ORLANDO -- After years of planning, construction and preparation, the doors to the new Amway Center officially opened up to the public Friday.

Mayor Buddy Dyer cut the ribbon outside the main entrance of the Orlando Magic’s new home at exactly one minute after 10 a.m. It was 10:01 a.m. on 10/01.

Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty, Orlando city commissioners, state lawmakers, local leaders and, of course, team mascot Stuff the Magic Dragon all held the blue ribbon that beared the promotion slogan “Enter Legend” for Dyer to cut using a pair of giant scissors, complete with Magic blue handles.

Firecrackers went off behind the Amway Center sign over the main entrance, and the new official home of the Magic, the City Beautiful’s concerts and special events opened its doors to the public.

It has been hard to miss the 875,000-square-foot, $380 million arena while it was under construction just off Interstate 4 on South Street.

Construction on the new facility started with a groundbreaking in July 2008.

Drivers and those who frequent downtown Orlando have been watching the Amway Center go up over the last two years.

Inside, the state-of-the-art facility includes eight levels and can seat up to 20,000 people.

Also inside are a number of retail stores, restaurants, a sky bar and an outdoor plaza.

Less than an hour after it opened, the Amway Center held its first event: Mayor Dyer’s State of Downtown address.

A community open house at the new facility is set for Saturday.

Then, on Thursday, the center hosts its first ticketed event: The Eagles in concert.

The Magic’s first preseason home game at the Amway Center is Sunday, Oct. 10, against the New Orleans Hornets.