Construction is resuming on Universal Orlando Resort’s massive "Epic Universe" theme park in Orange County, Florida, which stopped in July 2020 owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
Universal said the restart will begin immediately, but that it would take several months to get the project back up to full speed as the company restaffs for the project and reassembles its vendor and contractor teams after eight months.Â
Hundreds of jobs within Universal and thousands of jobs across Central Florida will be created by the restart, including highly-skilled professional positions and all levels of construction jobs, the company said.
"The restart of construction of Epic Universe is a terrific moment for our employees and for our theme park business in Florida," said Brian L. Roberts, chairman and chief executive of Universal’s parent company, Comcast Corporation.
"It is our single largest investment in the state and represents our enthusiasm for the spectacular park and the economic opportunities it will generate."
Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings said: "The resumption of the Epic Universe project couldn’t come at a better time. Our community has so many talented workers who will benefit from this massive project. I am confident it will deliver a huge economic boost to Orange County."
Epic Universe will feature a new theme park, an entertainment centre, hotels, shops, restaurants and more. It will be located on a 750-acre site that nearly doubles Universal’s total available acreage in Central Florida.
It will be located a few miles from Universal Orlando’s current theme parks in Southwest Orange County (specifically, south of Sand Lake Road and east of Universal Boulevard).
Image: Universal Orlando Resort’s impression of its "Epic Universe" theme Park (Universal Orlando Resort)
