FLheat

I upload pictures to "my gallery" under my profile here and then paste the image link.

Some discussion on page 45 of this thread: http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php/topic/51723-downtown-orlando-project-discussion/page-45

I run through Parramore quite frequently and I never had reason to feel unsafe. I like the presence of people who actually give you a head nod or say hello. When I run past the Mt. Zion church on Sundays I actually get a warm hello from the people walking to church, I have never experienced this in front of the churches on the east side of I4 downtown. The sidewalks there are in pretty good condition and there are cool small neighborhood parks and community gardens in a mostly shaded route.

I hear rumors of two projects in CSS. One a Bed and Breakfast on the 2nd floor above Hamburger Mary's and old Club Paris area and also a small "acoustical music" venue in the Cheyenne...anyone hear anything?

The Orlando Magic notified Orlando officials Thursday of its intent to buy city-owned property across the street from the Amway Center to build a $100 million sports-and-entertainment complex. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-magic-amway-project-20130328,0,5048633.story

I have gone a couple of time to La Strada on Manolia where the Daily News was located and have really enjoyed my dining experience. The owners Enzo and Billy are very friendly and enthused about their new business. They make their own pasta daily and their prices are affordable. Enzo has a great list of credentials and they are willing to customize their menu to your tastes. Their homemade soups are fantastic.

One more month to wait....http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2013/03/city-of-orlando-to-see-magics-plans.html

Stole it from the City of Orlando's Facebook page.

SeeArtOrlando.com On March 6, 2013: During his annual State of the City Address, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced the selection of artists for the SEE ART ORLANDO initiative. SEE ART ORLANDO is a public sculpture community project designed to enhance the aesthetic experience and cultural image of Downtown Orlando through the installation of iconic works of art throughout the city core. “Arts and culture are responsible for 3,500 jobs in our community and generate nearly 100 million dollars in economic impact. SEE ART ORLANDO is part of our plan to grow that impact,” said Mayor Dyer. A local, national and international call for artists resulted in more than 170 submissions from16 countries and 36 states. After careful consideration the SEE ART ORLANDO Board of Directors and donors selected seven artists. Of the selected artists, one is an Orlando resident. Jacob Harmeling owns QUI Studios in the Ivanhoe Village MainStreet District and was selected for the sculpture that will go in the Roundabout in Lake Eola Park near the intersection of Central Blvd. and Osceola Avenue. Other selected artists include: • Ralfonso Gschwend from Zurich, Switzerland has been selected to create the sculpture at the corner of Robinson Street and Eola Drive. • The sculpture at the corner of Eola Drive and Central Blvd. will be done by Todji Kurtzman from Portland, Oregon. • DeeDee Morrison, who resides in Birmingham, Alabama, was selected for the sculpture at the Orange County Regional History Center. • Douwe Blumberg, DeMossville, Kentucky, will be creating a piece along Robinson Street in Lake Eola Park. • The sculpture along Rosalind Ave. in Lake Eola Park will be done by Meg White from Stephensport, Kentucky. • Wendy Ross, who resides in Bethesada, Maryland, was selected for the sculpture in Seaside Bank at the corner of Church Street and Orange Avenue. “The artists selected are world-class with national and international acclaim and we are excited to have them prepare these iconic sculpture works for our Downtown,” said SEE ART ORLANDO Chairwomen Jennifer Quigley. The selected artists are beginning the design phase and installation of the sculptures is expected to be complete in September 2013.

I have several beefs regarding the transportation issue in Orlando. It frustrates me to begin with that Orlando, being a newer city missed out on the Federal Interstate Highway Act of 1956, but as we grew our representatives should have kept this in mind in getting Orlando its fair share for transportation funding. I don't know of a city in this country the size of Orlando that does not have a free north and south freeway through its core. I look at cities like Louisville KY, Charlotte NC, St. Louis MO and even Jacksonville FL that all have free interstates, beltways galore and we're clogged with tolls. I am not opposed to tolls but the cost allocated for transportation throughout the country should be more equitable. I think the first step to address the traffic situation is to encourage alternative routes but our toll system forces people to take I4. Theoretically the toll should be on I4 and taken off the 408, 417, 529, etc. The only thing I don't like about this is that it would encourage more people to live out in the burbs, but with the I4 toll it would encourage more use of Sunrail. Eliminating the toll on the 408 would also reduce the traffic load on Colonial (Don't get me going on the 5 minute stoplight wait for a pedestrian to cross Colonial--no wonder people are struck jaywalking). Personally, I walk and run more miles a year than I drive and have the opportunity to stare at the parking lot on I4 everyday, so traffic isn't a direct concern for me. I just don't like the transportation planning this city has done or the mentality of people having to use their car for everything. I do appreciate the comment I read about people not understanding the true cost of driving (how much per mile do we spend on vehicle, insurance, maintenance, gas, gas taxes,tolls and federal taxes subsidizing roads outside of the gas taxes?) and how this compares to the investment in mass transit. I also wish everyone would have the opportunity to experience travel in Europe and see how backward and wasteful our nation is for moving its people.

I upload to my gallery, click on the photo and to the right choose the options drop down and click on link. From the links that appear copy the image link and then chose the image icon in the post paste the image link.

I wonder how long this concept will last: http://www.wesh.com/news/central-florida/orange-county/Miller-s-Ale-House-charging-patrons-usage-fee/-/12978032/19116756/-/11g7xd/-/index.html?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=wesh%2B2%2Bnews Millers Ale House charges a Ravaudage Personal User Fee

This has no direct benefit other than to Universal. And with Scott Maxwell recently bringing to light it took millions of tax dollars because of a "high crime area" loophole. The timing of this is not good especially when Rosen is willing to pay for a skywalk from his hotel to the convention center. I have heard Universal may be relocating their offices to Orlando and this may be some kind of incentive, but then let's not put the cart before the horse, make sure we get a commitment before offering any incentives. I'd rather have my skywalk near Orange and Colonial instead.

Fresh Market Foundation Retaining wall on NW Corner of site

There are some real good pictures on the facebook page for: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts The rotunda stairs photo is cool.

Running on the Urban Trail this morning, I noticed they have started installing about an 8 foot high carved stone retaining wall on the whole North and Northwest perimeter of the parcel. I didn't realize that there was that much change in elevation on the site. It doesn't look like a retaining wall one would typically see in Florida--castle like looking.

FDOT maps out plan to provide transit link to SunRail It's good they are looking at east to west connections. http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2013/01/31/fdot-to-map-out-plan-to-provide.html

They tore down the building on the corner of Mills and Virginia this morning.