By Richard Bilbao The future Orlando-to-Tampa path of the multibillion-dollar Brightline intercity rail system still is being determined, and business leaders are working feverishly to figure out how International Drive can be connected to it. Stakeholders such as the I-Drive business chamber of commerce and Universal Orlando Resort have been meeting or plan to meet with…
By Ryan Lynch From landscaping services to labor for the Orange County Convention Center, Orange County government has a number of contracts up for renewal or bid this year. As of April 1, the county has more than 634 contracts that will end during 2021. The contracts include everything from recurring services and maintenance to…
By Ryan Lynch From professional fireworks displays to engineering services, a number of city contracts are up for renewal or bid this year. As of March 9, the city has roughly 418 contracts set to expire by the end of 2021. The contracts include everything from recurring services and maintenance to consulting and other needs.…
By Jack Witthaus One of the most active Orlando industrial real estate developers is gearing up for another project. McCraney Property Co. plans to build a 480,560-square-foot speculative industrial project on roughly 40 vacant acres south of East Fullers Cross Road in Ocoee. The development is called Progress Commerce Park and will feature six Class…
By Richard Bilbao and Ryan Lynch A long dormant pedestrian bridge project slated for Orlando’s popular tourist corridor appears to be back on track. For years, major stakeholders on International Drive have discussed the possibility of an iconic pedestrian bridge — estimated at $15 million or more — that would connect the four corners of…
By Richard Bilbao Angel de la Portilla knows 2021 will hold additional challenges for many businesses — especially property owners. This year, annual commercial property bills come due at a time when business owners and the overall economy are struggling due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. That’s why de la Portilla, 53, a well-known government…
In 1986, Orange County voters elected to adopt the charter form of government. As a result, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), conducts a new charter review by a commission appointed by the BCC every four years. West Orange Chamber of Commerce member Angel de la Portilla, President of Central Florida Strategies, has been appointed to the Charter Review…
By: Jack Witthaus Construction may start in early 2022 on a project to transform a former landfill into a mixed-use development. That’s according to Angel de la Portilla, founder of Orlando-based government consulting firm Central Florida Strategies Inc., who is working with Orlando-based MMI Development to secure approvals to build 1,500 apartment units and up to…
By STEPHEN HUDAK Four weeks after Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings ordered all 1.3 million Orange County residents to stay home, he’s beginning the delicate task of determining how and when to lift that order so the gears of the region’s tourism-driven economy can start turning again in the wake of the coronavirus. Demings is…
By: Richard Bilbao There are many who say success in business isn’t only about what you know, but also about who you know — and there aren’t many people Orlando businessman Angel de la Portilla doesn’t know. De la Portilla, 51, is the founder of Orlando-based government consulting firm, Central Florida Strategies, and has represented multiple high-profile…