Swinging for the fences: Orlando Dreamers step up to bat for MLB Stadium in Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Former Orlando Magic executive Par Williams is taking a time out from basketball and is swinging for the fences with his dream to bring Major League Baseball to City Beautiful.

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The Orlando City Baseball Dreamers have filed an application with the Orange County Tourist Development Tax (TDT) task force to partially fund a new Major League Baseball (MLB) stadium.

On Tuesday, Orlando Dreamers executives will make a major announcement updating its proposed Major League Baseball stadium.

According to a news release, the proposed $1.7 billion project includes the new MLB stadium, which would be owned by Orange County and be home to a Major League Baseball team, office space, retail shops, approximately 1,000 hotel rooms, and restaurants.

The proposed application calls for Orange County to issue a $975 million 30-year municipal bond, with the balance of the project being financed by the MLB team and its affiliates.

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“This project is about far more than baseball,” said Orlando Dreamers co-founder and president Pat Williams. “It’s about creating tens of thousands of well-paying jobs and year-round economic impact to support Orange County residents for generations to come.”

The project is expected to create approximately 20,000 permanent jobs and generate an estimated $1.16 billion in annual economic impact for Orange County.

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“We have an incredible opportunity here to make our community more prosperous,” Williams added. “This project will spur economic growth throughout the county, help revitalize neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for everyone in Orange County.”

The Citizen Advisory Task Force will review the Orlando Dreamers’ application and is expected to provide its recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners in July.

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