Orlando’s long-awaited plan to transform the downtown space beneath Interstate 4 into a bustling public destination is taking another major step forward. The Orlando City Commission is set to vote Monday on a $1.1 million contract to hire a firm to oversee construction of The Canopy — a one-of-a-kind outdoor gathering space planned for the heart of downtown.
From ‘Under-I’ to The Canopy
The Canopy has been more than a decade in the making. City leaders began to reimagine downtown as far back as 2014, and the idea has evolved significantly since then.
What started as a concept called the “Bridge District” later became the “Under-I Project” before taking its current form as The Canopy. The project calls for transforming the stretch beneath the elevated I-4 bridge beams — between West Church Street to the south and West Washington Street to the north — into a vibrant, immersive outdoor destination.
The vision includes a festival street and gathering space, a projection wall, artistic trees and sculptural elements, enhanced lighting, public restrooms, a bike path, streetscape improvements, a rideshare zone and parking. City officials say the goal is to turn what has long been an underutilized stretch of highway infrastructure into a thriving hub that draws residents and visitors alike.
In 2024, the city released new renderings of the project. The city council later approved a $30 million cap on construction costs and awarded a contract to The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company to bring the vision to life. The Canopy is expected to open in 2027.
What local businesses are saying
For business owners along Church Street, the project can’t come soon enough.
Yehya Rizeq, owner of Crepe Delicious, has been waiting years for The Canopy to become a reality — and has even extended his lease in anticipation of the foot traffic it could bring.
[WATCH: Church Street business anticipates boost from ‘The Canopy’]
“I believe it will be double and double what I’m doing now,” Rizeq told News 6.
But his patience has limits. Rizeq said the project must be completed on time or he will walk away.
“So, I have now a five-year lease but with an option. An option because if ‘The Canopy’ is not finished in two years, then I’ll just cancel my lease,” he said. “It all depends on ‘The Canopy.’ So, if in two years, ‘The Canopy’ is not finished, I’ll cancel my lease. I cannot sustain my business here.”
Rizeq also said he wants regular updates from the city and financial support for Church Street businesses if the project faces further delays.
Others who work and spend time downtown share his enthusiasm.
“Oh, yeah. Honestly, a bigger, more family-oriented type of thing [would be nice],” said Quentin Clark, who passes through the area regularly.
What’s on the agenda Monday
To move construction forward, the city must hire a firm to handle Construction, Engineering and Inspection — known as CEI — services. Because part of the project sits within Florida Department of Transportation right-of-way, state rules require an independent firm to monitor and inspect the work as it progresses.
The city issued a formal Request for Qualifications in late June 2026, inviting firms to compete for the work. Two companies were shortlisted: Mehta and Associates, Inc. and Mead & Hunt, Inc.
A five-member advisory committee — made up of city Public Works and Economic Development staff — met Aug. 19 to hear presentations and independently score both firms. After a competitive evaluation, Mehta and Associates came out on top. The city issued its Notice of Intended Action on Aug. 21, formally signaling its intent to move forward with the firm.
If the commission approves the contract Monday, the city will enter into a formal agreement with Mehta and Associates in an amount not to exceed $1.1 million, drawn from the project’s previously approved budget. The Chief Procurement Officer would be authorized to execute the agreement, subject to review and approval by the City Attorney’s Office.
Part of a bigger downtown transformation
The Canopy is just one piece of a broader effort to reshape downtown Orlando. The project is anchored in the Downtown Orlando Community Redevelopment Area Plan, which prioritizes activating vacant and underutilized areas. A 2023 amendment to that plan formalized the strategy to fund and support what has now become The Canopy.
District 5 Commissioner Shan Rose, who has been involved in downtown planning efforts for years, captured the sentiment many city leaders share about the momentum building across downtown.
“So, we’ve been talking about this for a really long time. We started in 2014 imagining downtown and where we’re going. What we’re going to do to get to this moment is really rewarding,” Rose said.
“This is our moment to show like, we have an opportunity to start moving things forward and building a better downtown Orlando, and that’s what we’re doing.”
Monday’s vote is another signal that the city is serious about making that vision a reality — and that businesses like Crepe Delicious are counting on it.