Orlando construction project aims to reconnect divided Parramore community

ORLANDO, Fla. — A new Orlando construction project hopes to improve connectivity between the Parramore community.

The project would extend Terry Avenue south to West Gore Street, forming a continuous north to south corridor through the district.

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The result of a joint partnership between the City of Orlando and the Florida Department of Transportation, the completed project would reconnect the historic Parramore Community- previously divided by the State Road 408 interchange- and alleviate congestion throughout the neighborhood.

“Right now it’s cut off,” says Elizabeth Thompson of the Parramore Community Engagement Council. “This will open those businesses up to more customers and more traffic so people won’t have to go out of their way to access these smaller businesses, and hopefully drive revenue as well.”

In a statement, an FDOT spokesperson said, “The I-4 Ultimate project’s vision extends beyond interstate improvement...reconstruction of the interchange allows for the removal of the old ramp system and will open space for the neighborhood to be revitalized.”

Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill says the project has to be “intentional” with specific goals in mind.

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"We’ve found that the residents here in Parramore want to ensure that there’s more multi-family housing, more single-family housing, because of this project,” Commissioner Hill says.

There’s no word on when the project will be completed, but Commissioner Hill says she expects the Parramore community to see increased connectivity by 2023

Cox Media Group