ORLANDO, Fla. (October 2, 2020) – Universal Parks & Resorts has begun a nationwide search for a developer with the right vision and experience to design, build and manage an affordable housing community on a 20-acre site the company has pledged for exclusive use in helping solve one of the region’s most challenging problems.
Universal’s vision: show strong support for the findings and recommendations of the Orange County Housing for All Task Force and play an active leadership role in creating innovative solutions for affordable housing.
The new community will feature approximately 1,000 high-quality apartments and be located just off International Drive, in an area targeted by the Housing for All Task Force.
In a first-of-its-kind approach for the region, Universal will donate the land to a not-for-profit entity set up for the purpose and work with the developer to ensure the property is used for affordable housing in perpetuity. Universal will manage the developer selection process and will also work to create the development agreement with Orange County. The goal is to break ground in 2022.
Universal has created its own Housing for Tomorrow initiative with key Universal team members and community leaders to oversee the process. The community leaders include Terry Prather, who co-chaired the county’s Housing for All task force and Maria Triscari, President of the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce. Universal members of the committee include Rhonda Rhodes, a vice president of Human Resources who served on the county task force, Russ Dagon, senior vice president of Resort Development and Rob Herrick, a senior planning manager.
The Housing for Tomorrow initiative has just issued a Request for Qualifications, inviting developers who specialize in affordable housing to express interest in developing this community and expects to select a final candidate by the first quarter of 2021. The group will launching a website today about the initiative at: HousingForTomorrow.com.
“I am thrilled that Universal has stepped up to the plate to help solve the affordable housing challenge, an issue that affects us all. This venture is a great example of a public-private partnership,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings. “I am also very proud of the results produced by the Housing for All Task Force. Their plan of action provides a clear blueprint for moving forward.”
“The need for affordable housing in Central Florida is strong and our vision is clear,” said John Sprouls, executive vice president for administration, Universal Parks & Resorts. “We will make land available for affordable housing, we will bring the right partners to the project and we will set a high standard for the new community we create.”
“I’m excited to see Universal commit to helping us find a solution to one of our community’s biggest challenges,” said Terry Prather, who is a member of the Universal committee and served on the Orange County Housing for All Task Force. “We are working together to set a new standard for how our corporate community can help to solve issues as important as housing.”
“Progress requires collective commitment and government cannot do this alone,” said Victoria Siplin, Orange County District 6 commissioner, whose district will include the new community. “Universal has helped us to create a model public-private partnership. And the benefits to our community will be real.”
The criteria to be used to guide selection of a developer includes demonstration of:
Community Resident Focus: a commitment to resident satisfaction
Community Design and Development: a commitment to high-quality, livable, design
Community Operation and Maintenance: a commitment to an affordable community that offers a high quality of life
Development Organization: a commitment to a high-quality team to develop and manage the new community, demonstrated expertise in affordable housing and a track record of success
Development Financing: commitment to a sound financial plan to cover both the development and long-term sustainability of the community
Dozens of affordable housing developers are expected to respond to the RFQ by the submission deadline of November 2, 2020.
Universal Orlando Housing for All Committee Vision Statement
We believe access to affordable housing is a human right. We strongly support the findings and recommendations of Orange County’s Housing for All Task Force. We will play an active, leadership role in helping our community move solutions forward.
We are creating a community where residents will be the priority
We will create a neighborhood that inspires and enables personal growth and is a place where residents are proud to live
We will value and prioritize diversity and inclusiveness – by all and for all
We will create and embrace a new kind of public-private partnership dedicated to innovation on behalf of our residents
We will search out national best practices that will help guide us – and we will create new national standards and best practices when we see opportunity
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Universal CityWalk is Open for Business Starting Today, Wednesday, June 10
Welcome Back!
Universal CityWalk is Open for Business Starting Today, Wednesday, June 10
as the Iconic Destination Begins a Phased Reopening of Its Shops and Dining Venues
Along with New Operational Procedures
Free Self-Parking Offered During This Initial Soft Opening Period
Universal City, California, June 10, 2020 – Starting today, Universal CityWalk begins a thoughtful phased reopening of select venues welcoming guests back to enjoy the iconic destination as it resumes operations with enhanced health and safety measures.
CityWalk is open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Following is a partial list of select venues that are now open; individual venue hours may vary. Additional venues will be added as the phased opening continues and hours of operation are subject to change. Complimentary self-parking is available during this initial reopening period, subject to change.
Please visit the Universal CityWalk website or the Universal Studios Hollywood mobile app for updated information.
- Dining & Eateries: Voodoo Doughnut, Johnny Rockets, Blaze Pizza, Starbucks,
Crepe Café, Pizza Hut & KFC, Taco Bell, and Buca di Beppo.
· Retail: Shoe Palace, Skechers and Guess Accessories
Universal CityWalk is implementing new health and safety measures that focus on Screening, Spacing and Sanitization. A single point of entry now welcomes guests to the destination along with temperature checks and required face coverings. Click here for a video highlight of CityWalk’s new protocol.
While working closely with local health officials and the company’s own health and safety experts, Universal CityWalk will continue to monitor conditions and make adjustments as conditions evolve. Specific health and safety measures include:
- Temperature checks for all Guests upon arrival. If they have a temperature of 100.4° Fahrenheit / 38° Celsius or greater, the Guest will not be permitted to enter.
- Face coverings required for all Guests throughout their visit. Face coverings also will be available for purchase.
- Limited occupancy at all venues to help enforce social distancing.
- Rigorous cleaning and disinfecting at all high touch points, including chairs and tables.
Universal Studios Hollywood remains temporarily closed. Universal Orlando’s theme parks, CityWalk and hotels are now open.
Universal Studios Hollywood Closed Until March 31st
Message from Universal Studios Hollywood:
The health and safety of our team members and guests is always our top priority. Out of an abundance of caution and in response to the guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health, Universal Studios Hollywood will temporarily close from Saturday, March 14 through March 31. We continue to monitor the situation. Universal CityWalk will remain open.
If guests have questions regarding tickets, they can call 866-258-6546.
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