Orlando was once the largest producer of pineapple in the United States.
Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company at 1300 Alden Road in the Ivanhoe Village district is getting a new mural that will be visible to Orange Avenue. It will pay tribute George I. Russell's effect on the history of the area directly surrounding the brewery.
According to Steve Herring of OrlandoRetro.com., Orlando was the epicenter the United States' pineapple business thanks to George I. Russell's fields surrounding Lake Ivanhoe. After Russell's pineapple business died, Russell opened a water park eventually called Joyland.
The mural features a hand holding a pineapple as well as a waterslide dipping into the water with the word "Joyland" hovering above.
The City of Orlando Small Business Façade, Site Improvement and Adaptive Reuse Program ( FSARP) will give assistance to pay for the mural, along with new landscaping and irrigation, and parking lot striping. The total cost is $22,858. The Small Business Facade Review Committee recommended approval of funding in the amount of $18,286.40 August 7, 2018.
According to the application, this business will have annual sales of $1.5 million per year. It's owned by Glenn Closson. The property is owned by Virginia 408 LLC and Crossman and Company.
The FSARP is an interest free deferred loan for façade, site, life safety and mechanical, electrical and plumbing improvements, related to changes of use, available to new and existing commercial property and business owners in the City of Orlando. The program, which was approved by the City Council on November 13, 2006, provides assistance with costs related to exterior physical and site improvements as well as life safety and mechanical, electrical and/or plumbing improvements related to changes of use.
The FSARP offers matching loan funds to off-set the costs of design and façade/ site improvement expenses such as painting, wall repair or cleaning; window repair or replacement; awnings; new or replacement signage; lighting; door repair or replacement; parking lot upgrades; fencing; and life safety and mechanical, electrical and/or plumbing improvements, related to changes of use, such as fire walls, sprinklers and alarms. Under the program, the City will loan 50% to 80% of the total project cost. Total loan assistance from the City shall not exceed $20,000 for façade and site improvements, $40,000 for mechanical, electrical or plumbing improvements only for changes of use or $50,000 for a combination of façade, site and life safety/and or MEP improvements related to changes of use.