UP|Florida

THE Orlando Photo Thread

prahaboheme — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:51:52 +0000

How about some updates on the following projects:

Sleet House
DPAC
Florida Hospital/Burnham Research building on Princeton

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THE Orlando Photo Thread

castorvx — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:40:58 +0000

With DPAC going up, FUMCO finished and a bunch of projects on the horizon, I finally got around to purchasing a nice high-end wide-angle lens to get building site photos with. I tested it tonight looking down from my balcony with fog rolling in. Screwed up with the aperture and post processing wasn't very good because I was on my crap laptop screen, but here it is:

I plan to go out this weekend and get some nice shots of FUMCO complete and see what I can get of the DPAC construction site. DPAC is so low to the ground and surrounded by construction fences that I might not get much there ...

Any requests? Maybe I'll head over to GAI as well.

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Lake Nona - Medical City

prahaboheme — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:07:03 +0000

UCF medical school hospital raises concerns

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-ucf-teaching-hospital-20120203,0,6307691.story

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Greater Orlando Roads & Traffic

prahaboheme — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:00:47 +0000

Lynx issues new RFP for FlexBus study, demo

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2012/02/lynx-issues-new-rfp-for-flexbus-study.html

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Metro Orlando Airport News

prahaboheme — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:57:56 +0000

Orlando International Airport gets OK on Cuba flights

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/morning_call/2012/02/orlando-international-airport-gets-ok.html

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The Plaza

prahaboheme — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:42:52 +0000

I think it will be visually interesting -- hopefully they can work within the city's approval measures to gain the green light.

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The Plaza

smileguy — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:13:25 +0000

It looks like the Plaza wants to put a 400sft video board on the South tower facing Orange Avenue. Here's what I can pull out of the Historic Preservation Board staff report.

The applicant (RP Realty Partners) is requesting a Major Certificate of Appropriateness to install a digital screen on the curved façade of the south tower generally facing Orange Avenue.

The sign is proposed to be mounted on the south and is centered on two of the columns and mounted 29’-3” above the ground.. The sign is supported by steel arms that are connected to steel support columns that are mounted to concrete beams above and below. The southern tree partially blocks the view of the area of the proposed sign and the proposal shows that the tree will be trimmed.

What do you think:

Staff is suggesting denial of this application mostly due the following clause in the downtown Special Signage District. Digital screens must be flush with the building façade, architecturally integrated into the building onto which it is affixed, and oriented towards the pedestrian and not passing motorists.

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SunRail: Central Florida Commuter Rail

Downtown Steve — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:42:48 +0000

SunRail broke ground on Friday!

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Orlando Restaurants & Bars

steve_o — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:52:14 +0000

Downtown Steve, on 25 January 2012 - 01:22 PM, said:

Downtown South: Chili Daddy on Michigan appeared to be closed when I drove by Monday 1/23. "Restaurant for Sale" sign in the window.

"Chili Daddy" is closed Sunday and Monday.

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Orlando Restaurants & Bars

spenser1058 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:40:20 +0000

smileguy, on 26 January 2012 - 10:43 PM, said:

Don't worry - I am sure 2 or 3 will spring up to replace it.

Well, Walgreens' Duane Reade stores started offering small kegs of beer in NYC - maybe if they open a 24-hour drugstore downtown they could fake it as a bar. And then we could get Ace Hardware to stock items and offer lessons for building barstools or maybe a still. Perhaps we just need to get creative to get actual retail downtown!

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Greater Orlando Roads & Traffic

castorvx — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:45:26 +0000

I agree. I think the primary motivation for the E/W over the N/S is SunRail.

Though I do think the E/W route is a joke. I live in 55W, want to shop in Thornton Park, and it will still be less of a pain in the ass to use my car.

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Orlando Restaurants & Bars

smileguy — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:43:09 +0000

Don't worry - I am sure 2 or 3 will spring up to replace it.

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Orlando Restaurants & Bars

spenser1058 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:12:36 +0000

But that can't be! We don't have nearly enough bars downtown!

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Orlando Restaurants & Bars

smileguy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:33:00 +0000

Baby Grands appeared to be closed (bar equipment gone in the bar against the window) last night when I walked by to check out Mad Cow construction (demolition is underway.) Anyone know more on BG?

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Orlando Restaurants & Bars

Downtown Steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:22:42 +0000

Downtown South: Chili Daddy on Michigan appeared to be closed when I drove by Monday 1/23. "Restaurant for Sale" sign in the window.

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First United Methodist Church

Downtown Steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:18:37 +0000

I received a memo this morning:

South Street from Rosalind Avenue to Magnolia Avenue will be closed on the following dates and time for construction associated with the South Street Realignment Project:

Monday, January 30 from 7PM to 6AM
Tuesday, January 31 from 7PM to 6AM
Wednesday, February 1 from 11PM to 6AM
Thursday, February 7 from 7PM to 6AM

During this time, Rosalind Avenue will be reduced from 3 lanes to 1 lane between Anderson Street and South Street.

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First United Methodist Church

Boomer136 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:32:48 +0000

jgardnerucf, on 11 July 2011 - 10:18 AM, said:

As somewhat of a main artery getting off at Mills and Rosalind from the 408 on 'event nights' with all 3 lanes solid, the accidents of people not understanding a 200ft cut out swoop to the left after going straight all the way from Crystal Lake is going to be increased. I sure hope that is a decorative retaining wall of concrete, not pillars, to protect that dumb facade sticking out, not to mention people walking on the sidewalk...

(...Still shakes head everyday when passing it...)

Isn't the idea that when the FUMCO building (that's what, 5 years old?) is demolished that South will swoop into the PAC's block, retaining the three lanes?

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Greater Orlando Roads & Traffic

Downtown Steve — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:21:22 +0000

I'm not sure which one is the priority (E/W or N/S) but if the E/W is going to be done, then now is the time to do it along with the rest of the improvements to W. Church Street. I know their goal is to have them both done by the end of 2013 before SunRail arrives.

In terms of SunRail, I'd put E/W as a higher priority than N/S. If I live outside of Orlando and take the train in, I have the choice to get off at Orlando Health, Church Street, LYNX Central Station or Florida Hospital. AKA, the center and the north and south ends of the North/South LYMMO track.

The only reason I'd have to walk far is if I worked in an office in Thornton Park/Eola Heights/Colonialtown. And on the west end, the LYMMO would connect those residents to the train that they could then take north or south outside of Orlando or to the hospitals.

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Greater Orlando Roads & Traffic

prahaboheme — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:29:04 +0000

The streetscape upgrades are sorely needed. That is a welcome improvement. The Lymmo BRT lanes are not. Who is going to use them and why isn't the priority the North/South axis extension?

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Greater Orlando Roads & Traffic

smileguy — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:20:54 +0000

It looks like West Church St. is getting some streetscape upgrades between Amway and the Citrus Bowl. This seems to include BRT lanes that are not in the current expansion phases. Any thoughts on that?

From the City Council item - "The project includes upgrades to the existing pavement sections, widening sidewalks on both sides, new street lighting, undergrounding existing overhead utilities, a faux bridge at the new Parramore Heritage Park, upgrades to stormwater collection systems, intersection signalization upgrades, future "Lymmo" type service lanes to the Citrus Bowl, landscaping and irrigation and other aesthetic improvements."

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Downtown Orlando Project Discussion

mrh3 — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:49:28 +0000

Ain't that a sign o' the times.

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Downtown Orlando Project Discussion

sunshine — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:27:47 +0000

the person own those spaces also own the space that a friend of mine was leasing....so he told me the "news"

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Amway Center

castorvx — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:43:56 +0000

Yeah, agreed. I don't drive much in downtown (since I live and work down here), so I don't care as much. If they start blocking pedestrian routes and the likes, I might have a gripe.

Living in 55 West, I've been stopped by event people multiple times who wish to prevent me from walking down Church to my apartment. I usually just tell them to shove it and walk through anyway, but sometimes they're a little more serious and it can be a real pain in the ass.

All that said, it's hard to complain. Downtown needs a little shot in the arm, and it would be hard to find something as appropriate as the NBA All Star game. It will be over in a few days, and Orlando will receive national attention and lots of money spending. Bring it on.

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Amway Center

prahaboheme — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:44:11 +0000

The naysayers need to suck it up -- road closures are necessary without mass transit alternatives. This is huge for downtown.

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Amway Center

surina777 — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:16:03 +0000

Interested to see what other UP'ers think about this ....

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/vips-get-special-nba-all-star-weekend-traffic-trea/nGPS3/

ORLANDO, Fla. —
Orlando city officials told WFTV that they're giving VIP ticket-holders their own lanes of traffic through downtown Orlando during next month's NBA All-Star game.

Certain roads surrounding the Amway Center will be closed for game events, but VIP drivers will still be able to use them.

City officials said a lot of this is being mandated by the NBA, but it really comes down to accommodating people expected to spend upwards of $60 million over four days.

Officials said the city hasn't generated cash like that at once since the 1994 World Cup.

In five weeks, 80,000 people are expected to hit Orlando. That's nearly half the city's population.

Orlando resident Catherine Reyes said she is already dreading the traffic nightmare.

"Especially when there's that going on, and you shut down more streets," Reyes said.

During the four-day all-star event, not only will the city put up a fence around the Amway Center to keep everyday people away from the Amway Center, but on Tuesday, WFTV got the first look at a map that shows how the NBA is asking the city to shut down and reserve major roads for VIPs.

Streets will be closed from West Church Street to Garland, and North Central Avenue to Anderson.

When drivers get off I-4 at South Street, they will have to go through a security checkpoint set up in the middle of the intersection. Only VIPs will be allowed to go straight, and left toward the Amway Center. Everyone else will be directed east of downtown.

WFTV asked transportation engineer Frank Consoli if they're getting special treatment.

"Somewhat. But you forget they're also spending a lot of money in Orlando," Consoli said.

Orlando residents said they spend money, too, every day, and this sends the wrong message.

"If you make a little more money, little bit of a high roller, then get special treatment," Reyes said.

When WFTV asked Reyes "Is that fair?" Reyes said, "No, definitely not!"

But Orlando resident Mark Smith sees no reason to complain about the event expected to pour $65 million to $80 million into the city.

"If we look at the little things and complain about that, they might not come back," Smith said.

WFTV found out that other cities have made similar accommodations for VIPs during All-Star Weekend.

City officials said the NBA wanted even more roads shut down, but they had to draw the line somewhere.

City engineers will be able to control traffic lights to keep all of the traffic moving.

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Orlando transit

Downtown Steve — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:57:44 +0000

LYMMO Study Needs You

The LYMMO study group will be holding public meetings to seek community input for the final recommendation of LYMMO’s North/South Corridor alignments. Updates on the East/West and Parramore bus rapid transit (BRT) projects also will be presented.

North Corridors
Thursday, Jan. 26
6-6:30 p.m. (Open House)
6:30-8 p.m. (Presentation and Discussion)
The Mennello Museum of American Art
900 E. Princeton Street, Orlando, Fla. 32803
South Corridors
Monday, Jan. 30
6-6:30 p.m. (Open House)
6:30-8 p.m. (Presentation and Discussion)
Mayor William Beardall Senior Center
800 South Delaney Avenue, Orlando, Fla. 32801, Ballroom, 2nd Floor

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Greater Orlando Roads & Traffic

Downtown Steve — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:54:47 +0000

$1.66B Wekiva Parkway gets approval

A decades-long drive to build a highway across the Wekiva River likely came to a successful end Tuesday after the project won approval from a key regional transportation board.
The decision means construction on the $1.66 billion Wekiva Parkway could start as early as this fall at the west end near Apopka. Work on the east end, where the toll road links with Interstate 4, would begin in 2017. The parkway would largely follow State Road 46 and be complete by 2021.

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Downtown Orlando Project Discussion

Downtown Steve — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:51:16 +0000

Ha - that's fine. Just don't blame me for the World of Beer. I was pretty excited about that.

That said, sunshine - how breaking is this news about WOB backing out?

They have a Facebook page that they have been using up through this past Saturday and on Jan 1 they posted "Coming Soon!"

http://www.facebook.com/WOBDowntownOrlando

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Downtown Orlando Project Discussion

smileguy — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:53:18 +0000

sunshine, on 17 January 2012 - 10:59 AM, said:

World of Beer and subway backed out of those deal..so they wont be there....

I blame Downtown Steve's comment on here for Subway!

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Downtown Orlando Project Discussion

sunshine — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:59:35 +0000

World of Beer and subway backed out of those deal..so they wont be there....

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