Other Metro Area Projects

[prahaboheme]

You are absolutely right -- how could I have forgotten Rockefeller Center.

[spenser1058]

From today's Sentinel:

The Disney Entrepreneur Center is considering leaving its downtown offices when its lease expires in April, and one of the options on the table is moving to the Orlando Fashion Square.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-disney-entrepreneur-center-move-20100804,0,4946423.story

My only question is if OFS is turning into an office building by taking this, do we get some of Fashion Square's retail downtown to replace it? Seems only fair.

Edited August 5, 2010 by spenser1058

[Jernigan]

Well, dang!

Fashion Square Mall is retrofitting itself before our very eyes. I'm impressed and borderline speechless. I love the approach. The problem with the mall isn't the building - the problem is it's a shopping mall which is no longer something that society values for numerous reasons. The 2nd problem is the parking which could be solved through development that brings the surrounding communities closer to what could be a true "city center"/indoor public realm.

[prahaboheme]

Winter Park Community Center under construction:

Project website: Schenkel Shultz

Biz Journal Article: My link

[mgsports]

Some of the Taco Bells are going to get Rebuilt.

Would like to see a Minor League Baseball Stadium or even Event Center for a Minor League Hockey Team in Seminole County because Orlando has bought the Tampa Bay Yankees.

[Jernigan]

A bar called "Mr. Sisters" is opening up on Lake Barton (South side of 50 just west of 436)

I guess I have to go on the record as being wrong when I said that the overpass would kill economic development in the area.....

[prahaboheme]

It appears Cajun is all the rage these days... here

[cwetteland]

Does anyone know what is being built on the recently cleared site on Howell Branch Rd, a few hundred yards north of Aloma? And if you have renderings ... cool.

[DeepEyez]

$500 million simulation cluster in the works

Missy Casscells-Hamby and brother Ward Casscells plan to build a massive high-tech simulation cluster in Seminole County during the next 10 years, with construction starting next year.

The co-founders of the 7-month-old Seminole Science & Simulation Consortium envision creating a 10 million-square-foot simulation campus in Winter Springs on 200-plus acres owned by the Casscells family that could house and employ thousands.

“Our goal is to build something that can promote business partnerships and create high-tech jobs,” said Casscells-Hamby.

Read more: $500 million simulation cluster in the works {sodEmoji.|} Orlando Business Journal

Seminole Science & Simulation Consortium

Edited November 14, 2010 by DeepEyez

[prahaboheme]

Kissimmee 192/Vine Street Corridor Redevelopment:

The Vine Street/US 192 Corridor is the primary spine through the City of Kissimmee. It provides regional transportation access, generates a strong economic base for the city, and contributes to the overall image of Kissimmee. Regional competition, shifting demographics and the absence of a “game plan” are factors that have contributed to the corridor’s economic and aesthetic decline in recent years. Reversing this trend and revitalizing the corridor are key goals of the City.

The vision for the Vine Street corridor is to transform the existing strip-style, highway commercial development into a connected series of mixed-use, urban scale neighborhoods and villages. This vision is predicated on implementing a multi-modal transportation strategy for the corridor and the adjacent downtown CRA which promotes walking, biking, shorter auto trips, and the provision of various forms of transit. This vision is focused on several community design and economic development goals including:

• Creating compact, high density, mixed-use urban-style development patterns that promote walkable, pedestrian-friendly public spaces

• Attracting new investment including more diverse housing options, new retail and light industrial/flex office space and professional offices

• Enhancing mobility for pedestrians, bicyclists, cars and transit through improvements in street network connectivity

• Implementing strong urban design techniques and streetscape features focused on the principles of placemaking and livability

• Creating development patterns in support of future premium transit service (i.e. bus rapid transit, bus circulators and connections to commuter rail) through a strong mixture of land uses and densities

These goals provide the framework for transforming the linear, auto dominated corridor into a series of cohesive, unique villages and neighborhoods that are strongly connected to downtown and other community focal points.

Here is the redevelopment plan (which includes dedicated BRT lanes): The Vision

More here: Redevelop Vine Street

Edited November 14, 2010 by prahaboheme

[aent]

There isn't currently any simulation in that area is there? seems like pretty poor placement, it should at the very least go somewhere in the corridor from UCF area to Lake Nona or even by the convention center if its not towards downtown from any of those sites... building it north of everything else in that industry, especially with Innovation Way sitting empty the way it is, seems a bit crazy...

$500 million simulation cluster in the works

Missy Casscells-Hamby and brother Ward Casscells plan to build a massive high-tech simulation cluster in Seminole County during the next 10 years, with construction starting next year.

The co-founders of the 7-month-old Seminole Science & Simulation Consortium envision creating a 10 million-square-foot simulation campus in Winter Springs on 200-plus acres owned by the Casscells family that could house and employ thousands.

“Our goal is to build something that can promote business partnerships and create high-tech jobs,” said Casscells-Hamby.

Read more: $500 million simulation cluster in the works {sodEmoji.|} Orlando Business Journal

Seminole Science & Simulation Consortium

[cwetteland]

There isn't currently any simulation in that area is there? seems like pretty poor placement, it should at the very least go somewhere in the corridor from UCF area to Lake Nona or even by the convention center if its not towards downtown from any of those sites... building it north of everything else in that industry, especially with Innovation Way sitting empty the way it is, seems a bit crazy...

Not really. Just because Crotty thought Innovation Way was a way to bring much needed sprawl to SE Orange County, doesn't mean that other counties won't want their fair share of that sprawl. This isn't out of nowhere. UCF has a technology incubator facility in Winter Springs and has already spun off several high-tech private companies there. The incubator is a partnership between UCF, Seminole County Government, the City of Winter Springs and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.

Just like Travistock (and their land donation) is the reason why Medical City is at Lake Nona, the Casscells family land is part of a major bid (think Burnham) where UCF, Seminole County and several semiconductor giants have teamed to compete with other cities for a big government/private innovation center.

Similarly, UCF just last year was given a 100,000 sqft semiconductor manufacturing facility in Brevard, including land, fabrication equipment and an operating budget for 3 years by Intersil (a $13 mil gift). UCF is jumping on semiconductors big time and expanding their community high-tech reach. This consortium has a good chance of winning a big prize in Winter Springs.

[DeepEyez]

Not really. Just because Crotty thought Innovation Way was a way to bring much needed sprawl to SE Orange County, doesn't mean that other counties won't want their fair share of that sprawl. This isn't out of nowhere. UCF has a technology incubator facility in Winter Springs and has already spun off several high-tech private companies there. The incubator is a partnership between UCF, Seminole County Government, the City of Winter Springs and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.

Just like Travistock (and their land donation) is the reason why Medical City is at Lake Nona, the Casscells family land is part of a major bid (think Burnham) where UCF, Seminole County and several semiconductor giants have teamed to compete with other cities for a big government/private innovation center.

Similarly, UCF just last year was given a 100,000 sqft semiconductor manufacturing facility in Brevard, including land, fabrication equipment and an operating budget for 3 years by Intersil (a $13 mil gift). UCF is jumping on semiconductors big time and expanding their community high-tech reach. This consortium has a good chance of winning a big prize in Winter Springs.

Is it possible for UCF to be a leader in high tech at this stage in the game as opposed to what is happening in Silicon Valley and Pittsburgh? Wouldn't there need to be more schools involved to truly spark the clustering they are hoping for?

[prahaboheme]

That seems reasonable. It actually suprises me that Rollins and Stetson have not jumped on board with simulation technology and computer science given the metro market (perhaps they have and I haven't heard about this). Don't be surpised to hear that UF gets in the mix.

[DeepEyez]

That seems reasonable. It actually suprises me that Rollins and Stetson have not jumped on board with simulation technology and computer science given the metro market (perhaps they have and I haven't heard about this). Don't be surpised to hear that UF gets in the mix.

I'm actually disappointed in whatever that they do within the Central Florida community because their presence is nonexistent. I hope in the midst of all this technological investment, Florida Tech steps up.

[DeepEyez]

ESPN and Full Sail University Unveil New Full Sail University Sports Lab Powered by ESPN

As of today, innovation has a new home in Winter Park, Fla. ESPN and Full Sail University debuted the new Full Sail University Sports Lab Powered by ESPN. ESPN will utilize this state-of-the-art facility for research and development of various new studio and remote technologies. This will be ESPN’s first and only sports technology lab at any Florida college or university.

“ESPN has long been an industry leader in utilizing cutting-edge technology to bring fans the best content,” said Anthony Bailey, vice president, emerging technology, ESPN. “The energy and creativity the students and staff at Full Sail University will bring to this facility make this a natural location for this lab and will help us develop new tools to provide fans the best on-air coverage of sports.”

ESPN partners with Full Sail

[prahaboheme]

The never-ending SuperChannel 55 tower in the news again: Orlando Sentinel

[bic]

New Hotel Set for Darden Restaurants Property

[DeepEyez]

The business behind UCF basketball

UCF basketball's historic first appearance in the Top 25 this week is more than a source of bragging rights for the team, its boosters and fans.

The national ranking couldn't come at a better time for the business behind the basketball.

The University of Central Florida's home court is the centerpiece of the largest construction project in the school's history: a $242 million development that includes the 10,000-seat arena, retail shops, student housing and a parking garage.

The complex opened in the fall of 2007, just before the worst recession since World War II got under way.

As a result, the economy has taken its toll on the town-like social center near the school's new football stadium. High turnover and empty storefronts plague the retail space. The pull-back in consumer spending has slowed ticket sales and concession revenue for concerts and other events. And a naming-rights deal for the arena itself — projected before the start of construction to be worth $250,000 a year — never materialized.

http://www.orlandose...,7214474.column

Edited December 22, 2010 by DeepEyez

[prahaboheme]

Osceola Regional Medical Center Expansion in Kissimmee, new tower designed by HOK (no rendering): http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/print-edition/2010/12/24/osceola-regional-plans-50m-tower.html

[prahaboheme]

In town for the holiday and was able to drive down to Kissimmee and snap a few shots of the ongoing redevelopment of the Kissimmee Lakefront district and some of the recent downtown infill -- all and all downtown Kissimmee is really shaping up.

Loving the roundabouts.

The largest infill project in Kissimmee in recent years is the Kissimmee City Center (pictured below). A mixed use block featuring condos, restaurants/bars, office space, and a spruced up streetscape. This is probably the largest Central Florida downtown infill project outside of downtown Orlando:

New Courthouse square area:

Future SunRail stop:

Edited December 27, 2010 by prahaboheme

[alex]

Great pics! I like the roundabouts, too (better than ones with stop signs that defeat the whole purpose). Looks like the area has a lot of potential.

[bulldogger]

This just in at the Sentinel...

Rollins receives $12.5 million to build hotel

They plan on opening by 2013.

Edited January 6, 2011 by bulldogger

[prahaboheme]

Good new for Rollins, though I wish Winter Park had preserved the Langford Hotel on this property -- that was a really neat spot.

[prahaboheme]

The centerpiece of Kissimmee's Lakefront Park redevelopment will be a public artwork piece and the winning bid came in from artist Jefre Manuel. It is a 30 foot cube shaped fountain called "Rain" -- and as one of the commmenters suggests, this is perhaps better than the Lake Eola fountain. In fact, this has the potential to outdo pretty much anything we've seen (public art wise) in the Central Florida area. It reminds me a bit of something you'd see in Millenium Park in Chicago.

Orlando Weekly Article