camstrang

A couple of articles about the new stadium proposals today: Citrus Bowl's Future Discussed 2 Options Unveiled for Citrus Bowl

Well, the NFL is considering putting an expansion team in LA if they can't get a team to relocate there. (Link) But that's definitely an exception, and I agree the only real chance other cities have of landing a team is relocation.

Sorry, I should've clarified my point. I meant the NFL would never put four teams in Florida, not that they wouldn't put four teams in any state. California has 35,000,000 residents to our 17,000,000 (link). As much as I want an NFL team in Orlando, four teams makes a lot more sense there than here.

You're right, I just can't see the NFL ever putting 4 teams in one state, so I think our only hope of getting an NFL team for the Citrus Bowl is if the Jaguars fail in Jacksonville. Considering the Jags close off most of the upper bowl with huge black tarps because of low attendance, it has a small TV market and the team is losing money, I don't think that's too foreign of an idea. I don't think the team would have the same problems here in Orlando (for one thing, Orlando's TV market is 19th in the country vs. Jacksonville at 50). But even if that happened, it wouldn't be any time soon, and Orlando would have huge competition from other cities for the team. In our favor, though, Sacramento, Los Angeles and Orlando are the largest TV markets with no NFL team, and Los Angeles is getting one. The NFL might be open to the Jaguars moving down the interstate in 5 years or so to keep them in the region even if Jacksonville can't support them. They could potentially keep the team's most loyal fans, and add all of the impact of bringing a team to Orlando. In my opinion, that'd be our only hope of getting an NFL team. I just can't see the NFL adding a fourth team to the state. With no updated stadium, there's no chance we'd be considered for an NFL team. But it seems pretty risky to spend $250M on something that's nowhere near guaranteed of ever happening. I guess what comes first, the chicken or the egg?

In today's OBJ, it talks about the possible new Centroplex Marriott. A recap of the article: The new hotel would be a 15-story, all-suites property with between 315 and 330 oversized units. It would be located in the space east of the existing building, currently used for parking for the hotel and events at the Bob Carr and TD Waterhouse Centre. If details are worked out with the parties involved, including the University of Central Florida, the existing hotel would become dormitory rooms for the academy's students. Should everything fall into place, construction on the new hotel would begin in February 2007 and take about 2-1/2 years.

Not sure what your needs are, but I recently saw that GoDaddy has a $3.99/mo. hosting package for 250 GB of transfer. Or, if you want 1,000 GB of transfer, it's only $6.99/mo.

A Sentinel article from yesterday.

Some items of note from the story: "We are doing all three projects," says Rebecca W. Sutton, the city's chief financial officer. "The question is whether we can assemble the money for all three at one time, or whether we need to phase the projects." Officials expect to decide by the end of this year how much funding they each will provide for the three projects, which add up to almost $1 billion. Starting next week, groups representing the three venues will make a two-hour presentation to the Orange County Board of Commissioners on three separate days. Then the City Council will have all three organizations present their proposals, possibly in a workshop, on the same day within a month or two. There, the groups will ask for city land to be donated, as well as for millions of dollars from Orlando's Community Redevelopment Agency. After that, city and county officials will be presented with a master plan for the downtown area, followed by the presentation of the final joint funding plan, and then an interlocal agreement will be worked out. At that time, it will be time to break ground. First up: the Orlando Performing Arts Center Corp., making its pitch to the county commission on Aug. 22 at 9 a.m., followed by the Citrus Bowl on Aug. 29 and the arena on Sept. 12. The PAC nonprofit group envisions a $900 million complex ($350 million for the PAC and the rest being commercial and residential development) on 9 acres in downtown across from City Hall, bounded by Orange Avenue, South Street, Rosalind Avenue and Anderson Street. If all goes well, construction of the performing arts center, parking garage and some of the residential construction could be completed by 2010, with everything else finished by 2013.

http://www.wftv.com/news/9697210/detail.html The article doesn't really have anything that hasn't already been discussed here, but at least now the mayor's push for a new arena (not renovating), a PAC and renovating the Citrus Bowl -- and the $1B price tag -- is getting public traction. Today he said all three would have a final resolution within three months. Also, it looks like the I-Drive possibility for the new arena is off the table and it's definitely going downtown, probably on Church.

I'm in shock. It's really happening!

The entire lot (which is absolutely massive, by the way) is fenced off now at the street. Dumpsters all over the place, and a lot of demo taking place. It's finally happening.

Looks like it's much ado about nothing: Magic say there's nothing serious about talk of move to tourist area And F-L-A, despite your condescending tone, I was simply pointing out that walk-up sales would increase in that area because it'd bring more awareness and accessibility to the games for people who currently aren't going. In no way was I implying that tourists would replace season ticket holders and local fan support. It'd maybe fill in those few thousand empty seats that are at every game. Again, I want the arena to stay downtown, but I could at least see the business reason why they'd entertain the thought of moving. But according to the Sentinel article, it's not going to happen, so there's nothing to worry about ...

As much as I'd hate it because it'd be further away for me personally to go to the games, if they do move down there it'd be a very smart move from a business perspective. The Magic lose $10 million + a year, and they need to find a way to fill seats and increase revenue. If locals aren't coming out to support the team (which they're not), then they need to see if they can tap into the millions of visitors our city has each year. Next to the convention center they'd be able to capitalize on tourists by the truckload. Think about it -- the majority of visitors aren't going to come up to downtown. But if there's an impressive huge arena within walking (or bus) distance from where they're staying, it's pretty likely tourists will attend games, which they aren't now. The team will be selling more merch (more first-time people at games), creating more fans around the country. The arena could have restaurants, shops, etc. all along the exterior that could be open every day, greatly increasing the revenue the arena could generate since it wouldn't just be on game days ... from a financial perspective, it'd be a smart move. Downtown just can't offer that kind of accessibility and additional revenue opportunities right now. Maybe in 10 years, but not now. Not to mention, having an arena in that corridor would add a massive new entertainment option to attract conventions. Those things factor in when large conventions are deciding where to take their shows. Honestly, an arena next to the convention center makes sense on a lot of levels. Yes, it'd be a step backward for downtown specifically, but it'd be a step forward for the big picture growth of the city. And -- it guarantees the team will stay in Orlando. Whatever's needed to make sure that happens, I'm for.

It's nicer than normal Chinese fast food, but not as good as Pei Wei.

It's not just multi-familiy -- it's retail, restaurants and offices as well. Basically like a taller version of ColonialTown up in Lake Mary, which is a great development (I used to live up there). It's even the same developer, right? I think Mills/Nebraska will be a fantastic addition to the area, extending the draw of Winter Park Village and Loch Haven Park all the way down to Colonial Drive.

That's interesting, thanks for the info. Then what was I watching where the councilman was praising the development plans and told Pelloni "Welcome to construction"? That seems odd if they haven't even closed on the site. I only caught part of the hearing, but it sounded to me like the city was giving him approval to start work. I've noticed some demolition on part of the property, on the north end near Will's Pub. Maybe that's what they were referring to? Starting demo on part of the property?

Any word on what's happening with the massive Mills/Nebraska development? I was watching a city council meeting a couple months ago where the councilman said to the developer "welcome to construction," but since then the stores on that land seem to still be in business and nothing's changed. I'm just wondering if anyone knows the plans or timetable for that development. I'm moving over to Baldwin and would love to know when that old mill eyesore will be razed.