Pictures: Sentinel’s “History of Downtown Orlando” forum

DISCUSSING DOWNTOWN — Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer answers a question during the “History of Downtown Orlando” forum at the Orlando Economic Partnership headquarters, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Hosted by the Orlando Sentinel, the panel discussion was one in a year-long series to commemorate the newspaper’s 150th anniversary. Participating were Dyer; OEP president & CEO Tim Giuliani; downtown small business owners Alex and Santa LaBellman, and Orlando Sentinel executive editor Roger Simmons. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

DISCUSSING DOWNTOWN — Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer arrives for the “History of Downtown Orlando” forum at the Orlando Economic Partnership headquarters, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Hosted by the Orlando Sentinel, the panel discussion was one in a year-long series to commemorate the newspaper’s 150th anniversary. Participating were Dyer; OEP president & CEO Tim Giuliani; downtown small business owners Alex and Santa LaBellman, and Orlando Sentinel executive editor Roger Simmons. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

DISCUSSING DOWNTOWN — Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer answers a question during the “History of Downtown Orlando” forum at the Orlando Economic Partnership headquarters, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Hosted by the Orlando Sentinel, the panel discussion was one in a year-long series to commemorate the newspaper’s 150th anniversary. Participating were Dyer; OEP president & CEO Tim Giuliani; downtown small business owners Alex and Santa LaBellman, and Orlando Sentinel executive editor Roger Simmons. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

DISCUSSING DOWNTOWN — Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer answers a question during the “History of Downtown Orlando” forum at the Orlando Economic Partnership headquarters, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Hosted by the Orlando Sentinel, the panel discussion was one in a year-long series to commemorate the newspaper’s 150th anniversary. Participating were Dyer; OEP president & CEO Tim Giuliani, 2nd from right; downtown small business owner Alex LaBellman, and Orlando Sentinel executive editor Roger Simmons, far left. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

DISCUSSING DOWNTOWN — Panelists listen to a question during the “History of Downtown Orlando” forum at the Orlando Economic Partnership headquarters, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Hosted by the Orlando Sentinel, the panel discussion was one in a year-long series to commemorate the newspaper’s 150th anniversary. Participating were Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer; OEP president & CEO Tim Giuliani; downtown small business owners Alex and Santa LaBellman, and Orlando Sentinel executive editor Roger Simmons. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

DISCUSSING DOWNTOWN — Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer, left, answers a question with OEP president & CEO Tim Giuliani during the “History of Downtown Orlando” forum at the Orlando Economic Partnership headquarters, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Hosted by the Orlando Sentinel, the panel discussion was one in a year-long series to commemorate the newspaper’s 150th anniversary. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

DISCUSSING DOWNTOWN — Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer, right, greets downtown small business owner Alex LaBellman, during the “History of Downtown Orlando” forum at the Orlando Economic Partnership headquarters, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Hosted by the Orlando Sentinel, the panel discussion was one in a year-long series to commemorate the newspaper’s 150th anniversary. Participating were Dyer; OEP president & CEO Tim Giuliani; Alex and Santa LaBellman and Orlando Sentinel executive editor Roger Simmons. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

DISCUSSING DOWNTOWN — Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer, left, listens as OEP president & CEO Tim Giuliani answers a question during the “History of Downtown Orlando” forum at the Orlando Economic Partnership headquarters, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Hosted by the Orlando Sentinel, the panel discussion was one in a year-long series to commemorate the newspaper’s 150th anniversary. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

DISCUSSING DOWNTOWN — Orlando Sentinel executive editor Roger Simmons introduces Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer and panelists during the “History of Downtown Orlando” forum at the Orlando Economic Partnership headquarters, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Hosted by the Orlando Sentinel, the panel discussion was one in a year-long series to commemorate the newspaper’s 150th anniversary. Also participating were OEP president & CEO Tim Giuliani, second from right and downtown small business owners Alex and Santa LaBellman. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

DISCUSSING DOWNTOWN — Former Executive Director of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board Tom Kohler makes a point during Q & A at the “History of Downtown Orlando” forum at the Orlando Economic Partnership headquarters, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Hosted by the Orlando Sentinel, the panel discussion was one in a year-long series to commemorate the newspaper’s 150th anniversary. Participating were Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer; OEP president & CEO Tim Giuliani; downtown small business owners Alex and Santa LaBellman, and Orlando Sentinel executive editor Roger Simmons. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

DISCUSSING DOWNTOWN — Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer, left, answers a question —with OEP president & CEO Tim Giuliani, center, and downtown small business owner Alex LaBellman— during the “History of Downtown Orlando” forum at the Orlando Economic Partnership headquarters, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Hosted by the Orlando Sentinel, the panel discussion was one in a year-long series to commemorate the newspaper’s 150th anniversary. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

DISCUSSING DOWNTOWN — Orlando Sentinel executive editor Roger Simmons points out landmarks in an 1884 photo with Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer, far left, and panelists during the “History of Downtown Orlando” forum at the Orlando Economic Partnership headquarters, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Hosted by the Orlando Sentinel, the panel discussion was one in a year-long series to commemorate the newspaper’s 150th anniversary. Also participating were OEP president & CEO Tim Giuliani, second from right and downtown small business owners Alex and Santa LaBellman. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

DISCUSSING DOWNTOWN — Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer answers a question during the “History of Downtown Orlando” forum at the Orlando Economic Partnership headquarters, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Hosted by the Orlando Sentinel, the panel discussion was one in a year-long series to commemorate the newspaper’s 150th anniversary. Participating were Dyer; OEP president & CEO Tim Giuliani, second from right; downtown small business owner Alex LaBellman, and Orlando Sentinel executive editor Roger Simmons. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

DISCUSSING DOWNTOWN — Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer answers a question during the “History of Downtown Orlando” forum at the Orlando Economic Partnership headquarters, Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Hosted by the Orlando Sentinel, the panel discussion was one in a year-long series to commemorate the newspaper’s 150th anniversary. Participating were Dyer; OEP president & CEO Tim Giuliani, 2nd from right; downtown small business owner Alex LaBellman, and Orlando Sentinel executive editor Roger Simmons, far left. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)