ORLANDO, Fla. — Some Orlando city leaders want to turn downtown into something like Times Square in New York City. The city is looking at a new ordinance that would allow some businesses to install large digital billboards and signs.
They wouldn't be as large as the Amway Center's sign, which is 2,400 square feet. The ones you could see go up downtown could be less than half the size of that.
The city wants people to feel like you're in a big city when you hang out in downtown Orlando. Mayor Buddy Dyer and his staff are pushing an ordinance that would allow moving, flashy, bright electronic billboards, just like New York City's Times Square.
The signs could go up on businesses and buildings in the core of downtown and the Creative Village, if it's ever built.
"We're trying to bring our downtown up to date with some of the other commercial centers in our community, whether it's Millennia Mall or other places like that," Dyer said.
There are some who worry that downtown Orlando will start to look more like Times Square and that could be dangerous for drivers.
"I want to see downtown do well and I want to see downtown be able to advertise itself, but I also want to make sure that whatever we do is safe for the motorists," Orlando Commissioner Phil Diamond said.
There would be some restrictions. Digital signs that have spinning or rotating animations could only operate from dusk until 2:00am. The screens can be as large as 1,600 square feet, as long as they're maintained behind a window. Otherwise, the signs can't be more than 400 square feet.
Mayor Dyer acknowledged the city has to figure out a way to balance what kind of ads would be allowed.
"If they have signage, how much off-site advertising can they do?" Dyer question.
Some commissioners said they have concerns about allowing businesses downtown to advertise for other businesses or events, which would help them make money. There are also concerns the city would force businesses to play by different rules than the Magic, which already has an electronic billboard.
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