Deadline passes for Amway Center area improvements

In four weeks, the new Amway Center will open.

Friday was the deadline for substantial completion of the streetscape project surrounding it.

Currently, orange barrels, piles of rubble and a sea of busy construction workers are still working on the $4 million streetscape project surrounding the arena.

"It's chaos right now," one onlooker said.

Palm trees have been planted, but many of the bricks that make up sidewalks surrounding the center are still missing.

Meanwhile, two lanes of Hughey Avenue, the main access road off Interstate 4, are still closed, where crews move heavy machinery in and out of the construction zone.

Project managers from both the city and Gomez Construction told News 13 they were too busy to talk on camera, but both said they were absolutely confident construction would be complete by the grand opening Oct. 1.

They said the biggest area of concern is Bob Snow Plaza. But it looks as if there's much to be done. Most of the finishing touches are merely cosmetic.

The contract allows for round-the-clock work during the four week grace period starting Saturday.

"It's going to come down to the nitty gritty. When we open day one, it's going to be very good because we are working very hard for the city," construction worker Jose Colon said.

The first week of events at the Amway Center include a Magic game, Eagles concert, the Mayor's State of the City Address and free public tour.

Most residents seem confident there won't be any setbacks.

"It ain't going to take them long to put the road in, so ain't got to worry about it," one man said as he passed the new venue.

"No worries," Redford Griffith said. "The 10th of next month they'll be ready for first game."