‘In the midst of a crisis’: Park Avenue businesses ask officials for help recovering from shutdown

WINTER PARK, Fla. — Dozens of Park Avenue business owners joined together to send an email to city officials asking for $500,000 of community redevelopment funds to help their businesses.

The email starts by stating that “Park Avenue is in the midst of a crisis.” The letter was sent just a couple of days after Luma on Park announced it will soon close, becoming the 13th empty storefront along the avenue.

The owners note that other Florida cities “took action early on and have been working with their businesses to help them stay alive and healthy.”

Recommendations in the letter include creating a reimbursement fund for a “shop here, ride the rail for free” promotion." The idea is to promote sales to customers who use SunRail to get to Park Avenue.

Photos: Park Avenue businesses struggle to stay open during pandemic

Orange County has the made CARES Act funding available for business grants.

So far reception from several commissioners has been positive, with many saying they want to get right to some of the ideas.

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VIDEO: Luma on Park Avenue to permanently close due to pandemic struggles