Jahi98

A commuter line into Lake County would be a nice addition. How about a light rail or BRT route down Colonial from West Oaks Mall to Waterford?

I think private investment is definately needed to make it happen. I'm wondering how much it will cost to ride.

That's where the buses and/or light rail systems would come into play. A commuter line on the old CSX tracks would terminate in DT Tampa, I believe; or it could continue from just east of DT Tampa, up over the top of the bay into DT Clearwater and terminate in DT St. Pete (this route would take it through several "downtowns" in Pinellas). Right now, there isn't a plan for commuter rail in Tampa other than the proposed statewide system. I think there are a good number of people that commute between the three metro areas (Tampa Bay, Lakeland and Orlando) that such a system is warranted. I agree with Lakelander. The CSX might be cheaper and better. In the meantime, I applaud the Orlando metro for working together to get a commuter rail line built. Hopefully, it this will put some pressure on the leaders in Tampa Bay to come together in similar fashion.

Congrats to the Orlando metro! It's another example of what can happen when the governments in a region come together for a common cause. If only their counterparts on the west coast could get it together.

I agree. I think it's just been delayed for a few years. I think it will be a subject of debate in the 2006 race for governor, and will be brought to the table once again.

Are there any plans to improve the area around the airport in terms of road infrastructure and additonal hotels/retail/restaurants? I've only been to the airport one time, but I remember the approach not being all that attractive.

I know this is an old quote, but I just had to laugh at the comment of how Gainesville "should look like St. Petersburg or...any other major Florida city." The Gainesville metro is nowhere near St. Pete. Just comparing populations, there are 250k residents in the St. Pete city limits alone, more than all of Alachua County. Sarasota is more comparable to Gainesville/Alachua. The major difference between Sarasota and G'ville is that Sarasota is a coastal city where highrise development is common and pretty much accepted. Ok, back to the current conversation... The University Heights area must be the hottest area in the city in terms of redevelopment. I kind of like how a dense, urban environment is steadily being created there with the small apartment and townhouse developments coming up. Hopefully, the University Lofts project will start the process of filling in the gap in activity/urbanity from the University area to the downtown core.

I think a "premium" outlet center like the ones in Ellenton and Orlando would be nice at that location and serve the market best, along with an open-air section with the movie theatre, like lakelander mentioned. Or make the entire thing open air...

This is the best rendering of the Trump Tower I've seen. It actually looks like it fits in with the other towers in this rendering.

The crib is definately on the come up. It's exciting to see the skyline transform before our eyes in such a short time. I believe site work has already begun for Bayway Lofts, and I think Opus will begin sales and construction on the 400 Beach Drive condo this year instead of 2006. Then there's the Tropicana block, Bayview Tower, Maas Brothers block redevelopment (where the Florida Int'l Museum is now)... The core should be quite lively in 3 to 5 years, and there's still room for more. I'm really interested to see what Central Avenue becomes in 5 years, with all of the projects proposed, approved and nearing construction. I can see Central Avenue rising to be the premier urban corridor of the city.