Orlando Development News

[jmancuso]

continued from closed thread.

[jzquince69]

OC approved an increase in the tourist/bed tax to fund the PAC, a new O-rena, and improvements at the Citrus Bowl.

The new PAC will have 3 halls, and be east of City Hall on the 2-block area where Orange, South St., Anderson, and Rosalind border. It will have a couple of office and mixed use towers incorporated into the project. There is also a church at the eastern end of the property.

O-rena-- DeVos purportedly is going to contribute mega $$$ towards the new Magic forum. It will either be near its orig. location or move to the OCCC area.

[Jasonhouse]

^Hopefully, the arena will stay in the DT area, which si where it shoudl be... Putting it near the damn tourists traps around I-Drive/OCCC would be a travesty imho.

[jzquince69]

Originally Posted by Jasonhouse

^Hopefully, the arena will stay in the DT area, which si where it shoudl be... Putting it near the damn tourists traps around I-Drive/OCCC would be a travesty imho.

I agree. I think they should design a new arena downtown incorporating into the overall plan convention space and a host hotel. They can't build it near the PAC b/c of land issues, so they need to make it a destination in and of itself for things other than NBA and ARENA football.

[Dave01walk]

There's a few pics of Orlando's skyline on the online version of the paper today. Gives kind of a before and after of the skyline. Pretty neat...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...-promo&index=1

[jzquince69]

Here's some updates of non-DT projects currently U/C near the attractions area:

1. LBV Resort & Spa--- Bldg#3---- 15 story condo; its on the 11th floor right now;

2. Floridays Resort--- all 6 bldgs. look finished- exterior.

3. Blue Heron#2--- they are already on floor 3-4. this will be like 23 stories;

4. Regency--- next to Dixie Stampede-- they've got it seems the foundation footprint in place with concrete blocks. this is supposed to be 12-14 stories.

5. Westin Imagine (OCCC)-- almost all the first floor pylons or supports are in place for this first tower. 14+ stories.

6. Vista Cay (OCCC)-- still building new bldgs; condos. I think they are going to leave the retail center for last.

7. Shingle Creek (OCCC)-- looks done. 14+ story, 1,500 rooms, 2 golf courses, Rosen School of Hospitality (UCF), and 250k sq. ft. CC.

8. Reunion Grande (Reunion Resort)-- 14+ story condo; topped off

9. Sheraton Vistana (near Floridays)--- still building new bldgs. straddling I-drive to the south of the entrance.

10. Aquatica (Sea World's new park)-- property fenced off along I-Drive west of SW.

11. Hilton Vacation Club (Orl. Prem. Outlets)-- tower#6 U/C

12. Point Orlando-- renovation in full swing. Capital Grille open now.

13. The Point condos (Carrier & Universal)-- sitework for 4-tower project;

14. Citymark--- Delta Resort is completely demolished to make way for EB Developers grand project.

15. Martin Lockheed-- new 6 story office bldg. topped off next to 1960's orig. bldg. at Kirkman & Sand Lake Rd.

16. Duke Realty Bldg.-- (at Millenia); 4 story office bldg.topped off.

17. Belle Terre Office condo-- (at Millenia); 3-4 story office bldg. w/ parking deck topped off.


Recently completed near the attractions area:

1. LBV Resort & Spa--- Bldg#1; 8 story condo w/ retail
2. LBV Resort & Spa--- Bldg#2; 8 story condo
3. Blue Heron#1--- 17 story condo
4. Hilton Vacation Club (Orl. Prem. Outlets)-- tower#5

[jzquince69]

Here's a list of non-DT projects currently U/C in the metro:

1. Emerson Plaza #1--- (Alta.) 12-14 story condo on Crane's Roost; exterior work complete;

2. Emerson Plaza #2--- (Alta.) foundation work;

3. THe Majesty (Alta.) 18 story office; will be U/C until the Second Coming;

4. Park Towers 1 & 2 (Alta.); 15 and 17 story condos at T.C.; sitework;

5. City Apts.? (Alta.); 8+ story urban Apt. Bldg. at T.C.; exterior complete;

6. Wellesley (College Park); 8 story mixed use; U/C; topped off;

7. Veranda Park (Metrowest); 8+ story mixed use; U/C;

8. FH East-- new 5+story addition; topped off;

9. FH Altamonte (Alta.)-- new tower U/C;

10. Baldwin Harbor (Baldwin Park)-- new twin 8 story luxury condos; sitework;

11. Viscaya condos (off Sand Lake & Dr. Phillips)-- tower 2, 9+ story, U/C

12. The Langford (WP)-- 4-5 story condo; topped off

13. Douglas Grand (WP)-- 5 story condo; U/C

14. Las Casas (WP)-- 2-3 story condo/TH; sitework

15. *Morse & Park (WP)-- 4-5 story condo; U/C

16. *New England & Penn. (WP)-- New England retail corridor is seeing the influx of dozens of 3 story retail/mixed use bldgs. every lot up to NY Ave. should fill in completely by 2007.

17. Hughes Supply (Old Winter Garden & 408)-- new indus. bldg. , 3-story; topped off; 150-200k sq. ft.

18. Waterford Lakes T.C.--5+ multi-story retail bldgs. U/C on west side of Alafaya; major expansion. was Fla's largest open air retail center when built in 1999.

...

[I-275westcoastfl]

Originally Posted by Dave01walk

There's a few pics of Orlando's skyline on the online version of the paper today. Gives kind of a before and after of the skyline. Pretty neat...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...-promo&index=1

The 3rd pic is a good dowtown pic and its funny comparing I-4 in the past with the present before it had 3 cars now its backed up.

[jzquince69]

Here's a list of DT projects currently U/C:

1. PTP North Tower-- 16 story office/retail/cinema; topped off

2. PTP South Tower-- 21 story office/retail/cinema; topped off

3. Solaire---30 story condo; topped off

4. Vue---35 story condo/retail; on 20th or so floor

5. Star Tower-- 18 story condo/retail; on 12th floor

6. Paramount-- 16 story condo/retail/grocery; foundation

7. 801 N. Orange-- 8 story office/retail; exterior work

8. 55W-- 32 story condo/retail; U/C; foundation level 1

9. Dynetech-- 30 story office/retail/residential; foundation

10. Lexington-- 4 star condotel conversion of 17 story Holiday Inn; 80% complete

11. Fed. Courthouse-- 6 story new tower; exterior

12. Washington Street Garage-- parking/retail; level 1

13. FH South-- 15 story tower U/C; foundation

14. Cambden Court-- SW Orange & Colonial; retail/residential; sitework

15. 101 Eola-- reidential/retail; 12 story;

Recently completed DT projects since 2005:

1. The Jackson-- condo; 8 story
2. CNL 2-- 12 story office
3. Sanctuary-- 18-20 story condo/retail
4. FAMU School of Law--- 4 story
5. Cornerstone-- 3-4 story office condo/retail conversion
6. UCF Film School--- Expo Centre conversion
7. Eola South-- 4 story condo
8. Metropolitan-- 4 story condo conversion of Sheraton 4 points
9. Winnie Palmer @ ORMC-- 14? story addition
10. Osceola Brownstones--

[Dale]

Also, the 12 story 101 Eola was scheduled to have broken ground today.

[smiley]

So I was coming back from not seeing the shuttle go on Saturday and, after dealing with a bunch of traffic, decided to take the east-west to downtown. That cluster on the south end of downtown is really coming along nicely. IT is a good urban core to which eventually to connect the other smaller clusters. IT really looks nice.

On the other hand, what is up with the ramp from the east-west to I-4? I thought I was going to pop out in Lakeland before I got to the end of that thing . . .

[SkyDiveJunkee]

Yes, most idiotic ramp ever. Its part of the redesigned interchange so in a few years it will be history.

[jzquince69]

Originally Posted by smiley

So I was coming back from not seeing the shuttle go on Saturday and, after dealing with a bunch of traffic, decided to take the east-west to downtown. That cluster on the south end of downtown is really coming along nicely. IT is a good urban core to which eventually to connect the other smaller clusters. IT really looks nice.

On the other hand, what is up with the ramp from the east-west to I-4? I thought I was going to pop out in Lakeland before I got to the end of that thing . . .

its pretty backwards-ass when you think about it. FDOT must really hate us for waiting this long to have that thing overhauled. 3 more years....

[jzquince69]

Originally Posted by Dale

Also, the 12 story 101 Eola was scheduled to have broken ground today.

you know, I know they were doing demolition on the lot and all. I wasn't sure about the "official groundbreaking" though. if you go to their website, it is impressive how this will build up the sidewalk level with cafe's and retail. this thing is a going to have a huge effect to the area.

[jzquince69]

care of Sunshine at UP:

Orlando Commuter Rail proposal:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...home-headlines

[TampaMike]

Originally Posted by jzquince69

care of Sunshine at UP:

Orlando Commuter Rail proposal:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...home-headlines

Says the Page isn't Found.

But I guess it will be an awesome project. I'm guessing part of it goes to Disney? Hopefully if this see light Tampa will follow in Orlando footsteps

[smiley]

Here's a little assistance - I hope they get moving because that will force Tampa/Pinellas to do something:

CHANGING HOW WE LIVE
On track for commuter rail
Town centers with shops, offices and homes could sprout near stations


Jay Hamburg and Etan Horowitz | Sentinel Staff Writers
Posted July 17, 2006
GRAPHICS

Map: Central Florida rail-transit system

Graphic: Charlotte a model for Orlando
PHOTOS

Train (ROBERTO GONZALEZ, ORLANDO SENTINEL)
Jul 12, 2006
STORY GALLERY



How would you like to walk a few minutes to a train station and zip to work in an air-conditioned rail car -- and then return the same way? Once back in the neighborhood, you could walk to grocery stores, restaurants and businesses to run errands.

Sound too good to be true?

It could happen in Central Florida, where plans for a 61-mile commuter-rail system are moving toward reality. If transportation officials can cement a deal to have cities along the route help pay for the system and CSX Railroad agrees to sell the tracks to the state, then the region's first attempt at speedy mass transit could affect the way we grow.

The project, which could cost as much as $500 million, could come together this summer.

If planners take the right steps -- and so far they are off to a slow start -- the rail system could help spur self-contained, walkable neighborhoods around stations from DeBary to Orlando to Poinciana. Replete with grocery stores, drugstores, parks and restaurants, they'd be the kind of small communities that grew up around town squares in the era before interstate highways.

In turn, the new approach to development could help reduce sprawl by anchoring more growth in a central transportation corridor running through the region.

So-called smart growth that is focused around mass transit -- transit-oriented development, in planner lingo -- has happened in other communities around the nation.

Portland, Ore.; Los Angeles; Salt Lake City; and Charlotte, N.C., already have, or are planning to build, neighborhoods mixed with offices and shops around transit stations that link to their downtowns.

"It's the quality of city life without the responsibility of suburban life," said Bruce Stephenson, a Rollins College professor of environmental studies who specializes in growth issues.

Developers love the idea of building more condos and town houses per acre near offices and retail shops. And from a planning standpoint, it makes sense to consolidate growth and get commuters off jammed roads and onto rail cars.

But as rail plans move forward in Central Florida -- the first line would open in 2009 -- plans for transit-oriented development are off to a slow start. In a few places, communities have zoned their land to allow that type of growth, and in some select areas, developers have expressed interest in transit-friendly projects. Maitland's City Council recently voted to ask for a stop along the line.

But for the most part, Central Florida has adopted a wait-and-see attitude in part because the region has a history of several failed rail proposals. Some also think little action may be required because they'd prefer that market forces dictate what kind of development would go along the rail.

It's a different story in other places around the country, which have taken direct action to ensure development follows a logical pattern. That includes Charlotte, which won federal money for its rail system when the Orange County Commission turned down the funds in 1999. The first part of Charlotte's transit line, light rail, is scheduled to open in fall 2007. The commuter-rail line is supposed to begin running in 2010.

Just like Central Florida, the Charlotte line is planned to operate on existing freight tracks and carry passengers from suburban towns and cities to downtown. In both Central Florida and Charlotte, the lines run parallel to major interstates -- Interstate 4 in Central Florida, Interstate 77 in Charlotte. And many of the stops are planned for historic downtowns that have deteriorated as growth has sprawled out from the interstates.

But beyond that, the two regions differ in how they have been planning their commuter-rail systems.

"Here [Central Florida], they are designing it to build the best transit system; in Charlotte, they are designing it to build the best community," said Troy Russ, a transportation planner with the Orlando firm Glatting Jackson. Russ has spent six years working on Charlotte's public-transportation system.

In the Charlotte area, the local governments have focused not only on planning the stations but also taking the lead in planning the area around the stations. To do this, local governments have bought land around the station and then sold it to handpicked developers who agreed to create the walkable communities Charlotte envisioned. The governments also created new zoning categories to more easily allow denser development, and they offered financial incentives to developers who build transit-friendly projects.

As a result, nearly 10,000 homes are planned or under construction at eight of the 12 commuter-rail stops and, just like in the pre-automobile days, the downtown cores of towns and cities are becoming a hotbed of activity.

That approach gives the rail line a better chance to succeed by building ridership from those who live within walking distance of stations. And it directs growth to areas that already have infrastructure such as roads, schools, water, sewer and public safety.

"It's fair to say the commuter rail has given local policymakers one additional rationale or justification for focusing the intensity and density [of development] along the central core of the rail line as opposed to allowing more of a suburban-sprawl pattern to continue to develop," said Jonathan Wells, Charlotte's land-use project manager for the commuter-rail line.

Transit-oriented development can turn suburban towns into more than bedroom communities. In the Charlotte suburbs, towns are planning farmers markets, interactive museums, corporate headquarters and libraries around their rail stops.

In Central Florida, leaders in cities up and down the proposed rail line say they are interested in transit-oriented development and are waiting for the project's final approval, which could come this summer.

But Linda White, president and CEO of the West Volusia Chamber of Commerce, said governments must take the lead.

"In reality, we haven't embraced the next generation of development," she said. "We are still very dependent on vehicles. Anything that we can do as a community to lessen our use of the automobile is probably good for us in the long run."

Jay Hamburg can be reached at 407-420-5673 or jhamburg@orlandosentinel.com. Etan Horowitz can be reached at ehorowitz@orlandosentinel.com or 386-851-7915.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-r...,1123017.story

[jzquince69]

Smiley, thanks for bailing me out on that.

[smiley]

No problem. The interesting thing is that this is a real Orlando rail - not Disney rail.

[Jahi98]

If they can get it together, good for Orlando! Are there any plans for commuter lines into Lake, Polk and Brevard Counties or into west Orange County? That would really set the area off.