1492 replies to this topic

[spenser1058]

Goodness, when things start moving, they just hit hyperdrive:

Expressway, state reach deal to build Wekiva Parkway

http://www.orlandose...4,0,98970.story

Edited by spenser1058, 24 May 2011 - 03:32 PM.

[spenser1058]

The Orlando Weekly is reporting that UCF is meeting Thursday to consider providing PBS programming via WUCF. After the WMFE debacle (I am going to be civilized and not offer my thoughts on Jose Fajardo), WUCF likely could make the flagship PBS affiliate much stronger. They have already been doing some awesome local programming online and via low-power WBCC that we could only dream about on Channel 24. From a deep dark storm in public broadcasting, a potential silver lining that could be a major plus for the community!

PBS R.I.P.?

http://orlandoweekly...c34864b58f8b3,0

Edited by spenser1058, 24 May 2011 - 05:32 PM.

[spenser1058]

Good news from KSC - the primary office working on commercial crews for the private rockets going into space will be at KSC. This "ensures that KSC will be the future hub of private rocket activity," and keeps the central Florida region at the forefront of one of our most unique assets: access to space. Advantage: Orlando!

NASA preparing to put astronauts on commercial rockets

http://www.orlandose...0,1656930.story

[bulldogger]

spenser1058, on 24 May 2011 - 03:32 PM, said:

Goodness, when things start moving, they just hit hyperdrive:

Expressway, state reach deal to build Wekiva Parkway

http://www.orlandose...4,0,98970.story

I don't understand this at all.  Why are they building it?  The only reason is so there is a circle around Orlando.  The reason given by the pro side is that it will complete a loop that allows traffic to go around the Orlando core instead of dealing with the gridlock of downtown Orlando.  It's a bypass.  I get that concept, but the ability to bypass downtown Orlando is already in place if you go the other direction to the East.  You don't need a circle to go on a path.  The local politicians are fighting to get this done when there is no apparent need.  The only reason you may NEED to have the loop on the West side of town is to improve the ability for developers on that side of town.  Stop selling the "beltway" theory.  It isn't about people going around the city, it is about the possibility of milking local drivers out of toll money.

I just went to Wekiva Springs this past Sunday and I don't even want to think about what may happen with construction rolling through this beautiful wetland.

[jack]

I agree Bulldogger. I do not get the environmental benefits. You build it to be able to develop more land.

[spenser1058]

[quote name='bulldogger' timestamp='1306322771' post='1143872']
I don't understand this at all.  Why are they building it?  The only reason is so there is a circle around Orlando.  The reason given by the pro side is that it will complete a loop that allows traffic to go around the Orlando core instead of dealing with the gridlock of downtown Orlando.  It's a bypass.  I get that concept, but the ability to bypass downtown Orlando is already in place if you go the other direction to the East.  You don't need a circle to go on a path.  The local politicians are fighting to get this done when there is no apparent need.  The only reason you may NEED to have the loop on the West side of town is to improve the ability for developers on that side of town.  Stop selling the "beltway" theory.  It isn't about people going around the city, it is about the possibility of milking local drivers out of toll money.

I just went to Wekiva Springs this past Sunday and I don't even want to think about what may happen with construction rolling through this beautiful wetland.



I believe there were some compromises made so that what is to be built will have less development than there would have been otherwise; in fact, several environmental organizations participated and signed off on it as the best they could hope for because it's prime for development one way or another.

Having said that, in fact, whatever gets built, as bulldogger and jack note, is all about development. The Powers That Be being vetted for the most part (especially these days) by the development community, it's understandable why O-OCEA wants the road. And the Turnpike Authority exists to build roads (if you're a hammer, then everything you see is a nail). What I can't figure out is why the Orlando Sentinel editorial page is in such a hurry on this.

What also concerns me is that, in today's editorial, they're hot to trot for the Feds to procure funds for the I4 interchange. My problem with that is that we have a problem much more in need of a solution than hooking up the Wekiva Parkway to I4 right now. Central Florida's busiest intersection, I4 and FL 408 is a daily Malfunction Junction that frequently backs up traffic on I4 from lunchtime until well after 8pm. For some reason, everyone in the local power structure continues to ignore this (although O-OCEA fixed their side of the interchange with the redo of the East-West). The Sentinel needs to push any funds we can wrangle from the Feds on fixing that mess before they worry about the Wekiva, imho. Of course, that does nothing for the developers short-term, but in the long run it's going to affect job creation because half of central Florida is going to be stuck in a traffic jam because of that interchange.

I recognize that I4 "Transformation" is supposed to rebuild that whole section between Ivanhoe and OBT (and beyond), but this interchange is backing up traffic today and can't wait 5 years or whatever (they're still trying to allocate funds) for resolution. Oddly, none of our local officials seem to be in any rush about it.

Edited by spenser1058, 25 May 2011 - 12:05 PM.

[Downtown Steve]

Amazing that the same people (people in general, not any political party or group) can see a value in building this but not in SunRail.

Both are "social engineering" to the same degree - except one will add value to both the urban area and the suburban (they sold you privacy and faux country living so the more urban the core is, the more country your suburban home will be relatively speaking).  

Wekiva will only spread out the tax base while straining public works, police, fire, education.

[jack]

If they build it, will it affect the I-4/408 interchange? It may in the short term if they believe the beltway will be used to bypass Downtown.

[cloudship]

bulldogger, on 25 May 2011 - 05:26 AM, said:

I don't understand this at all.  Why are they building it?

Because spending 1.8 billion on a wasteful construction project that only benefits a bunch of roadway construction companies and housing developers is a "no-brainer" but spending 8 billion on a HSR route that would be a major economic driver, allow many more people access to decent jobs and actually save commuters money is wasteful. That these same people who threw away federal money for HSr are now demanding that the rest of the country pay for their own little pet project is disgusting and selfish.

[bulldogger]

cloudship, on 25 May 2011 - 04:30 PM, said:

Because spending 1.8 billion on a wasteful construction project that only benefits a bunch of roadway construction companies and housing developers is a "no-brainer" but spending 8 billion on a HSR route that would be a major economic driver, allow many more people access to decent jobs and actually save commuters money is wasteful. That these same people who threw away federal money for HSr are now demanding that the rest of the country pay for their own little pet project is disgusting and selfish.

Agreed.

[bic]

Central Florida Projects Vetoed by Gov. Rick Scott

[bic]

Lake Eola Park's New Sound System Pumps Out Oldies and More

Seriously?

[castorvx]

Brace yourselves ...

Anonymous Declares War On The City Of Orlando

http://techcrunch.co...es-war-orlando/

Edited by castorvx, 27 June 2011 - 11:20 PM.

[alex]

This month's Orlando Magazine released its annual "50 Most Powerful List."  While I agree that Jacobs wields a lot of power in Orange County, I'm not sure I agree with her number one spot...  I feel like she got it more for stirring up drama and being contrary than actually accomplishing anything.  Nonetheless, the article is a good summary of the Who's Who in Orlando - including quite a few developers.

--------------------------------------------------

On an unrelated note: Did that cyber war on Orlando ever materialize?

[castorvx]

alex, on 12 July 2011 - 09:16 PM, said:

This month's Orlando Magazine released its annual "50 Most Powerful List."  While I agree that Jacobs wields a lot of power in Orange County, I'm not sure I agree with her number one spot...  I feel like she got it more for stirring up drama and being contrary than actually accomplishing anything.  Nonetheless, the article is a good summary of the Who's Who in Orlando - including quite a few developers.

--------------------------------------------------

On an unrelated note: Did that cyber war on Orlando ever materialize?

Still going on .. Buddy Dyer's campaign website is regularly down, and some police websites have been up and down.

More of an annoyance than anything.

[FLheat]

Here's some positive news about the Orlando Housing Market:

http://realestate.ao...lshare_facebook

[Downtown Steve]

This is awesome!

CNN - Top Travel Destinations for 2012


Orlando
Reid conceded some people might think of this choice as "ridiculous," but he called Orlando a legitimate surprise.
"By Orlando, I refer to Orlando the city," he said. "Local Orlando (residents) will tell you that the amusement park scene has no connection to the city itself."
The metropolis most people breeze by as they head to Disney World will transform into celebrity central as it hosts the 61st NBA All-Star Game in February.
Reid advised travelers to check out the city's lakes, museums and scenic neighborhoods, including the bohemian Milk District.
He also praised Orlando's food scene.
"There's this very big, wonderful, authentic, fantastic and tasty Vietnamese restaurant community called ViMi -- it's more authentic Vietnamese restaurants than you find in New York or San Francisco," he said.

[prahaboheme]

Orlando is getting 2012 destination praise from multiple sources and all echo the "city" side over the theme parks.  Perhaps the city will finally share the spotlight.

[DeepEyez]

This is good press.

[bic]

Buddy Dyer Wins Third Term as Mayor