Orange County Convention Center
| Orange County Convention Center | |
|---|---|
South Concourse Building
|
|
| Address |
9800 International Drive
9899 International Drive
9400 Universal Boulevard |
| Location | Orlando, Florida |
| Coordinates | 28°25′35″N 81°27′56″W / 28.42639°N 81.46556°WCoordinates: 28°25′35″N 81°27′56″W / 28.42639°N 81.46556°W |
| Owner | Orange County Government |
| Opened | February 27, 1983 |
| Enclosed space | |
| • Total space | 7,000,000 sq ft (650,000 m2) |
| • Exhibit hall floor | 2,100,000 sq ft (200,000 m2) |
| Website | www |
9800 International Drive
9899 International Drive
9400 Universal Boulevard
The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is the primary public convention center for the Central Florida region. The center currently ranks as the second largest convention center in the United States (the biggest is McCormick Place in Chicago). The OCCC offers 7,000,000 sq ft (650,000 m2) of total space, 2,100,000 sq ft (200,000 m2) of which is exhibit space. The large complex is located on the south end of International Drive, a major tourist area in Orlando, Florida. Solar panels on the roof of the South Concourse provide 1 MW of power. On April 18, 2012, the American Institute of Architects's Florida Chapter placed the building on its list of Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places.
Originally the Orange County Convention and Civic Center (OCCCC), it was an idea born out of a 1977 law passed by Florida's State Legislature that permits counties to collect a "Tourist Development Tax" on top of regular sales tax on hotel room stays, with the approval of the county's voters, for state-approved purposes. In April 1978 in a special election, the voters of Orange County approved a 2% Tourist Development Tax (the limit set by the state) for the purpose of building a Convention and Civic Center. That August, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved a location for the OCCCC in Orlando Central Park, on International Drive, and drew up plans for a 325,000 sq ft (30,200 m2) gross area facility. In 1979, Orlando Central Park and the BCC came to a deal whereby the Orlando Central Park would donate land for the initial facility, and give the county an option on 45 acres (18 ha) additional for future expansion. Orlando Central Park agreed to commit adjacent lands for hotel and tourist development, with an incentive of one cent per taxed dollar of the TDT each year for 30 years.
Phase I was completed on February 25, 1983 at a cost of $54 million. The Boston Pops Orchestra played at the Grand Opening on February 26, 1983 and 14,000 people attended the Open House on February 27, 1983.
...
Wikipedia