Disney’s new governing Reedy Creek district board suggests dissolving Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista

Welcome to Orlando Business Journal's weekly LinkedIn newsletter. I'm Digital Producer/Senior Staff Writer Richard Bilbao, rounding up Orlando business news to keep you in the know when time is short.

The first meeting of the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board, formerly called Disney's Reedy Creek Improvement District, dove right into some of the disconnects from the previous leadership and an introduction for its new members — as well as some possible changes that will be discussed in the future.

For example, new board member?Brian Aungst Jr.?alluded to potentially asking the Legislature to dissolve the cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista altogether. “Whether or not those two cities are legally necessary is an important question,” he said.

For now, Aungst said he wants the district to oversee all of those cities’ law enforcement contracts or ensure the cities cannot supersede the district’s building codes or land-planning powers.

In addition, new board member Bridget Ziegler said she’d like to see Covid-related restrictions such as masks and vaccines made similar to statewide law. (Florida law already prohibits requiring masks or Covid vaccines.) Specifics were not disclosed at the meeting, but Ziegler said it will be done in a manner to meet all sides without overreaching. “Finding the proper balance … I am cognizant of that. I believe the role of government is to be limited. I believe that also no corporation should have benefits over private citizens."

Read more on the story here.

And now onto other big business deals, transactions and activity headlines from the week.

? ? ?

Sign up for Orlando Business Journal's emails?to get the latest business news for the metro Orlando area in your inbox twice a day. Already signed up and loving the work we do??Consider subscribing for less than $3 a week.

? ? ?

Real estate news of the week

• Orlando's tallest building will get a new look. Here's what's changing and why: Work is underway to give 200 South Orange — downtown Orlando's 30-story, 441-foot-tall skyscraper that long was known as the SunTrust Center — a makeover of sorts to two of its most distinctive features.
• Disney's Lake Nona campus ramps up approval process. Here's what's next: What is arguably Orlando's most anticipated development is set to take an important step forward.

• How this construction newcomer is using robotics to change the game for Robins & Morton in Orlando: For?Christina Till, her upstart career in construction began with a passion for robotics. Surprised? So was she.
• Sales price, buyer identity revealed for Orlando's Rio Pinar Golf & Country Club: The popular east side golf course at 8600 El Prado Ave. sold in two separate transactions Feb. 21.

? ? ?

Orlando news bites

You don't want to miss these top stories:

• Brightline hits 130 mph testing milestone prior to Orlando-to-West Palm Beach service: The intercity rail service may begin here by the end of June.
• AdventHealth plans new Lake Nona hospital campus: The nonprofit health system has a freestanding ER near the site.
• HostDime gives peek inside $45M data center and HQ: The construction of the 100,000-square-foot Eatonville facility was delayed five years before it finally broke ground in 2021.

? ? ?

Restaurant news & notes

We're always hungry for new places to eat. Check these out:

• Hollerbach's German Restaurant CEO opens new cannabis-themed eatery in Sanford concert venue/bar: This is the first non-German themed concept being added to her family's business portfolio.
• Celebrity Chef Norman Van Aken dishes on his return to Orlando: Rather than retiring after 50 years of cooking, the 72-year-old is busy with his newest restaurant, dubbed Norman’s.
• Portillo’s to open more Orlando restaurants in 2023: The Illinois-based Chicago-style hot dog chain, which has a cult following, plans to open new Central Florida locations.

(Personal note from Richard: My 8-year-old daughter gave me a science lesson about bats the last time we were in downtown Sanford. Bats fly around in that area and it's a cool sight to behold.)

? ? ?

Nominations & Events

Things to put on your busy calendar:

• Nominate now for the 2023 Fire Awards.?Deadline: March 16
• Register now for the 2023 Future of Cities virtual event,?to be held March 20
• Join us at the 2023 Women Who Mean Business event,?to be held March 30

? ? ?

Finally ... make your voice heard!

These?OBJ?polls are live. Let us know what you're thinking.

• When was the last time you took a weeklong vacation?
• Vote now: Inno Madness Round 2
• How do you feel about Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf hosting an Orlando area event?

? ? ?

That's all for this week's top headlines, and thanks for supporting?OBJ.

This weekly round-up of Orlando business news was compiled by Richard Bilbao, digital producer/senior staff writer. Questions? Comments? Concerns? News tips? Send them to [email protected].