COVID Resource Relief Extension
Last updated on August 10, 2020
The City of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board/Community Redevelopment Agency continues to seek ways to support businesses as they begin to reopen or enhance operations responsibly as part of the state’s phased plan for reopening Florida’s economy. Local businesses provide a livelihood for residents and access to job opportunities. We seek to continue efforts to support our businesses and the community as they creatively utilize these opportunities to remain open and operate safely for customers throughout this pandemic.
Today, City Council approved the extension of the following items:
Free Parking: Park DTO
For a limited time, you can enjoy on-street parking and garage parking inside specific City of Orlando garages for FREE while dining and shopping downtown thanks to the Park DTO Program. Downtown businesses are working to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, and they need your help. The Park DTO Program is designed to increase visitation and spending in downtown Orlando by temporarily funding parking costs now through February 1, 2021. The number of times that a person may use promotion codes for metered on-street parking is increasing from up to three (3) times to up to four (4) times with the code ParkDTO on the ParkMobile app (effective Tuesday, August 10, 2020). For more information, click here.
MEBA Rent Abatement
Are you a minority or woman owned business in need of rent assistance?
The Minority/Women Entrepreneur Business Assistance (MEBA) Program is a small business assistance program that was established to retain existing minority-owned businesses located within the Target Area(PDF, 761KB) , and to attract new minority-owned businesses to this area.
The Rent Abatement Program can provide qualified new and existing businesses (retail and services) with up to $6,000 in rent assistance for a limited period, from July 7, 2020 to February 1, 2021.
To learn more about eligibility and to apply, click here.
Food Truck Parking Meters
The Downtown Food Truck Program was launched in 2019 to support Orlando’s growing foodie scene, and make it easier for “foodpreneurs” to start and grow their businesses.
Previously, food truck operators were required to pay the parking meters throughout the duration of their operation. The Community Redevelopment Agency will cover these parking costs temporarily until February 1, 2021 for food truck operators in association with the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Initiative.
Other than the costs associated with required licenses and permits, there is no other costs to participate in the Downtown Food Truck Program during the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Initiative.
Expanding Operational Space and Marketing
In an effort to help expedite a path to economic recovery and to further assist local businesses, the City of Orlando is providing opportunities for businesses to temporarily expand their operational space and market their businesses outside, without the need to obtain city permits or pay any fees.
These opportunities include:
- Allowing businesses to expand retail sales and restaurant seating into outdoor areas such as private parking lots and public rights-of-way
- Authorizing businesses to use small, farmer’s market-style 12’ x 12’ tents to accommodate for sales and seating outdoors
- Granting businesses the ability to use extra banners and signage for marketing
Covering the costs of downtown parking to encourage residents to patronize businesses within our urban core.
All programs will be available to businesses until February 1, 2021.
For resources, and to learn more about the City of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board/Community Redevelopment Agency efforts during this time, click here.