, Fla. — Orlando’s effort to make it easier to redevelop older buildings downtown could come with a cost, with the state warning the city that it risks losing a key historic preservation certification and access to future grant funding.
The warning centers on a three-year moratorium approved by the Orlando City Council in June that temporarily changes the review process for projects in the Downtown Historic District.
The Florida Division of Historical Resources says the ordinance does not comply with requirements for Orlando to remain a Certified Local Government (CLG). The city has 180 days to correct the violations, or it could face decertification.
More than $3 million in historic preservation grants have been awarded for projects in Orlando since 2017, according to Jeff Thompson, chair of the Orlando Historic Preservation Board.
“There’s been a million dollars awarded to Black Bottom House of Prayer, another million dollars to Maxey Crooms, the Plaza Live received $500,000, Greenwood Cemetery received $50,000,” Thompson said.
He said Orlando losing certification could have the greatest impact on smaller organizations that rely on grants to help preserve historic properties.
“They’re small, local groups that don’t have access to those types of funds,” Thompson said. “So those are the types of projects, those are types of organizations that will suffer most.”
Funding for one current city preservation project has already been put on hold amid the dispute.
“The city is currently reviewing the comments and will make any clarifications within the six-month response timeline,” a spokesperson for Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s office said in a statement.
Thompson said city officials had warning before approving the ordinance.
“They knew it,” Thompson said. “They had the information, and they proceeded anyway.”
The mayor’s office says the temporary change is intended to encourage private investment downtown by making it easier to renovate, reuse, and invest in older buildings.
The city says it remains committed to historic preservation and maintaining its status as a Certified Local Government.
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