Winter Garden/Ocoee/Oakland Projects

[spenser1058]

Oakland is doing it again! It’s converting 50 home from septic to sewer. That will increase property values and save water but also protect underground flows that end up in Lake Apopka.

It isn’t easy being green and small towns really struggle with it but Oakland is walking the walk.

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/oakland-to-break-ground-on-hull-septic-to-sewer-project

From The West Orange Times Observer 

 

[smileguy]

15 minutes ago, spenser1058 said:

Oakland is doing it again! It’s converting 50 home from septic to sewer. That will increase property values and save water but also protect underground flows that end up in Lake Apopka.

It isn’t easy being green and small towns really struggle with it but Oakland is walking the walk.

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/oakland-to-break-ground-on-hull-septic-to-sewer-project

From The West Orange Times Observer 

I think we will see some more of this with the most recent stimulus bill.  When I asked about plans for Orlando's allocation, I was told most was going to go to new sewer. 

[spenser1058]

Some major detours are coming to Oakland as FDOT begins a 4 1/2 year widening project on the Turnpike:

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/oakland-prepares-for-traffic-headache

 

From West Orange Times Observer 

 

 

 

 

[spenser1058]

Two apartment complexes proposed for Oakland:

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/oakland-pandz-to-review-two-proposed-apartment-projects

From The West Orange Times Observer 

Of all the really cool places to live in Oakland, Highway 50 would definitely be at the bottom of the list.

[Tim3167]

Worth noting here is that one of these proposals is from OneEleven residential, the developers for Lake House.

 

[jrs2]

On 7/21/2021 at 5:14 PM, spenser1058 said:

Some major detours are coming to Oakland as FDOT begins a 4 1/2 year widening project on the Turnpike:

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/oakland-prepares-for-traffic-headache

 

From West Orange Times Observer 

 

so, they are going to widen the Fla TNPK from the SR 50 Clermont exit north to the newer Hancock Road exit on the TNPK.  It took me a while to figure that out.  I think that's good.  They built a new Kroger Distribution Center at that newer exit and they will probably attract even more commercial space to there.

Hopefully they will continue with the 8 lanes width the TNPK already has east of there.

[Tim3167]

The real bummer is that means the old railroad bridge over the turnpike that is now used by the West Orange Trail has to be replaced. I hope they replace with something distinctive and fitting for the area.

[spenser1058]

12 minutes ago, jrs2 said:

so, they are going to widen the Fla TNPK from the SR 50 Clermont exit north to the newer Hancock Road exit on the TNPK.  It took me a while to figure that out.  I think that's good.  They built a new Kroger Distribution Center at that newer exit and they will probably attract even more commercial space to there.

Hopefully they will continue with the 8 lanes width the TNPK already has east of there.

An endless stream of commuting Republicans?

[jrs2]

1 hour ago, spenser1058 said:

An endless stream of commuting Republicans?

Nah, I think Republicans probably try to stay away from Orange County as much as possible, LOL.

[codypet]

16 hours ago, Tim3167 said:

The real bummer is that means the old railroad bridge over the turnpike that is now used by the West Orange Trail has to be replaced. I hope they replace with something distinctive and fitting for the area.

Narrator:  They won't.

I'm good friends with the PM on that job and I had asked him about that about a year back and they said the County didn't want to pay to make something distinct there.

[aent]

On 8/12/2021 at 4:27 PM, jrs2 said:

Hopefully they will continue with the 8 lanes width the TNPK already has east of there.

Yes, it is 8 lanes throughout. Infact, I believe in 2023, before this project is done, they're starting the next phase past US27. I believe the plan is to 8 lane all of Lake County.

[Tim3167]

The first apartment complex on 50 in Oakland to go in front of P&Z did not pass tonite. It goes to town commission next month.

[spenser1058]

Egad! We’re losing the WG Maryland Fried Chicken - say it ain’t so! It was one of the few bright spots on Highway 50 (as wonderful as Plant St. is, W. Colonial Dr. in WG is just awful - don’t even get me started on that Publix shopping center).

They had the best fried chicken livers in town (for that matter, about the only ones). I’ll miss the sign, too *sigh*

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/winter-garden-commission-approves-demolition-of-maryland-fried-chicken

From The West Orange Times Observer 

[spenser1058]

Woohoo! There’s a petition online to save WG’s MFC before it’s too late - will there be more chicken liver dinners in my future?!?

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/fans-launch-petition-to-save-maryland-fried-chicken

From The West Orange Times Observer 

[spenser1058]

Ocoee’s getting a $3 million wellness park thanks to a grant from the West Orange Healthcare District. It will also include a trail that connects to Ocoee’s Downtown Trail near Ocoee Middle:

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/dollar3-million-grant-approved-for-ocoee-park

From West Orange Times Observer 

Looks like my Cousin Rusty is getting downright trendy out there in The Center of Good Living - who knew?
 

Edited August 26, 2021 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

Lunch at Three Birds Cafe on Plant St.?  Sounds good:

Three Birds Cafe builds a nest on Plant Street | Review 
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/food-restaurants/os-et-orlando-restaurant-review-three-birds-cafe-winter-garden-plant-street-20210902-ezxfmay7mrfozkzhckzftowzk4-story.html

From The Sentinel 

 

[spenser1058]

Scott J is back in WG checking out Pammie’s Sammies. This one looks really good!

https://www.scottjosephorlando.com/reviews/51-american/5753-pammie-s-sammies

[spenser1058]

Warren Buffett’s moving into WG! Well, not really. But they are getting a DQ Grill and Chill on Highway 50. I’d rather keep the MFC but we take what we can get..*ponders if @RedStar25will be stopping in for a Blizzard*.

Btw, my favorite DQ is still the 1953 version on US 1 in NSB. Unlike we tend to do in Orlando, they’ve preserved it in near pristine condition over the years and the community would be up in arms if anyone messed with it.

I always wanna sing “a little ditty about Jack and Diane” when I stop by. Of course, they went to a Tastee-Freez so it’s not precise, but one makes do.  WG used to have a TF on Dillard Street- if only they’d kept it *sigh*.
 

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/attention-winter-garden-dq-eyes-december-opening

From The West Orange Times Observer 

*Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (not Jane) owns DQ.

http://www.dqnsb.com/

Edited October 7, 2021 by spenser1058

[codypet]

16 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

Btw, my favorite DQ is still the 1953 version on US 1 in NSB. Unlike we tend to do in Orlando, they’ve preserved it in near pristine condition over the years and the community would be up in arms if anyone messed with it.

I used to love the Curry Ford one, but in the last 10 years they've done a couple of renovations to make it look like its more current versions.

[FLClarkKent]

2 hours ago, codypet said:

I used to love the Curry Ford one, but in the last 10 years they've done a couple of renovations to make it look like its more current versions.

I hate living close to the Curry Ford DQ - bad for my girlish figure. Also - the limited edition Pecan Pie Blizzard is top notch.

[codypet]

15 minutes ago, FLClarkKent said:

I hate living close to the Curry Ford DQ - bad for my girlish figure. Also - the limited edition Pecan Pie Blizzard is top notch.

Between the Curry Ford DQ and Kelly's on Ferncreek and Kaley, its sooo hard to fight temptation.

[spenser1058]

6 minutes ago, codypet said:

Between the Curry Ford DQ and Kelly's on Ferncreek and Kaley, its sooo hard to fight temptation.

Time to check out those dad jeans with the expandable waist!

[Orlandozak]

New hotel slated for downtown WG scheduled to start construction in 2022.  Design looks pretty advanced….   Should be a great add.  Will go across from City Hall.  All approvals are already complete.
 

https://www.impliedhotels.com/winter-garden-hotel

[spenser1058]

33 minutes ago, Orlandozak said:

New hotel slated for downtown WG scheduled to start construction in 2022.  Design looks pretty advanced….   Should be a great add.  Will go across from City Hall.  All approvals are already complete.
 

https://www.impliedhotels.com/winter-garden-hotel

WG is always good about making sure the downtown projects actually fit into the aesthetic they’ve developed (something Orlando has cared less about since 2003). I’m assuming this was the hotel there was a kerfuffle about parking and am curious how they resolved that. 

[spenser1058]

Complete Streets concepts complete in Oakland for a redo of Oakland Avenue and Tubb Street:

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/oakland-presents-complete-streets-project

From The West Orange Times Observer 

Oakland has been the scrawny little bro for so long and here lately they’re acting all grown up and keeping up with big bro WG. Who knew? I’m impressed, though.

 

Edited October 11, 2021 by spenser1058