Downtown Orlando Project Discussion

[metal93]

On 1/29/2016 at 4:26 PM, dcluley98 said:

That might good news, Jernigan.  That massing siteplan for the Sentinel property was pretty underwhelming.  It would not be good if the land is abandoned and vacant for a long time, but a better overall development plan for that area in part of the core DT would be a benefit in the long run.

Yeah, I did not like massing plan. I'm all for urban infill but not necessarily in the form of huge sprawling apartment buildings.

I couldn't help but play a little urban planner here, but what I envision is breaking up the two massive blocks into 15 smaller (about 200x200ft) Portland-sized blocks. Which is completely doable, as the two blocks together measure about 1300x675ft. Between these new blocks could run small pedestrian-only brick streets (think Wall St.). Then the three center blocks become a park as some park space is needed in this part of town. Immediately surrounding this park you could put 4-8 floor apartment buildings. Commercial and residential buildings of varying size and height, plus parking garages could fill in the streetscape around Orange, Rosalind, Colonial, Amelia, and Concord.

I photoshopped an illustration to show what I'm talking about.

[JFW657]

Has The Sentinel announced where they plan to move?

Orlando Central Park, I'm guessing.

 

[smonteserin]

What if this became part Orlando Central Park and the grounds for the eventual relocation of the Orlando Museum of Art?  They had announced a hopeful move to the core of the city and it might serve as a striking visual entry point into downtown from the north. 

[Boomer136]

I believe the Sentinel wants to keep at least one of their buildings, but the south section would be great for the museum. Next to a daytime only parking garage for event parking and an easy walk from Lynx/Sunrail. Especially as the museum wants an architecturally significant building might really spur other projects in the area.

[prahaboheme]

Great news for Pine Street and finally a 24 hour diner downtown: http://m.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2016/02/05/exclusive-new-24-hour-diner-coming-to-former-zilly.html

[John Hargrove]

13 hours ago, prahaboheme said:

Great news for Pine Street and finally a 24 hour diner downtown: http://m.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2016/02/05/exclusive-new-24-hour-diner-coming-to-former-zilly.html

Definitely excited about this one. It is needed.

 

[mcn11]

Great news for Pine Street and finally a 24 hour diner downtown: http://m.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2016/02/05/exclusive-new-24-hour-diner-coming-to-former-zilly.html

Based on their Instagram posts, it looks like joysticks may be close to finishing the buildout and close to opening. Should be a nice change of pace for downtown bars and could draw a crowd that doesn't normally go out downtown.

[John Hargrove]

41 minutes ago, mcn11 said:

Based on their Instagram posts, it looks like joysticks may be close to finishing the buildout and close to opening. Should be a nice change of pace for downtown bars and could draw a crowd that doesn't normally go out downtown.

Looking forward to both of these businesses opening. I do hope it draws a new crowd downtown ... 

[Universe_Explorer]

On ‎2‎/‎6‎/‎2016 at 2:37 PM, prahaboheme said:

Great news for Pine Street and finally a 24 hour diner downtown: http://m.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2016/02/05/exclusive-new-24-hour-diner-coming-to-former-zilly.html

When I moved here from NYC, this is one thing that was desperately missing from Orlando.  Glad the gap is being filled - I hope they don't try to be too fancy or modern and keep with a traditional diner feel/price point.  Sometimes the Orlando "version" of things tries too hard to reinvent the wheel 

[HankStrong]

3 hours ago, mcn11 said:

could draw a crowd that doesn't normally go outside.

FTFY

[John Hargrove]

7 hours ago, Universe_Explorer said:

When I moved here from NYC, this is one thing that was desperately missing from Orlando.  Glad the gap is being filled - I hope they don't try to be too fancy or modern and keep with a traditional diner feel/price point.  Sometimes the Orlando "version" of things tries too hard to reinvent the wheel 

I have that concern as well. Diner food is diner food. And its amazing. Don't mess it up. It needn't be fancy.

[prahaboheme]

The description for the Red Mug is a 50s era diner.

[John Hargrove]

1 hour ago, prahaboheme said:

The description for the Red Mug is a 50s era diner.

"... with a modern twist."

He added that Red Mug Diner will have a 1950s vibe with a modern twist.

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2016/02/05/exclusive-new-24-hour-diner-coming-to-former-zilly.html

[Pete C]

I think the owners being bar owners are just going to stick to the classics. Traditional diner food in a funky space.

The 24-hour diner will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with a menu of comfort food classics such as omelets, biscuits and gravy, and pancakes for breakfast to meatloaf, chicken pot pie and shepherd’s pie for dinner.

[sunshine]

Not sure where the thread about Robinson bike trail....

Ideally, this would be the safest way to put a bike trail.

[Jernigan]

From the February ARB agenda - a strip on Magnolia is being renovated to include a 2nd floor balcony.  Dramatic difference.  

http://www.cityoforlando.net/city-planning/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2016/02/ARB2016-00003report.pdf

[JFW657]

That will be a huge improvement.

Pretty tacky looking right now.

 

[RedStar25]

Nice! 

On another note, I hope the lack of news and update this month is the quiet before a storm of development. 

[AndyPok1]

I haven't gone through the MPB or ARBs yet for this month, but any idea what's happening on Jefferson/Orange?  Have that whole ugly parking lot fenced off.

[Jernigan]

Which corner?

[prahaboheme]

11 hours ago, JFW657 said:

That will be a huge improvement.

Pretty tacky looking right now.

 

I've long thought that our downtown buildings should have balconies.  It has historic precedence and functional with our weather.

[John Hargrove]

51 minutes ago, AndyPok1 said:

I haven't gone through the MPB or ARBs yet for this month, but any idea what's happening on Jefferson/Orange?  Have that whole ugly parking lot fenced off.

Weren't they demoing something in that lot? I have vague memories of that. 

[AndyPok1]

1 hour ago, Jernigan said:

Which corner?

Northwest (Street View attached, I can grab a picture later this week).  I'm not sure what they could be demoing.  Unless it's just more prep for the "drive thru" restaurant that no one seems to be interested in leasing.

[John Hargrove]

On 12/4/2014 at 10:18 PM, JFW657 said:

 

That's a highrise.

 

 

You sure you have the right intersection?

 

^ -- that's what I was remembering.

[JFW657]

11 hours ago, AndyPok1 said:

Northwest (Street View attached, I can grab a picture later this week).  I'm not sure what they could be demoing.  Unless it's just more prep for the "drive thru" restaurant that no one seems to be interested in leasing.

Good spot for a parking garage.

Then put another attached tower in that grass lot on the other side where the vault building used to be.