaking at around 85 this afternoon. Here’s what’s on deck:

• City and Businesses Clash Over Late-Night Restrictions

• Orange County OKs Student Housing Boom Near UCF

Let’s dive in.

BUSINESS

City and Businesses Clash Over Late-Night Restrictions

The big picture: Orlando's efforts to curb late-night activity downtown have sparked tension between city officials and business owners, who argue that these measures hurt the nightlife economy.

The conflict:

• Parking restrictions: Orlando Police Chief Eric D. Smith announced an end to a pilot program that restricted access to city-owned parking garages after 11 p.m. on weekends, following backlash from business owners.

• Impact on businesses: Business owners reported significant drops in customers due to these restrictions, with some referring to the new rules as a "disaster."

City's perspective: Smith explained that the early garage closures were part of an experiment to manage crowds and enhance safety. He hinted at more crowd control measures in the future, including possible road closures.

Business owners' concerns:

• Economic impact: Owners argue that the restrictions hurt their businesses (with some seeing around a 30% drop) and that a thriving downtown nightlife is essential for the local economy.

• Logistical issues: Road closures and parking restrictions frustrate both business owners and patrons, making navigation difficult and preventing pickups for restaurants utilizing food delivery apps.

Looking ahead: Smith mentioned the likelihood of further "experiments" to find a balance between crowd control and supporting businesses, while District 5 Commissioner Shan Rose urged state legislators to engage with business owners to influence policies affecting downtown.

Read more here (Orlando Business Journal)

HOUSING

Orange County OKs Student Housing Boom Near UCF

What's happening: Orange County commissioners have given the green light to three off-campus student housing projects near UCF, set to add over 3,600 new bedrooms.

The details: Projects include converting a church site into a 595-bedroom complex and replacing the Fairwinds Credit Union building with a 626-bedroom facility. The largest project will replace a vacant 1970s apartment complex, introducing 2,400 bedrooms.

Why it matters: With UCF's enrollment nearing 70,000, housing demand has soared, pushing prices up and making options scarce. These new developments aim to alleviate the housing crunch and bring relief to students.

Context: Orlando is Florida’s frontrunner when it comes to off-campus student housing projects, driven by UCF’s massive student body. Enrollment has surged from around 40,000 in 2003 to nearly 70,000 now, underscoring the rapid growth and the urgent need for more development.

What’s next: While construction timelines and occupancy dates remain uncertain, further updates are expected as the projects progress.

Read more here (Click Orlando)

QUICK HITS

In Other News…

1. An Orlando roofing company was slapped with a $511,000+ fine for not purchasing workers’ comp insurance.

2. MCO had its biggest Fourth of July travel period in history, hosting around 1.5M travelers.

3. Even more pickleball is coming to Orlando, with a new social club in SoDo expected to open 7 courts in 2025.

4. A new road sign welcomes visitors and residents to the “free state of Florida”.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s edition of the newsletter. See you back here tomorrow.

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