A group hoping to persuade the Legislature to award the Florida Museum of Black History to the historic town of Eatonville has made another move to strengthen its bid, seeking $15 million in tourist-tax revenue for the project.

Presentations to the 10-member Orange County Application Review Committee won’t begin until July but funding requests submitted in April were unveiled Friday to the advisory panel tasked with recommending which groups should get public money for capital projects.

Eatonville’s pitch to the state of Florida already includes 10 acres of land on the old Hungerford School site adjacent to I-4, situated in the nation’s oldest incorporated Black municipality amid the strongest tourism economy in the nation. The $15 million — which would be allocated only if its bid wins — would be a financial sweetener on a level no other contending site is offering.

Requests totaled $126.4 million, Elyse Jardine of the United Arts of Central Florida told the board.

When Orange County commissioners decided last year to amend the tourist-tax spending plan, they agreed to make up to $15 million in uncommitted tourist-tax revenues available through ARC in each of the next five fiscal years, for a five-year total of $75 million.

The 6% tax on hotel rooms and other short-term lodging generated a record $359 million in fiscal year 2022-23.

Other groups seeking more than $10 million for projects vetted by the advisory panel are:

• the Orlando International Film Festival, Inc., which wants $15 million for an auditorium.
• the Orlando Science Center, asking $14 million to enhance its events venue.
• the City of Apopka, seeking $13.1 million to add fields and upgrade the outdoor amphitheater at its Northwest Recreation Facility.
• the Friends of the Mennello Museum of American Art, asking $13 million to expand the museum.
• The 4R Foundation, appealing for $12 million for The 4Roots urban farming campus in Orlando’s Packing District.

Requests processed through ARC cannot exceed $15 million and also must be reviewed by the Tourist Development Council.

Orange County commissioners have the final say. Decisions aren’t expected until October or later.

In past years, the panel has recommended up to $4 million for Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre Auditorium; $10 million for the OnePulse Foundation’s Museum Project; and up to $10 million for the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Orlando Museum.

shudak@orlandosentinel.com