Uptown

[dcluley98]

There is a pedestrian bridge planned over Colonial between I-4 and Orange.  It is supposed to connect the OUT with Gertrude's Walk to downtown/church street.  The project is funded and planned and supposed to coincide with the Ultimate I-4 work in that section.  Supposedly was scheduled to be complete open in 2017, but will probably be delayed.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2014-07-16/business/os-orlando-colonial-bridge-20140716_1_orlando-international-airport-paths-downtown-orlando

 

[Universe_Explorer]

There is a pedestrian bridge planned over Colonial between I-4 and Orange.  It is supposed to connect the OUT with Gertrude's Walk to downtown/church street.  The project is funded and planned and supposed to coincide with the Ultimate I-4 work in that section.  Supposedly was scheduled to be complete open in 2017, but will probably be delayed.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2014-07-16/business/os-orlando-colonial-bridge-20140716_1_orlando-international-airport-paths-downtown-orlando

 

As a frequent user of the urban trail I can't wait for this to be a reality.  But unfortunately, lots of evidence suggests casual pedestrians will avoid these bridges (and the steps/ramps leading up and down them) and just try to cross at street level anyway. I think there is a real benefit to pedestrian bridges in areas with large crowds crossing together (for example, the I-Drive/Sandlake proposal or anywhere near a convention center/arena) - people will naturally follow the crowd - but a couple dudes who live in Steel House wanting to get a sub at Mama B's?  I'd put my money on them waiting at the light and making a run for it versus climbing up and down stairs.  The only real solution I can think of is the eventual build out of the Sentinel site and perhaps some areas on Magnolia north of Colonial creating a critical mass of people crossing that area daily - if it's crowded enough, over time pedestrians will force their will on the road and win longer crossing light times, etc.  Also, as I mentioned above, "Uptown" would do well for itself by marketing to a slightly more mature crowd and steering their recreational interests north towards Ivanhoe/Mills 50

[dcluley98]

I live in SteelHouse currently and ride the OUT at least once a week.  I completely agree with you on all points.  The Ped Bridge would make more sense around Orange probably, but they have no ROW there obviously.  I probably won't ever take that bridge unless I am going to Church street area or Amway or the new MLS stadium.  That is kind of why it's there I guess, but i think mostly transients will frequent that area and some walkers/joggers that live in the CBD.  Me, I just wait on the lights.  Can't wait for the Sevens to finish and new stuff to open up. A grocery store would be FANTASTIC but that probably won't happen unless Publix decides their store on Shine is too old and small in the future (which it probably is) and decide to put one uptown/highlands area and one further east to serve Colonial Town and Mills.

I like the Uptown Area, though.  Close enough to Downtown to walk if you really want to, far enough away to not deal with some of the bad stuff about living downtown, and some good restaurants, and access to parks and trails.  I could still walk or ride a bike to work if it wasn't so darn hot and rained every afternoon.  

[Jernigan]

Street-level crossings at an intersection with or near a pedestrian bridge is not the same as no one using the pedestrian bridge.

The bridge will make a lot of sense for cyclists/runners on the trail....but if you're going from NORA to Mama B's, or from the Residence Inn to North Quarter Tavern, crossing at street-level is logical.

I often take South Street from Bumby to Rosalind and it has no bearing on the purpose of the 408

 

[RedStar25]

[jrs2]

^^

great photos.  it's a cool looking building.  they are now building the parking deck behind it along Park Lake.

[JFW657]

Wow. Looking at that bottom picture, one might actually get the impression it was taken in some big city somewhere.

Very urban looking.

 

[John Hargrove]

Great pics.

Driving through uptown you get a much more urban feeling than you would have 5 years ago. It's nice to see it take shape. My hopes for the area have improved over the last 5 years as well. The future holds a lot for this area, I think.

 

[Jernigan]

On another note, there should be a crosswalk added at Park Lake by now.    No way someone walks to Marks or Colonial to cross the street.

Edited December 4, 2015 by Jernigan

[jgardnerucf]

50 minutes ago, Jernigan said:

On another note, there should be a crosswalk added at Park Lake by now.    No way someone walks to Marks or Colonial to cross the street.

That's the trail crossing.

Edited December 4, 2015 by jgardnerucf
remove pic, easier read.

[dcluley98]

They probably won't add a crosswalk there until construction on the Sevens is finished.  The sidewalk on the east side of Orange is closed due to the construction barrier fence.  I think they are trying to keep people off that corner for now, and will revisit pedestrian circulation and street level experience once the sitework begins. 

[jrs2]

^^

that's a really great shot.  wow.  if GDC had waited 2 years before starting NORA,  they probably would've gone vertical a few more floors than they did.

[prahaboheme]

More townhomes on the way!

21-unit townhouse development for Park Lake:

These types of developments really do serve to strengthen the neighborhoods.

[Jernigan]

Same company - Icon - building next to SoDo.

They match SoDo perfectly.  Bad idea to copy/paste the design in Park Lake.  

[prahaboheme]

While it is the same company, it is not a copy/paste.

[Jernigan]

What's a better term?  

[AndyPok1]

Also any context for location?  That rendering tells me nothing.

[prahaboheme]

11 hours ago, Jernigan said:

What's a better term?  

I'm not sure what you mean by this.  They are not the same projects.

The SODO townhouse design:

[prahaboheme]

29 minutes ago, AndyPok1 said:

Also any context for location?  That rendering tells me nothing.

Here you are, Park Lake & Highland:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/744+Highland+Ave,+Orlando,+FL+32803/@28.554796,-81.3762537,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x88e77af1ebb42b3f:0x87d129e606093181

[bulldogger]

That looks great for the neighborhood.  4 stories is good to slowly build up to higher buildings in the Uptown core along Magnolia/Orange.

[GTR]

The SoDo townhouses look so much more attractive. Seems odd the better design would be hidden away in not the best of neighborhoods and the weaker design would be used in a high-value focal point setting:

[prahaboheme]

6 minutes ago, GTR said:

The SoDo townhouses look so much more attractive. Seems odd the better design would be hidden away in not the best of neighborhoods and the weaker design would be used in a high-value focal point setting:

I'd suggest the developer went for a less "offensive" design in Park Lake to appease the neighbors.  That never really turns out well.

Edited January 22, 2016 by prahaboheme

[JFW657]

6 hours ago, prahaboheme said:

I'd suggest the developer went for a less "offensive" design in Park Lake to appease the neighbors.  That never really turns out well.

I think the Park Lake design is much more fitting for that neighborhood, especially with the darker colors. I'm tired of seeing these bleached out looking white & grey buildings that look more like they belong in Miami, going into the old tree lined neighborhoods in downtown Orlando.

 

[GTR]

1 hour ago, JFW657 said:

I think the Park Lake design is much more fitting for that neighborhood, especially with the darker colors. I'm tired of seeing these bleached out looking white & grey buildings that look more like they belong in Miami, going into the old tree lined neighborhoods in downtown Orlando.

 

I agree, but doo-doo brown is hardly an appealing color either.

[JFW657]

Maybe the color in the rendering is only approximate.

Plus, the front is brick. Love that.