In their September 8 meeting, Winter Park’s Economic Recovery Task Force further refined mitigation strategies designed to help sustain and save existing businesses struggling from the COVID-19 economic fall-out and create an environment where new businesses will thrive.

The Task Force is striving for quick and easy measures to aid local businesses. Even an increase of 10-20 percent in new business would provide much-needed relief. The group will present a framework of mitigation tools for the City Commission’s consideration at their September 23 meeting.

Winter Park’s Planning Division Director Bronce Stephenson and Planner Allison McGillis provided guidance and input at Tuesday’s meeting. Several innovative cost reductions and creative solutions to issues that matter most to retail and restaurant owners were discussed in depth. Guiding principles such as safety, urgency and cost were considered for ideas such as:

• Municipal fee reductions and deferrals
• Increases in available parking
• Broadening seating guidelines for restaurants 

In the September 2 survey conducted by the Winter Park Chamber of local business owners, respondents revealed that as many as three of their neighboring businesses have closed since May. The survey also confirmed that while all sectors of business have been negatively affected, retail and restaurants continue to be hit hardest.

Strategies already implemented by the Chamber of Commerce and City of Winter Park, such as dedicated curbside pick-up zones for retail and restaurants and public activities in Central Park, have increased foot traffic, park presence and consumer enthusiasm. They encouraged the largest presence in months during Labor Day weekend. New activities will be launched this weekend and held regularly:

• Music in the Park: Every Friday and Saturday night in September, beginning this weekend, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Central Park and Shady Park
• Movie Night in the Park: In partnership with the Enzian Theater, movies will be shown every other Thursday, beginning tonight, from 7:30 p.m. (sunset) to 10:30 p.m.o   Tonight – “Three Stooges Meet Hercules,” Central Park
  • Sept. 24 – Movie TBA, Martin Luther King, Jr. Park
  • Oct. 8 – “Frankenstein Meets Wolfman,” Central Park
  • Oct. 22 – Movie TBA, Ward Park, Fields 1 & 2

 
Reserve your 10' x 10' movie pod in advance for small groups of up to 6 people via EventBrite. Click here to learn more.

• Sidewalk Sales: In collaboration with Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and Park Avenue District, second weekend of each month though December, beginning this weekend.