Orlando to Reopen Orange Avenue to Traffic as Strategy to Enhance Safety and Revitalize Nightlife Commerce

Orlando’s Orange Avenue, a nightlife and entertainment hub, is on the cusp of change. City officials are rolling out a new plan to gradually reopen the street to vehicular traffic in the aftermath of a Halloween mass shooting that left two dead and several injured. The intent behind this move, according to

WESH

, is to disperse crowds and curb the downtown violence associated with large, uncontrolled gatherings by encouraging patrons to focus more on the businesses along the avenue.

Starting today, the city aims to strategically place barricades to coerce pedestrians to stick closer to the sidewalks. This approach marks the first phase in a series of steps to restore traffic flow on Orange Avenue.

WFTV

reported that business leaders have praised the move, anticipating its positive impact on nighttime commerce. Although the complete timeline remains undisclosed, city officials plan to methodically open one traffic lane before allowing all three lanes to be used.

The decision to reopen comes after heightened restrictions, including a state of emergency declaration that saw restricted alcohol sales post-midnight and a weeklong curfew barring presence in the downtown area from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. These restrictions were a response to a chaotic scene where video footage depicted thousands overwhelming Orange Avenue as shots rang out from a 17-year-old gunman amidst an estimated crowd of 50,000 to 100,000 people celebrating Halloween, as detailed by

WESH

.

Business owners on the street where the violence occurred have voiced concerns about restrictions hurting their profits. To address this, the city plans to gradually remove the barricades, once symbols of emergency response, and restore Orange Avenue to its place in Orlando’s nightlife.

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