ORLANDO, Fla. — Taxpayers helped build the new state-of-the-art Amway center. But the new building has come with new higher concession prices. Some people have noticed a 25% increase in the price for items including hot dogs, popcorn, and soft drinks.
But one Orange County commissioner who's about to take office is fighting to get prices lowered.
"I went to the Carver Station and the turkey sandwich was $12.75 and the large drink was $7.50. It's like, what happened here," commissioner-elect Ted Edwards said.
Together those two items now cost $20.25. That is $7.00 more than what they cost together at the old Amway Arena.
Edwards was so outraged by the higher prices that he sent a memo to the county administrator last week, demanding to know why the average person is being priced out of the city-owned venue taxpayers paid for.
"You shouldn't feel like you're being gouged and they're trying to shake every last penny out of you," Edwards said.
WFTV compared prices to what fans paid at the old Amway Arena verses the new Amway Center. A small beer was $3.75. It's now $5.25. A bag of popcorn used to go for $3.00. It now sells for $4.50.
A city spokesperson confirmed the same vendor, Levy Restaurants, is in charge of concessions at the new center. The city says Levy Restaurants sets it own prices.
The city says it's not fair to compare prices at the two venues because there are more concession stands with more food options at the new venue. City Officials say they haven't received any complaints about prices at the new center.
WFTV
