Each week the Economic Recovery Task Force gathers to tackle the urgencies Winter Park is facing. Composed of voices from all primary business sectors, both for-profit and non-profit, this citizen-led group is tasked with investigating and recommending to the City Commission every pragmatic route possible to boost the economic and emotional recovery of our community.

Understanding that health and safety measures are the key elements of fostering renewed customer confidence, the Economic Recovery Task Force is launching Mask Up Winter Park, part of a branded, multifaceted campaign to promote responsible health practices city-wide.

They also recognize value in offering events that stimulate immediate, tangible results for local businesses. Several series of public events recently debuted – Music in the Park, Movies in the Park and weekend Sidewalk Sales – all designed to boost business and community-wide morale. West Meadow Wednesdays, themed gatherings designed to draw families to Central Park’s West Meadow each week, will kick-off October 7. They will encourage shopping and dining at the many remarkable restaurants and shops in the Park Avenue and Hannibal Square shopping districts.

These efforts are elements of a branded, city-wide campaign to primarily bring foot traffic to restaurants and retail merchants in Winter Park’s downtown business districts. Street side banners will soon be displayed urging us all to Mask Up, and a direct mail piece will be distributed community-wide featuring these public events scheduled through November.

An examination of city policies to aid business owners promises less immediate but equally significant relief. The Task Force is reviewing economic mitigation strategies that have succeeded in other Florida cities, looking for a variety of support measures that might be well-suited for Winter Park. City fee reductions, deferrals or waivers are among them. The Task Force is examining methods to temporarily increase restaurant seating by adding outdoor space and increase available parking through shared and leasing partnerships.