Orlando leaders have unveiled a rebranding project for Semoran Boulevard that they hope will revitalize the area.

  • Gateway Orlando spans from Colonial Drive south to near OIA
  • City leaders unveiled the district's 1st banner
  • District project has been in the works for 7 years

The "Gateway Orlando" district runs along Semoran from near the airport north to Colonial Drive for about 8 miles. City leaders on Thursday unveiled the district’s first banner, which is on display heading toward Orlando International Airport.

Since the start of the project, officials said more than 1,200 new jobs have been created and more than 100 businesses have opened.

Key players of the project said it’s a good start, but the area has more potential. They'd like to see more upscale shopping centers and eventually a mass transit system.

Orlando City Mayor Buddy Dyer, Commissioner Tony Ortiz and Gateway Orlando District leaders spoke about the future of the area.

Several business leaders have been pushing for this project since 2010, and Ortiz has been spearheading the effort.

"We have other areas in our city: We have SODO, Mills 50, and this is the main gate. Everything we have coming to our city, we finally got it," Ortiz said.