bobbarker

I would venture to guess because I-Drive is the tourist district and a gigantic Ferris Wheel would be a sort of an attraction for tourists.

For decent American-Style Chinese I usually go to Jum-Bo's in the Whole Food's plaza on Aloma. They have been there for like 25 years and their food is consistently very good. If you like Thai, try The Thai Place in the K-Mart shopping center across the street from the Winter Park Village.

You have to dig. Link

This opened up on Thursday. The Grand Opening is this Saturday. It's freaking awesome, blows ABC away. They have a ton of different wines, beers, liquor, and best of all- their prices are the lowest I've seen. Definitely worth checking out.

36 Hours in Orlando, FL- New York Times

Maybe it will be blown up for the next Lethal Weapon movie.

OK, that makes MUCH more sense. I try to avoid that mess of a road if it all possible.

Not densely settled? Are we talking about the same road? 436 is lined with businesses from the Airport to well past 434. I'm all for foresight, but it would be like turning 17-92 into an expressway.

While it would be convenient, it would also force hundreds of businesses to close and put tens of thousands of people out of jobs. I am afraid to even fathom how much this would cost.

I think it's pretty fugly. I don't like the colors they chose, and the stone facade really bugs me. Something about it just doesn't look right. Anyone else know what I'm talking about?

I believe he was elected to do exactly that.

How so?

The Ale House on University or Smokey Bones on Colonial are probably your best bet.

Nice. I live right around the corner and have always wondered why there wasn't a liquor store any closer. Thanks for the info.

The furniture store is getting demolished to make way for a bank. I don't know about the Just for Feet, but I am hoping for a Blockbuster.

I don't think anybody is using the possibility of getting an NFL team as a reason to revamp the Citrus Bowl. It is more an effort to keep the bowl games we have, and possibly get a BCS bowl in the future or other Conference Championship games. This renovation will do more than add windows, it will add club seats and more luxury suites, which bring in more revenue, thus making it a more desirable venue. It will also get rid of those hated urinal troughs and provide better vending areas. The Citrus Bowl can be used as a Soccer Stadium, it was used in the World Cup back in the 90's. If MLS wanted to expand into Orlando, the Citrus Bowl could most definitely be used for this. It would make absolutely no sense to tear down the Citrus Bowl and build a SSS.

I've been reading his articles and blog posts religiously for about 3 months now, and believe me I don't agree with giving handouts to billionaires either. My problem is with Scott Maxwell's unwillingness to say absolutely anything positive about the new arena and Citrus Bowl renovations. His extremely critical of anything having to do either of the projects. I am in no way defending DeVoss, but he is putting out some cash for this and is working with the city and county to get the arena built. Do I think he should give more? Of course, in an ideal world he would be footing the bill for the whole thing. We know that isn't going to happen, so I would want them to pay their fair share. That Magic number for Scott Maxwell is at least $120 million- 25% of the total costs. According to his article today, he said $62 million, or 13% will be in up front cash (a week ago he was saying they were only offering $30 million, than Friday the "final number" was $50 million). Then another $10 million to the PAC. The rest, he says, isn't clear because it will be paid in operating expenses and concession/naming rights deals which have yet to be worked out. They co-signed a $100 million loan which doesn't count for anything. He doesn't even mention they will pay for any cost overrun. The article doesn't really say anything other than "the Magic are paying more than what I said they would, but the deal isn't done yet so they are still ripping you off." He also doesn't really discuss the Citrus Bowl in this article, although I am not sure why. Thomas and him usually take a pot shot at Monster Truck rally field any chance they get. I guess they dropped the price tag enough to get them to stop. I am just tired of what seems (to me anyways) to be an attitude that the sports venues are not important enough for this city to really invest in. Thomas and Maxwell both support the PAC like it will turn Orlando from Pohdunkville into a truly cultured city, whereas the arena and Citrus Bowls are wastes of money because one is a Rich Man's Money Machine and the other is for three football games and a redneck gathering.

I can't stand Scott Maxwell. I read his columns and blogs daily, and I have never once heard the guy say anything positive about anything, ever. I am all for the Magic paying their fair share, but between him and Mike Thomas you would think Rich DeVoss is going around snatching old ladies purses. They are all for a PAC that is projected to run millions in the red annually, by optimistic estimates, yet dead set against the two projects that will actually make money (unless I am completely misled, if so, someone please correct me). I just get the overwhelming impression that they are pandering to the whole "Don't give handouts to billionaires/The Magic suck let's run'em off" crowd that seem so vocal, without giving any consideration to the impact these projects will have on the image of this town. Sorry to rant for my first post, but he is starting to drive me crazy.