FLClarkKent

I’ll believe it when I see it.

The city is moving forward with plans to purchase four properties downtown. https://bungalower.com/2024/03/11/city-council-approves-cra-purchase-of-four-downtown-properties/

Some interesting moves by the downtown CRA to purchase several properties in the city core. https://bungalower.com/2024/02/26/orlandos-cra-to-vote-on-purchasing-four-downtown-properties-this-week/

Obviously I’m in the wrong line of work. Need to get into the “professional urban planner” gig to take advantage of that sweet municipal cash that gets handed out for proposals like this. As someone else here noted, if this is going to continue to be used for parking, just stick a few basketball courts and a skate park down there and call it a day. Use the funds you would have spent to help revive the business on Church Street and around the soccer stadium (the intent of under I4 was to bridge the barrier between the eastern and western parts of the city core… but if the businesses are barely hanging on, that becomes besides the point). Also, really, really love that we’re paying homage to the importance of the city’s tree canopy with fake trees under a multi-lane highway while the city itself continues to destroy the canopy with its policy of replacing shade trees with crepe myrtles and palms. Chef’s kiss, Orlando.

We binged watch all seasons of the Netflix foodie/travel documentary series “Somebody Feed Phil” during the pandemic. It’s created by and stars the effusive and always positive Phil Rosenthal, who was a co-creator of “Everybody Lives Raymond.” He travels from city to city, and showcases great local chefs and restaurants, and generally cool things about the city. Great news for us is that Orlando will be a featured episode next season. Very cool! https://tastychomps.com/2023/06/orlando-feeds-phil-netflix-somebody-feed-phil-visits-orlando-for-season-7-set-to-premiere-january-2024.html

$400 M would also get you well on the way to 7-day per week SunRail service (including holidays), and possibly the start of an East/West route.

$32 is surprisingly steep. Was at Logan in Boston recently. Their garage rate was crazy high ($60 or so for first day, steps down a bit for each subsequent day). But you can reserve in advance for only $25 per day. (They also have this weird thing called “mass transit” where you can get to the airport by subway, bus, and ferry. No parking required. What’ll they think of next!)

I appreciate the design and am glad a somewhat blighted area is being rejuvenated, but, man, this seems like another car-centric, suburban development (Lake Nona, 2.0).

Did these “art pieces” replace the benches on that corner?

If memory serves, there was a string of car versus train accidents throughout the early days/months/years of SunRail. All of which prompted a series of “watch out for trains” PSAs. Unfortunately it seems there has to be a learning curve in our area when it comes to motorist learning how safely deal with increased train service.

Congrats to whoever predicted Kia. Introducing the Kia Center. A big upgrade, IMO.https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/12/20/new-name-appears-on-side-of-amway-center-big-announcement-coming-soon/

It will also pull consumers from other establishments in DTO. The old Church Street Station seems to be hanging on by a thread.

Yep, that’s their business model. Fine when everything works (plane, weather, etc.) but a real crapshoot if something goes wrong.

I recall that they publicly blamed the fees, but that they also received a lot of pushback from customers who didn’t want to have to go through the hassle of traveling through MCO (versus the relative ease of SFB). Many folks, myself included, would rather have a longer drive to a less crowded airport than vice versa. And it’s that relative ease (smaller airports, direct flights) that’s the main benefit of Allegiant. It’s not like you choose to fly them for their luxury seats or award winning customer service. It’s no frills / no fun travel. They practically make you get out and push the plane to the gate these days (and charge you a fee for the privilege). That being said, SFB was pretty hopping the last time I was there. Not overwhelmed, but close. And they just don’t have much in the way of amenities (food, beverage, etc.), pre or post security. That new wing has a good court, but it’s never open.

I think the new rendering looks nice enough, but…. One of the biggest negatives I have about the Citrus Bowl is getting to the Citrus Bowl. The traffic is terrible. The parking is terrible. There’s no effective public transportation (like a Lymmo line), and coming from DTO, it’s not an inviting walk, particularly at night. I wish improvements were being made in these area (pre and post Citrus Bowl experience). Having the facility more connected to downtown would be a huge boon all around. I also hope these plans include a significant A/V upgrade, particular when it comes to sound. The last few concerts I attended there, the sound was pretty bad.

It’s always interesting seeing a city with its convention center in its downtown. Was at an event recently in Providence, RI (not exactly a tourist hot spot), and its downtown was hopping. Tons of restaurants and retail, and a short hop to Boston on the commuter train. DTO would greatly benefit from a larger conference space (like the old Expo center) or a decent sized conference hotel. It would never compete with the OCCC, but even smaller events, expos, cons, etc. could bring in some additional traffic.

The temporary lane reduction from several years ago included only the area between Bumby and Crystal Lake. But the reaction was overwhelmingly negative from what I can recall, so I don’t that happening in the foreseeable future. It’s a shame, too, because I think it could have been a positive catalyst for that part of town.

And man did people in the neighborhood gripe and moan when they did the temporary bike lane / lane removal program. Curry Ford will never be pedestrian friendly.

I think CV will pick up speed with every passing post-COVID year. But it’s going to take a few years to reach its full potential. It’s hard to overstate the impact of COVID on DTO. Our office traffic was already somewhat light (compared to other cities), but feels nearly non existent now. Hence, the whole area feels out of balance (daytime activity versus evening activity).

Since Boston keeps getting mentioned, one thing I’ve noticed here that would really benefit DTO is the availability of daytime shelters. There are several here, all with great services and programming.

You’re correct on the relocation of encampments versus individual homeless folks. Interestingly the latest proposal is to re-open a treatment facility on one of the islands in the harbor (which was shuttered a few years ago) and move the encamped at Mass/Cass there. Will wait and see what happens there. Aside from the random beat downs by teenage youths, DTB is pretty safe!

I think the original poster is relying on his/her personal perspective of the homeless issue in DTO. And just like the topic of crime, it’s one’s perspective that shapes our opinion and feelings about these matters. I don’t often agree with the poster, but my perspective on the matter is similar and after relocating to Boston, I think I now understand why. Boston clearly has a larger number of unhoused folks, I have no doubt. But it also has a massive amount of everyone else in all areas of its core. The homeless are there, in greater numbers than Orlando, but there are so many more people on the street (going to work, going home, going to restaurants, etc) that the issue just feels so much smaller. It shifts your perspective. It often feels the opposite in Orlando, since foot traffic can be light in certain parts of DTO on any given day.

I’ll be curious to see the ridership numbers this time next year, after the novelty of Brightline wears off. I have doubts about the business model (but will be happy to be proven wrong).

D’oh! Get ‘em confused.