FLClarkKent

The ATMs at that Chase have been busted for weeks. Driving me nuts.

Great news. They were doing demo when I ran by yesterday.

I preferred the one in Fashion Square. But the one in Daytona at the Volusia Square Mall had the best fried chicken I’ve ever eaten. And I’m from Alabama, so I’m an authority on fried chicken.

If only!

Interesting read. Thanks for sharing! I think Lake Wales is another inland town with great potential. It's biggest disadvantage in my opinion is that it seems/feels very disconnected and remote. It's one of those places that would be a boom town if it were on a commuter line like SunRail.

I agree. It'll be interesting to see. My hunch is that people will venture from Eola - visually, it is very inviting. Something about the curve in the road makes it appear closer to the park. I'm also curious if the retail will get decent day/lunch traffic with not just the courthouse, but with the office buildings that front Robinson and the Fifth Third bank building (can't recall the name off the top of my head).

Healthy cynicism is always warranted in such matters. But I believe that Eatonville has little to no commercial tax base, and this kind of development would be a big boon--likely spurring more development in the future.

I think it will be very cool looking as you are driving on I4 westbound into downtown. As Advent Health continues to grow, that stretch of I4 has a much more dense, urban vibe.

While I wish it was in downtown, the company founder said in the most recent Sentinel article that he wanted to help revitalize Eatonville. And this is a great first step as the town apparently has very little tax base.

Agreed. Visually it looks like you're downtown when you hit Advent/Florida Hospital all the way through to ORMC.

Looks like one of the retail tenants is going to a Taiwanese tea chain. https://bungalower.com/2021/05/16/new-taiwanese-tea-shop-opening-in-downtown-high-rise/

Not quite downtown, but the Greenwood Wetlands Park is an unofficial dog park (for better or worse, depending on your viewpoint). Most folks tend to let their dogs off leash there. Short drive away for folks downtown. A little longer of a drive is the dog park at the Park of America (due east of the Executive Airport). It's a really nice dog park, with areas for big dogs and little dogs. To you point, there are some parks the city could repurpose/optimize. Festival Park, for instance, always seems like there's an abundance of space (particularly on the western half, which doesn't get used much for events) and Al Coith Park is just one big grassy area.

It's crazy how built up this part of town has become. Ate outdoors at the Greek place, and it's just wild seeing the apartments across the tracks - just massive. Density!

Went there once after a scenic boat tour. Nice museum, small but interesting stuff. And free from what I can recall.

The Mills part looks fine, it's the 50 part that needs some help. Don't know what you can do about the buildings, but sidewalk improvements, landscaping and trash/graffiti clean up are the city's purview. Or the Main Street district's purview.

A few quick updates from my local 'hood: Floyd's is officially open in the old ABC space. Signage is also up for Black Rooster. The small plaza that's home to Pizza Bruno has received a nice facelift. We now have Curry Ford West banners, which look nice. Most importantly, Dairy Queen has Thin Mint Blizzards available for a limited time.

Per The Daily City, new brewery and food truck park proposed for Creative Village area. https://www.thedailycity.com/post/orlando-food-truck-park-with-space-for-27-food-trucks-in-the-works-for-downtown-ucf-area

I don't know, still don't think it's an apples to apples comparison. All three are working a small town, main street vibe. Going off topic, the other thing that isn't helping downtown retail is all of the close to downtown 'hoods (College Park, Ivanhoe, Mills 50, etc.) having good retail and great food.

I think the towns you've mentioned have done a great job of creating a luxury-like, Rodeo Drive experience (Winter Park) or a quaint, small town main street vibe (Sanford, Winter Garden and DeLand). I think these things are more difficult (or impossible) to replicate in an urban city center, which has urban city center issues (parking, panhandling, etc.). That being said, I think these new food halls will be a great addition to the downtown scene. It will provide more dining options, but in spaces that are affordable to the business owner. It's my understanding that rents are incredibly high downtown, and that pulling off a successful restaurant ain't easy even in a cheap location. I wish these new folks much success! I don't know if downtown is unsafe. I'd have to see some stats. But to your point, it can feel unsafe - particularly if you are a visitor from the 'burbs. I've had several co-workers from the 'burbs say they don't want to go back downtown because they felt unsafe. But these were times when downtown was kind of dead (no events going on, weekday evenings, etc.). When it's hopping and crowded, people tend to feel safe. And when it's not, the city should consider increasing its police presence downtown. Could go a long way in changing the perception that visitors sometimes have. My 2-cents.

A few from this week.

Sprouts on its way to Colonial Plaza. Article doesn't say exactly where, but the old Stein Mart location seems the most likely spot. That's a good add for the plaza and the 'hood in general. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-bz-orlando-colonial-plaza-sprouts-conns-20201229-g7mmx5ecorhvhpcr6snhdefmmm-story.html

That’s a real shame. Never had a chance to try it. One reason: they were not open on Sundays. Always seemed like that was a bad business decision, as that part of downtown is pretty active on Sundays.

First time I’ve ever seen the fountain working at Wadeview Park.

That’s a great looking addiction. Hope they are able to pull it off. This helps explain the delay in the redevelopment of the old car wash and auto shop. Also excited to see them redeveloping the property on Primrose and Curry Ford. For a while, it was a dog day care facility (the well named Dog Mahal) and then a church. It’s been sitting empty for a while now.