Other Metro Area Projects

[JFW657]

Probably destined to become another indoor "flea market".

[klstorey]

Probably destined to become another indoor "flea market".

 

Hopefully this one will actually have a pizza parlor and not just an empty promise of one.

[klstorey]

Not sure why Winter Park doesn't have their own board at this point or if they do not sure why its not being updated enough to make the front page of the Orlando site. 7 major projects in the city is more than enough for its own board IMHO but in the meantime here is some info on Jewett's new medical office building proposal.

• new 2-story, 25,000 sq ft medical office building at the corner of Orange Avenue and Oak Place.  
• medical offices and an ambulatory surgery center to be in building.  
• single story building currently on site will be demo’d
• also being demo’d is two single family homes on 930 and 950 Minnesota Avenue for a new 72 space parking lot.
• wall was proposed along Minnesota but residents requested a landscaped buffer instead citing safety concerns.

[Ocityst]

Construction to start in the fall on Element by Westin at Orlando Fashion Square mall

[neoanderz]

the most recent renderings of the Fashion Square mall redevelopment show a REI (new to Orlando), a Whole Foods (probably replacing the old one in Winter Park)  and a Super Target (which means the one across the street whole relocate)

 

Hopefully these come to fruition and would be great !

 

This is pretty crazy if it's true.  So Fashion Square would be getting a trendy hotel, bowling alley/game place, "Fashion Square Sports Club", Whole Foods, and Super Target, plus some chain restaurants and other stuff???  I really wish we had some more details here about what is certain.

[scottggilbertREALTOR]

Calls to UP Development indicate the REI / Whole Foods were mistakenly included with Fashion Square --- instead they are part of a proposed new development in WP - that makes more sense - but where in WP I would love to know... Also Target owns the Colonial and Maguire site -- they make a lot of profit that way and that makes me think they won't be moving across the street. But overall great changes for good old Fashion Square ;-)

[nite owℓ]

That's too bad... The downtown area could really use a health food store. At least Publix makes an effort to carry organic/all natural items.

[Ocityst]

That's too bad... The downtown area could really use a health food store. At least Publix makes an effort to carry organic/all natural items.

Won't be long before Fresh Market at MP is up and serving the DT area. 

[FLClarkKent]

That is disappointing. I think a Whole Foods would be a catalyst for changing people's perceptions of Fashion Square.

[Jernigan]

Possibly Radavauge?

[popsiclebrandon]

Possibly Radavauge?

Would like to see that just to see how them and Trader Joes would do that close to each other.

[Pete C]

TJ's and Whole Foods can co-exist near each other. In fact TJ usually targets areas with a WF nearby. Don't know if you've been to one, but TJ's has a much smaller produce section, no deli, no fresh seafood, limited meats, and is more niche overall than WF. You can't really do ALL your shopping at TJ's since they don't have everything. What they do have is really unique and great though.

Glad to see REI coming to WP. The K-mart shopping plaza across from Ravaudage was recently bought out so it may be completely redeveloped. So much happening in WP!

Edited June 16, 2013 by Pete C

[truebluecfl]

The Plaza on University project is going up pretty quick now. Better look good after destroying UCF students most worshiped Plaza... 

[popsiclebrandon]

The Plaza on University project is going up pretty quick now. Better look good after destroying UCF students most worshiped Plaza... 

Yeah was out there today scouting out next location and it looks promising so far. Interested to see how much of a draw the apartments will be compared to the ridiculous amenities of the other new places.

[aent]

Yeah was out there today scouting out next location and it looks promising so far. Interested to see how much of a draw the apartments will be compared to the ridiculous amenities of the other new places.

Its going to be the absolute easiest place to be able to walk to campus too, without even a bike, its gonna do well. NorthView on McCulloch is finishing up as well, really changes the landscape there as well.

[JFW657]

The Walmart Neighborhood Market at Orange & Michigan opened for business this morning.

 

Patty Sheehan & Mable Butler were there for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

 

Pretty nice store.

 

Nice addition to the area & a vast improvement over what was there.

[sunshine]

I guess a new LA fitness is coming

 

[bulldogger]

I miss JB's.

[spenser1058]

Winter Garden hopes new garage will solve parking problems downtown

 

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/os-winter-garden-parking-problems-20130708,0,1077350.story

 

So... how to build a parking garage that doesn't look like a parking garage? I'm guessing angled parking will soon be an endangered species as well.   All in all, a nice problem to have for The Little Town That Could.

Edited July 9, 2013 by spenser1058

[prahaboheme]

Interesting thing about angled parking...Kissimmee is actually moving forward with a plan to rip up its 4-lane main thoroughfare (Broadway) to put in a narrower 2-lane brick street with angled parking, and wider sidewalks.  They are also replacing 4-way intersections with roundabouts; not a novel concept but considering the traffic volume on this particular street (1792/OBT), it may be the first of its kind in Central Florida.  

[spenser1058]

Interesting thing about angled parking...Kissimmee is actually moving forward with a plan to rip up its 4-lane main thoroughfare (Broadway) to put in a narrower 2-lane brick street with angled parking, and wider sidewalks.  They are also replacing 4-way intersections with roundabouts; not a novel concept but considering the traffic volume on this particular street (1792/OBT), it may be the first of its kind in Central Florida.  

 

praha, what kind of activity is Kissimmee getting downtown these days? Is it busy after the courthouse closes? With everything they're doing down there, I need to wander down that way. While I can ride to WG on the bike pretty easily and stay off the highways, I don't know of a really good way to get down to Kissimmee so I haven't. I may have to make a day of it and check out Gatorland and take the Tupperware tour on the way! (I wonder if they still give you free salt & pepper shakers...)

[prahaboheme]

Downtown Kissimmee is certainly behind WG in the revitalization bandwagon, but with good bones and an active downtown community, things are on an upward trend.  

 

A couple things to note:

 

1) About 5 years ago the Kissimmee City Centre (http://www.citycentredowntown.com/) development opened and really changed the face of downtown - several restaurants / bars opened, creating a more vibrant nightlife.  It brought condo living to downtown Kissimmee and spurred renovation of surrounding buildings.  The area has really seen a face lift.  The Kissimmee CRA has awarded facade grants to historic properties, which has spurred further renovation of the area homes in the CRA district -- this very likely saved a few Queen Anne's and Victorians from the wrecking ball.

 

2) Meanwhile, the city has been busy converting downtown streets from asphalt to brick, including attractive streetscaping. The city applied for a Tiger iii grant for the Broadway Street redesign (mentioned above); they were passed over by the Obama administration likely because Orlando won a Tiger grant for Lymmo expansion.  It's good to see they are moving forward with this fantastic plan regardless:  http://www.metroplanorlando.com/files/view/tigeriii_kissimmee_tigeriigrantapp.pdf

 

3) The city has also undertaken a $20 million renovation / redesign of the Lakefront (3 phase project; phase 2 just finished).  If you remember the Kissimmee Lakefront from about 5 years ago, you will not recognize it.  We are talking about a major renovation of high quality (all the more impressive that this is Kissimmee we are talking about).    Some recent photos here:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.525363057499285.1073741836.257978124237781&type=1

 

Let's just say this lake park expansion puts Lake Eola's to shame.

 

4) Kissimmee is currently building an intermodal center downtown which will centralize Amtrak, SunRail, and Lynx at one downtown location.  Currently the Osceola Lynx terminal is over by the Osceola Square Mall.  This will bring hundreds (maybe thousands, on a good day) of new people into the heart of Kissimmee.

 

Time will tell if all this upfront public investment will bring in private development -- I'm hopeful.

Edited July 10, 2013 by prahaboheme

[spenser1058]

CNL contracts to buy Mt. Vernon Inn

 

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-07-07/business/os-cfb-real-estate-0708-20130707_1_landlord-lease-new-office

 

This has been rumored for a while (almost since the end of the long-running act at the Red Fox Lounge!) but we finally have some confirmation. There have been numerous additions to the property over the years (it opened in 1949, making it a landmark by Orlando standards - another one bites the dust) so whatever goes here will have a good bit of space to work with.

[klstorey]

I recall reading somewhere, I want to say in a city document (possibly the 'looking ahead' report that they do each quarter with the city commissioners), that Winter Park is working with an undisclosed developer on a joint parking plan with the civic center.  That's directly across from Mt Vernon Inn.  MLK Park just broke ground on its update as well.  It should also be noted that this little hotel is important with major ties to Disney's announcement of coming here and has had its own fair share of famous people staying there. (I've personally met Amanda Bearse at Red Fox on a number of occasions.)

 

I'm waiting for most of these smaller buildings along 17/92 to go the way of the wrecking ball within this decade.  

 

The area between Fairbanks, Denning, and 17/92 is getting lots of construction over the next few months. We should see it start to shift from mostly residential to commercial over the next few years.  

 

And as Fairbanks wraps up and the zoning updated we should start to see most of those small one story buildings making way for larger multi-story buildings.

Interesting thing about angled parking...Kissimmee is actually moving forward with a plan to rip up its 4-lane main thoroughfare (Broadway) to put in a narrower 2-lane brick street with angled parking, and wider sidewalks.  They are also replacing 4-way intersections with roundabouts; not a novel concept but considering the traffic volume on this particular street (1792/OBT), it may be the first of its kind in Central Florida.  

 

Reminds me of the long history of downtown Eustis.  It remolded its downtown to add angled parking and one way streets, then remodeled again to take it all out. It's adding roundabouts all over the city now, even on random side streets. 

[klstorey]

CNL contracts to buy Mt. Vernon Inn

 

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-07-07/business/os-cfb-real-estate-0708-20130707_1_landlord-lease-new-office

 

This has been rumored for a while (almost since the end of the long-running act at the Red Fox Lounge!) but we finally have some confirmation. There have been numerous additions to the property over the years (it opened in 1949, making it a landmark by Orlando standards - another one bites the dust) so whatever goes here will have a good bit of space to work with.

 

 

In the June 8th Winter Park Commissioners Meeting: 

 

On June 10, 2013, the Commission requested information from staff regarding three different redevelopment opportunities that are under consideration within the downtown corridor of Winter Park. 

 

Commissioner Cooper felt that these items should not be discussed since there was no public notification provided and asked for legal input. Attorney Brown stated that these discussions are political and not quasi-judicial. He said they are not legally prejudicing the process if they talk about the concepts today and what they would like to see happen because the subsidiary boards have to perform their quasi-judicial role in a neutral and bias manner. 

 

In response, CRA Director Dori Stone provided a brief update regarding the expansion and redevelopment of multi-purpose fields at the City’s Martin Luther King Park; the redevelopment of Harper Shepard Baseball Stadium by Rollins College; and the Orlando Avenue property redevelopment concept/potential partnership to use public parking at the Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center parking lot.

Ms. Stone answered questions. 

 

Commissioner Leary addressed the need to consider all of these projects at once since most of the potential redevelopment projects relate to City owned property and/or other properties that require the City to participate in some way. He explained that several of these potential projects are happening in one confined area and that it would be more beneficial if they would take a step back and look at things such as traffic patterns, parking constraints, the impact on local neighborhoods and how each of the projects tie into the City’s visioning process. 

They can then determine if it is in the City’s best interest whether to move forward or not. Ms. Stone acknowledged. 

 

and from the minutes of the June 10th City Commissioners meeting:

 

Commissioner Leary spoke about the Mount Vernon site redevelopment 

 

And the audio files from that meeting.  Leary begins speaking at 31:55.  Notes that a site redevelopment is scheduled for July 22, also states that the hotel site redevelopment could impact the lacrosse stadium (uh any know about this? I'm finding stuff on a softball stadium but not a lacrosse one), and that these will all bring 'major traffic' to the area.  Discussion of a joint session with P&Z put up.  Leary also mentions that the baseball stadium is being redeveloped in its current footprint.

Edited July 11, 2013 by klstorey