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Demolition of Orlando Police Department begins at future Orlando Magic Entertainment Complex

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 3: The Orlando Magic drum core is seen during the game against the Miami Heat on March 3, 2017 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 3: The Orlando Magic drum core is seen during the game against the Miami Heat on March 3, 2017 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Construction on the Orlando Magic’s entertainment complex is getting set to begin. Demolition of the old Orlando Police Department headquarters has begun.

Those who have come to the Amway Center for much of last season probably sat and wondered what was going on across the street.

For several months the building that used to house the Orlando Police Department has been ringed with a fence with a banner with several inspiring quotes from Orlando Magic owner Rich DeVos and the Magic logo. The changes going on behind that wall have been slow.

Finally, there is some action on the property that will become the Orlando Magic’s new entertainment complex.

Demolition of the old Orlando Police Department building began last week as the team prepares to begin construction on this massive project.

The Orlando Police Department moved its headquarters to a state-of-the-art new building on Orange Blossom Trail, a few blocks from Camping World Stadium. There was still some delay as they emptied the old building.

It was one of the last major moves that needed to happen before the Magic’s real estate development subsidiary could begin construction on the property.

The Magic are planning on building an entertainment complex featuring dining, shopping and nightlife options for fans attending events at the Amway Center and residents in Downtown Orlando. The new entertainment complex will also feature a hotel and convention space. The Magic are also planning on moving the rest of their offices from the RDV Sportsplex in Maitland to space across the Amway Center in the office sites at the entertainment complex.

The ultimate idea is to build a complex similar to Beale Street in Memphis near the FedExForum or L.A. Live near the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

While the Magic released some renderings of the project when they introduced the idea publicly in 2015, the final construction plans and design have not been finalized yet.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic spokesman Joel Glass told Justin Warmoth of News Channel 6 in Orlando the team is still working on creating a final design. Things are indeed moving forward though on this development project in a tangible way.

The Magic bought the property across the street from the Amway Center. They are preparing to make a nearly $200 million investment to create this entertainment complex. It should definitely change the way fans interact with the Amway Center. It will create another hub of activity in Downtown Orlando.

The Magic will completely own the entertainment complex. They own the property and are coordinating the complex’s development.

The construction of the entertainment complex has not begun yet. But, at long last, things are happening across the street from the Amway Center.

Next: OMD Mailbag: Waiting for the Season

The entertainment complex is starting to take shape.