Orlando starts Phase I of Church St “Festival Street”: what changes first
Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the City of Orlando held a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, July 7 at 10:30 a.m. to kick off Phase I of the Church Street “Festival Street” project. The Phase I work focuses on the corridor from Garland Avenue to the railroad tracks.
Here’s what residents, commuters, and downtown visitors should know about the near-term access changes, construction hours, and planning tips—plus a practical road-closure example from the City’s closure hub.
What the “Festival Street” plan is trying to change
For Phase I, the City says the redesign will reconfigure Church Street into a curbless, flexible-use street with two 11-foot travel lanes and a flush transition between vehicle and pedestrian areas. The design also includes semi-pervious paving, designated loading and unloading areas, and expanded landscaping opportunities—aimed at supporting daily activity and special events like outdoor dining.
Where Phase I starts (and what’s later)
The City’s project page says Phase I focuses on Church Street from Garland Avenue to the railroad tracks. Later phases extend the overall Festival Street vision toward Magnolia Avenue, but the immediate construction impacts described below are for the Phase I segment.
What changes first during Phase I construction
The City outlines impacts that are designed to be predictable for block-by-block work:
- Road closures: construction occurs block by block with full roadway closures from curb to curb, and some intersections may be temporarily closed.
- Sidewalks: sidewalks remain open throughout construction, with only occasional short detours at intersections.
- Construction timing: work is generally Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with occasional night or weekend work.
- Driveways and loading: temporary driveway access restrictions may occur (the City says advance notice and alternative parking options will be provided), and delivery vehicles are expected to use available parking spaces for loading/unloading.
- Trash/recycling: collection continues as scheduled with no changes.
- Mail and emergency access: mail delivery, emergency access, and essential services will not be interrupted.
Timing: expected start, duration, and completion window
On its Church Street Improvements project page, the City lists:
- Anticipated start date: Second Quarter 2026
- Anticipated completion date: First Quarter 2027
- Expected project duration: 8 to 10 months
The same project page also notes that construction is expected to last approximately six months as it progresses block by block.
Route planning: use the City’s road-closure hub (example)
Even when Church Street is the main focus, nearby closures can change how quickly you reach downtown. The City maintains a date-stamped road-closure hub.
For example, the City’s SR 408 Improvement Project closure listing includes a full road closure on Carter Street from Tampa Avenue to US 441/Orange Blossom Trail (including the Rio Grande Avenue intersection between Long Street and Carter Street) running Monday, June 8, 2026 (7 a.m.) through Monday, July 27, 2026 (7 a.m.). The listing also says access from the eastbound SR 408 off-ramp to US 441/Orange Blossom Trail will be maintained.
Need updates for the Church Street work?
The City’s project page provides a downtown construction contact at downtownconstruction@orlando.gov and 407.246.3035.
Sources
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