After years of debate and months of construction, Orlando city leaders opened the Tinker Field History Plaza Wednesday.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at 10:30 a.m. on South Tampa Avenue.
The plaza is a place to pay tribute to baseball legends and to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in honor of his one and only stop in Central Florida.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Photos: First look at Tinker Field History Plaza
Crews have been working since February on the plaza next to Camping World Stadium.
Orlando resident Pamela Newton’s husband James Newton is mentioned on the timeline at Tinker Field History Plaza.
James Newton helped with the Jackie Robinson little league in the 1990s.
"I’m overwhelmed. I’m so excited about it. Everything that James went through trying to get all the kids--for him to be noted on this wall, it's so exciting,” Pamela Newton said.
Nearby resident Kyle Dockery said he’s been watching the plaza become a reality.
“It means a lot to the neighborhood as well. It's a big thing," Dockery said.
The History Plaza has a wall of plaques honoring baseball legends, including one for Jackie Robinson.
Some of the stadium seats from the original Tinker Field have been refurbished.
Although several members of the community opposed the 2015 demolition of Tinker Field, city leaders promised to commemorate the site.
Dockery said the plaza gives people another reason to visit his neighborhood.
“It's definitely refreshing. It's definitely a good thing for the community. It's positive images,” Dockery said.
The plaza is also expected to have a statue of King to honor his visit to Orlando in 1962.
Some Tinker Field's seats were sold to help pay for the stadium.
Cox Media Group
