Orlando Business News

[jzquince69]

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/n...lian-plan.html

Italian sport aircraft manufacturer to open a plant at Kissimmee airport.

[jzquince69]

I thought there was an Orlando Attractions thread. Anyway:

Fun Spot I-Drive's expansion is well underway. There is construction in the entire tract of land they are expanding into along Grand National. It will make it maybe 3x the existing size.

[jzquince69]

I think Hertz is either open or close to open in the Plaza.

So, downtown will have Enterprise (50 & Orange), Avis (Rosalind & Robinson), and Hertz (Pine & Orange) car rental locations.

that's good for business.

[jzquince69]

http://www.travelagentcentral.com/us...o-hotels-10453

this is the original article about the Rosen expansions. It looks like the timetable to do all the expansions/renovations is from 2009-1016. So, it looks like they still are on track I guess.

[jzquince69]

I did not realize this, but the 1,300+ rm Rosen Centre hotel has a sky walk connecting it to the West Bldg of the OCCC which opened at the beginning of 2011. It was a public-private partnership.

http://www.orangetvfl.net/orange-cou...cfdd30acd.html

So, that makes 3 major hotels connected to the OCCC complex via sky walk: The Peabody, Orlando Hilton, and Rosen Centre. That's over 4,300 rooms directly connected by sky walks.

That's a great marketing tool for OCCC. It's also a great marketing tool for Rosen Centre. Next up should be a sky walk for the Rosen Plaza after they build a second tower per their past plans. That alone will make it 5,000 rooms connected via sky walk without taking the planned expansion into consideration. Nevertheless, there's 5,000 rooms adjacent to OCCC at present, and about 2,000 of those rooms belong to Rosen.

They also need to get a hotel built on the tract opposite Peabody (formerly a Hyatt proposal) and connect it to the north side of the N/S Bldg via sky walk as well.

[spenser1058]

Deal could bring 600 new jobs to Seminole County

From the Sentinel:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,6589340.story

If this happens along with the new jobs with Verizon, things are going to be hopping in Lake Mary. We seem to be moving forward again!

[spenser1058]

Bill creating regional expressway authority advances

From the Sentinel:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,2662944.story

This is a good example of just how far we've come at working together as a region. 10 years ago, there's no way our local politicos would have even considered giving up turf like this. The bad news, of course, is Teresa Jacobs' insistence on keeping SunRail out of the mix. Transportation in the region needs to be seamless and we can't achieve that with multiple players. Teresa has really proved to be a disappointment when it comes to her reputation of looking outside the developers' box.

[spenser1058]

Winter Park to vote on Ravaudage developer's financing breaks

From the Sentinel:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,1551015.story

I guess this makes sense to jumpstart this rather seedy looking area, but CDD's always scare me given how virtually all the control flows to the developer. I guess we'll see.

[SkyDiveJunkee]

Here is an article suggesting a slightly more somber view of Orlando's economic trajectory: http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/b....html?page=all

I think Alon is spot on. Central Florida grows in spite of itself, not due to a collaborative regional approach to diversify industries and develop brand unity. There are of course the historical implications at play here, the most predominant being the power plays between Orange County and Orlando. At this point, I would be all for dissolving the power of the county and distributing unincorporated land among its cities.

[jzquince69]

Originally Posted by SkyDiveJunkee

Here is an article suggesting a slightly more somber view of Orlando's economic trajectory: http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/b....html?page=all

I think Alon is spot on. Central Florida grows in spite of itself, not due to a collaborative regional approach to diversify industries and develop brand unity. There are of course the historical implications at play here, the most predominant being the power plays between Orange County and Orlando. At this point, I would be all for dissolving the power of the county and distributing unincorporated land among its cities.

Well, Alon keeps mentioning how Scott said no to HSR, but he fails to mention All-Aboard Fla, Sunrail, the Maglev proposal and its status with Metroplan, and the OBX track improvements, ala transportation infrastructure improvement issues and regional cooperation achievements. And this article came out March 20, 2013.

He says Orlando boasts most amenities affiliated with a "medium-sized" city, and lists them. But, he doesn't list a amenities only seen in a world-class city: 1) the OCCC; 2) top brand hotels (in name and size); 3) top brand retail; 4) restaurant/ entertainment venues (in size and number).

Not to mention the groupings of these major industries: warehousing and distribution; hi-tech; medical-biomed; medical; retail; hospitality; convention; tourism-entertainment; production; etc. And...add transportation to the mix now, with OIA and OSI serving the area, the expressway network, the car-rental industry being a world leader, and the next leg being Sunrail then All Aboard Fla after that. As for education, well, nothing here that much more above and beyond anywhere else IMO: UCF, Rollins, Stetson, Full Sail U, FAMU & Barry schools of Law. Arts-wise, we know what's here and the events that are held here annually.

But he's also not acknowledging that there is a lot of foreign investment here from the Brits, South Americans, etc. I mean, is he expecting a symposium to be held in Paris where they sit down and ordain that Orlando is a world-class city?

People know the name "Orlando." they may come here for Disney, but when they stay in a 5-star hotel, like the Ritz, Waldorf, or soon to be Four Seasons, that makes an impression. When they fly into OIA, that makes an impression. If they go to a convention or stay at or near The Peabody, that makes an impression. And if they go to shop at say Millenia, like I saw countless tourists at yesterday, that makes an impression. And they are all great impressions. Not to mention if you catch a Magic game at Amway, like I saw a hoard of Brazilians last month in some promotional event- that makes a HUGE impression.

I don't know what's going on with these regional marketing entities as far as working together is concerned, but as far as this other stuff is concerned, this region has a lot going on.

I've said this before and I'll say it again...every time a new company or brand opens up shop here, other companies and/or brands take notice and put Orlando on their "radar". Whether its an airline, hotel, restaurant, exclusive store, industry, convention, or entertainment venue. It's a cycle that helps a region evolve. And this has continuously been happening here and hasn't stopped.

[SkyDiveJunkee]

I agree, of course, with all of what you've stated. I believe Alon does too though I wont speak for him.

Imagine then, given the growth and Orlando's unique advantages, what could be achieved if the political climate of the region weren't hostile or adversarial.

[spenser1058]

Originally Posted by SkyDiveJunkee

Here is an article suggesting a slightly more somber view of Orlando's economic trajectory: http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/b....html?page=all

I think Alon is spot on. Central Florida grows in spite of itself, not due to a collaborative regional approach to diversify industries and develop brand unity. There are of course the historical implications at play here, the most predominant being the power plays between Orange County and Orlando. At this point, I would be all for dissolving the power of the county and distributing unincorporated land among its cities.

Great points, and I'll post more on this later. For the moment, I seem to recall that Broward County went through a process a few years back (or were about to - I wonder if it happened since I can just imagine the screaming) where all the urban areas in the county would be annexed by an adjoining municipality. If it indeed took place, I wonder if it required legislative action, if it was an option in Broward's charter (I assume they have one) or if it was done by simple vote of the county commission? I kick myself for not looking into it at the time although back then I had no desire for Orlando and OC to merge. I've recently changed my mind given the demographic changes in unincorporated OC making it more progressive.

[spenser1058]

On Space Coast, Signs of Comeback After End of an Era

Since Orlando's "ports" (both sea and space) are next door in Brevard, I thought I'd go ahead and include this here. The New York Times has a great piece today on recovery along the Space Coast after the demise of STS. It seems things are better than expected. It will be interesting to watch the dichotomy between the two halves of the county - Melbourne is going great guns while Titusville continues to lag.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/30/us...agewanted=1&hp

[jzquince69]

Originally Posted by spenser1058

On Space Coast, Signs of Comeback After End of an Era

Since Orlando's "ports" (both sea and space) are next door in Brevard, I thought I'd go ahead and include this here. The New York Times has a great piece today on recovery along the Space Coast after the demise of STS. It seems things are better than expected. It will be interesting to watch the dichotomy between the two halves of the county - Melbourne is going great guns while Titusville continues to lag.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/30/us...agewanted=1&hp

that was a great article. wow.

[jzquince69]

the Verizon building in Heathrow is already u/c. its just south of the Marriott along I-4. Yet another empty lot-parcel getting filled, which is good.

[spenser1058]

Apple looks to hire 7 in Orlando for chip work

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busin...,1771850.story

Oooooh, Apple in O-town. Maybe we'll be cool enough for Richard Florida to stop ignoring us. <eg>

[spenser1058]

We may have to pull teeth to complete a Performing Arts Center, but Orlando's got class! Lookie here what we got:

World Wrestling Entertainment expected to announce new development in Orlando

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,5299019.story

Heck yeah, we got class!

[jzquince69]

Originally Posted by spenser1058

We may have to pull teeth to complete a Performing Arts Center, but Orlando's got class! Lookie here what we got:

World Wrestling Entertainment expected to announce new development in Orlando

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,5299019.story

Heck yeah, we got class!

Oh, come on. This is great news. TNA Impact was filming at Universal for years until very recently. They are filming with Full Sail for the past year also. It can only lead to good things.

[spenser1058]

Originally Posted by jzquince69

Oh, come on. This is great news. TNA Impact was filming at Universal for years until very recently. They are filming with Full Sail for the past year also. It can only lead to good things.

OK, I'll put it under the heading there's no such thing as bad publicity. Hey, it's right up there with Rev. Benny Hinn remarrying his ex-wife at Holy Land Experience.

Someone once observed that Hollywood didn't make LA, the defense industry did. Hollywood just made LA interesting. So, heaven knows, this at least falls in the interesting category.

[jzquince69]

Originally Posted by spenser1058

OK, I'll put it under the heading there's no such thing as bad publicity. Hey, it's right up there with Rev. Benny Hinn remarrying his ex-wife at Holy Land Experience.

Someone once observed that Hollywood didn't make LA, the defense industry did. Hollywood just made LA interesting. So, heaven knows, this at least falls in the interesting category.

I look at it as TV and/or potential TV exposure in different areas which could/would attract other broadcasts.