The Orlando Magic began play in their new state of the art arena this week. They played a Preseason game against the Hornets, then a regular season opener against the Wizards. But it was kind of a long road.
The stadium plan included building a new arena, updating the Citrus Bowl, AND remodling the performing arts center. On September 29, 2006, after years of on-and-off negotiations, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Magic announced an agreement on Amway Center, a new arena in downtown Orlando. The arena received its final approval on July 26, 2007. The new 18,500-seat arena will be located at the southwest corner of Church Street and Hughey Avenue, with construction starting in early 2008 and is estimated to cost around $480 million.
I say off and on because the project fell into debt, which is never good. But ultimately they got it fixed. On May 4, 2010, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that Orlando would host the 2012 All-Star Weekend in the new Amway Center
I've driven past the arena a few times, and that was when they were constructing it. The pictures of it do look pretty cool though
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