ORLANDO, Fla. — Confusion and frustration — that’s what some downtown Orlando business owners say their employees and patrons experienced over the weekend after the city began implementing additional street closures. 

They said the closures made it difficult for some people to get to certain venues, or to parking garages nearby.

What You Need To Know

  • On May 10, Orlando started implementing limited access to city parking garages after 11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights

  • A city spokesperson said the measures are part of ongoing efforts to manage crowds and ensure safety in the downtown area

  • The measures include closing down several downtown streets that allow access to parking garages

  • The spokesperson said residents will still be able to access the garages for their buildings

Sarai Harden says at Tin & Taco, staying busy is a good thing, but the closures are putting a damper on that.

“It’s a good thing when we’re busy, it means more money for us," Harden said. "We definitely don’t like it when it’s slow."

According to information from the city, on May 10, Orlando started implementing limited access to city parking garages after 11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights as part of an ongoing effort to manage crowds and ensure safety in the downtown area.

Harden was worried about how the change might affect sales.

“It’s definitely going to hurt our business if they continue to do that,” Harden said.

Eric Fuller, who co-owns the downtown music and even venue Celine Orlando, said the closures caused traffic to back up throughout downtown when people couldn’t get into parking garages.

“There were delays of 30 minutes, 45 minutes to an hour," said Fuller. "I don’t think this is necessarily the right approach."

Fuller said he got no advanced notice from the city about the planned street closures, which made it difficult for a performer to get to Celine Orlando Saturday night.  He said the closures, along with the after-midnight alcohol sales permit the city began requiring businesses to have last year, are making it harder to do business.

“It takes communication — they’re not experts at nightlife, we are," he said. "We’re not experts in policing, they are. So I think that’s when you get the best results, when you communicate with one another.”

At Tin & Taco, Harden said she was working the night two Orlando Police officers were shot in downtown Orlando in August 2023, and believes safety is important. 

“The reason’s valid — safety is definitely a big concern around here, especially at nighttime for sure," she said. "But maybe they could do something differently, that way we could still have the crowds keep coming in."

According to the city, people living in a building adjacent to one of the city garages will be permitted access to the garage if they show proof of residency. 

Officials said there isn't a set closure map or list of affected roadways or garages, because those things are determined each night by Orlando Police as part of their safety plan.