FLClarkKent

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.

Totally agree that the ‘hoods around the CBD of DTO are vibrant- but pull away dining/retail from the core. For a city our size, it’s a weird dynamic. In many places, three aren’t vibrant neighborhoods around a downtown.

Haven’t been to Tampa or St. Pete recently so can’t compare, but I agree with the prevailing sentiment on downtown Orlando (I can’t bring myself to use DTO). It has great bones, great potential, great facilities (like DPAC, Lake Eola park, etc.), but currently it feel very out of balance. It’s really heavy on the “play” of “live, work, play.” Particularly the late night crowd. But there’s little going on during the rest of the day. I think Covid played a factor in that, and really dampened the impact of the downtown UCF campus. But even now, things feel stagnant. I blame city leadership for that. You can’t rest on your laurels and hope that prior accomplishments will continue to bring success.

AP Style, the writing guidelines for their journalists, list a handful of US cities that can standalone (New York, Chicago, etc.). All other US cities, despite how well known they may be, require the state on first reference (Orlando, Fla.; Boise, Idaho; Fresno, Ca.; etc.).

You can also get a decent hot dog at TooJays. So between it, Primrose Lanes, and Hot Dog Heaven, can we know designate this part of town as the Dog District, Weiner Ward, or Frankfurter Fields? Really hard to beat these meats! Take that, Cock Block.

Or you can go to Hot Dog Heaven and get the same thing for under $6. But it doesn’t look as cool on Instagram. There’s a price point for everyone, and for some this may be fine. But I am always turned off by a place that charges big bucks and can’t even include a side item.

Brightline delays launch of Orlando to Miami service. https://www.wesh.com/article/brightline-orlando-delay/44757049

Last tenants I remember were a Books A Million and Burlington Coat Factory. Around that time the interior of the “mall” was closed off. Not sure if this will do well long term but a needed improvement on this corner.

The lack of weekend service at this point pretty pathetic.

Hoods Up goes up for sale. Finally. https://bungalower.com/2023/07/17/iconic-hoods-up-building-is-hitting-the-market-this-week/

Vibes.

Is there any movement on connecting SunRail to the airport? I haven’t seen or heard anything official in quite some time.

These are all the reasons why the transportation sales tax initiative got voted down. It’s such a shame that the tourism tax funds can’t be used for infrastructure projects that would benefit locals and tourists alike. I wish there was political will to push for changes to how those funds are allocated.

Then you should know, and do, better.

And yeah that GOP plan to keep us all safe and sound is working out sooooo well. Thank god we’re being protected from trans folks and drag shows.

What a crock. No mainstream Democratic leader has uttered the phrase “defund the police.” What some have said is that maybe, just maybe, police should be held accountable to the rule of law and perhaps shouldn’t kill people, primarily people of color, without any accountability whatsoever.

I’m not familiar with where the Brightline station is located in Miami. Is it near a people mover and/or Metro station? If so, that would help eliminate the need for having a car or calling an Uber/Lyft/taxi. Of course, if you’re going to South Beach or the cruise terminal, you’ll need to find a way there. That’s one of the things that doesn’t have me quite as sold on Brightline.

Primark is the Irish H&M. They have a few here in the Boston area. Inexpensive “fast fashion.”

Some aerial shots from Yimby https://floridayimby.com/2023/04/exterior-work-on-society-orlando-phase-one-approaches-the-final-stages-in-downtown-orlando.html

He will he greatly missed on this forum, as I am sure he will be missed by his family and friends. He loved this city and wanted it to succeed for all of its residents. I didn’t know him, but could only imagine his reaction when I read the news that Buddy Dyer was running for his <checks notes> 800th term as mayor of Orlando. My wish for Spenser is that there are no bulldozers in the afterlife, and that the streets of Heaven are lined with historic Woolworth buildings.