Reported by Stephanie Coueignoux and Janelle Jordan
ORLANDO -- Today marks a milestone in the construction of the Orlando Magic’s future home.
There is still a long way to go before the new Amway Center is complete, but city and county officials helped set the final steel beam in place across the top of the center Thursday morning.
Before the beam was placed, it was by the Magic, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty, the construction crew and even some Magic fans in attendance.
Then, around 9 a.m., it was raised into position, accompanied by a traditional “topping off” evergreen tree, an American flag and an Orlando Magic banner.
Next, crews will begin work on enclosing the roof and exterior of the facility.
Once the building is enclosed, officials hope to start work on the interior after Jan. 1, 2010.
At 875,000 square feet, the Amway Center is more than twice the size of Orlando’s current arena. The new center boasts seven levels, and will include a themed restaurant and lounge, a kids’ fun zone, a public bar and food court and at least one concession stand for every 125 spectators.
The facility will play host to a number of events, including concerts and other major sporting events, and of course, all Orlando Magic home games.
The Amway Center is expected to open just in time for the 2010–11 NBA season, and Thursday’s ceremony was a sign crews are on track to meet that deadline.
The arena’s $380 million price tag has been debated for some time, and there was some concern over where that money would come from, especially during a recession.
The majority of that $380 million has come from a tourist development tax, but officials said the new Amway Center will help them compete for major events, bringing millions in downtown revenue and thousand sof jobs to the region.
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