ORLANDO, Fla.,None — Planners for Orlando's proposed Creative Village announced on Thursday that they've hired a contractor for a $2 million demolition of the 23-year-old Amway Arena.
Developers will implode the arena sometime in March, officials said.
"The contractor felt it was the safest, most expedient way to take down the building," said Sean Flanagan of ZMG Construction.
The days of the old Amway Arena are counting down. Whether you know it by the nickname the Jungle, the TD-Waterhouse Centre or the other nickname, O-Rena, the Amway Arena is on its last legs.
"The cheap seats in the old Amway were really good," said resident Josh Kirby.
The city said it will spend $2 million, and the team behind the arena's replacement, the Creative Village, will cover the rest.
Nearly all of the rubble will be recycled.
All of the other materials in the building will be salvaged and recycled as well, including the glass block, the foam from the seats and the plastic.
But a massive storm pipe still lies below the arena.
"We feel the plan that's in place and the engineers we've talked to that it's a plan that will make sure that storm water pipe is protected," said Flanagan.
As for the implosion, there's a possibility Hollywood could get involved just as Warner Bros. did in 1991 when they blew up City Hall for the movie Lethal Weapon 3.
"We have not sought anyone out. The plan was never to seek anyone out, but if someone was interested we'd definitely consider that," Flanagan said.
Many residents said it's the way they would like to say goodbye.
"I'm excited to see it," said Kirby.
WFTV
