Captain.Metro

Agreed. Whereas I love the juxtaposed look of modern glass facades with traditional, historic architecture, there's just not enough in the core to move forward with a modern platform.

I hope the UK Imports bode well. There was once a European fast-casual chain (the name slips my memory) in the space now occupied by Nature's Table at Lincoln Plaza along with Testa Rossa in Millenia, now occupied by Sushi Katana. The latter of which had very good quality sandwiches and espresso. A shame they may have ventured too early.

That hotel looks great. I also think they would make for nice condos--- Imagine the views from the North and West facing units.

I noticed some buildout progress on "The District" projects when going to The Courtesy this weekend. I think they'll happen eventually, certainly before Aura opens. Speaking of Church Street, as I was passing the old Dragon Room yesterday, I noticed active buildout going on. Hopefully, that German Restaurant concept is going in--- and a good one at that. While on the subject, the former Shakai Sushi/Ichiban space is being replaced by Underground Public House, themed to a London public house. From their Facebook page, one of the investors is from Stigma. Could be a promising addition to downtown.

That makes sense now. This photo shows now The Courtesy, but "The District" bars under construction. The Courtesy Bar is a few doors north of these.

Very unlikely. I was there yesterday. At least on Sundays, they do not open until 4P. I think it's safe to say Courtesy is not closed for business.

If someone is living in Altamonte Springs, it's very unlikely they would want to journey to the Super Target in SODO when there are other Target Stores closer, with groceries. One wouldn't take SunRail with perishables. 24 Hour Fitness may be another "destination" stretch. Let's be honest, most of the businesses (retail and restaurant) surrounding SODO are intended to serve the community within a 5 mile radius. I doubt they advertise to the residents of Altamonte Springs or even Maitland. Also, we need to remember this is a commuter rail line. I don't know a commuter rail line in any other city I've experienced (internatioonally and domestic) that would have so many stops near each other. It's up to the community to voice intermodal connections for the surrounding areas. I'm hearing you, I just don't think commuter rail is the answer to this area.

True. Weather always plays a factor in a city with public transit. In this case, she would take a taxi from the station, or in the future take LYMMO. Plus, other than an orthopedic center or to visit someone in The Lofts at SODO, SODO isn't particularly a destination.

If the German Restaurant rumor for the former Dragon Room space is true, it would be a breath of new life to downtown. Finally, a new concept... Plus, I love German food! I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one.

Looks like even more great progress has been made on SkyHouse Apartments- A sign states they are now pre-leasing. How soon before they begin leasing new tenants. That's what I'm most intrigued by--- Whether or not viable tentants to bring traffic to this area are going to take the gamble. It's in a great location, really.

The 11 is a very underutilized line. I have a car and live in Thornton Park (Eola Square) and walk to Orange to take the 11 to the airport. Once the E/W Lymmo begins services, I'm hoping more downtown dwellers realize the use of Lynx without the stigma.

That is frustrating, but this is commuter rail and is designed to work with intermodal transport options. Being that there is no connectivity other than LYNX or taxi, I see your point. I would encourage you to push for the N/S Lymmo extension. There are viable options to connect ORMC Station with Michigan if you consider repurposing the industrial areas in between.

The closest to Michigan would be ORMC, which isn't terribly far for that district.

Are they closing, or renovating and rebranding? To my knowledge, they're doing renovations the first week of June... I know the Scott Joseph article says it's "closing," but SJ has lost journalistic integrity IMO.

If only it had ground floor retail, like a Trader Joe's, to insure destination traffic...

Any updates on the "Phase II" funding? Looking at the construction every day, the exterior just looks odd (imbalanced) by not building the full front façade. Is there a structural reason they couldn't just build the full façade and begin the multi-form music hall later?

Has anyone tried Marsh Hammock BBQ on Orange yet? I'm interested to hear reviews. Also, Avenue Gastrobar opens next week in the old Senso Supperclub. Hopefully it'll be a balance between Gastro and Bar.

I still don't understand why there's not a Chipotle downtown. Either Chipotle has great real estate planners or people just find their way. Either or both reasons would lend well to a downtown location and could strategically bring traffic to an area. I agree, the restaurant scene downtown is "meh." I think a Whitewood-like concept would lend itself well to the Thornton Park area. IZA tapas seems seems to be cursed by the same problem as the former tenant of that location, Aroma--- odd and inconsistent hours. In my opinion, downtown needs good, solid full service restaurants. What? I'm not sure. We do have great spaces housing restaurants of mediocre caliber at best in Spice (horrible service, teriffic location and poor layout), Prickly Pear and Nick's Italian Kitchen (I'll pair these both together because I'm amazed they're both still in business. Overpriced, poor service and underwhelming food). Why have local restauranteurs such as the owners of Ravenous Pig and Cask & Larder not developed a concept downtown? If costs for a downtown location are too high, I would hope management companies would reconsider their $ sq' to bring in vibrant businesses to the area.

I would definitely use SunRail from downtown to Park Avenue. I hope plans to keep it running later and on the weekends is considered. Park Avenue is a great place to visit on Saturday mornings, however, I don't go because once I'm home (Thornton Park) I rarely ever get into my car.

It's the closest one to downtown--- a draw, I'm sure.

Does anyone know if there's still an attempt to salvage and repurpose the brise-soleil from the round building?

A Starbucks would be fantastic as would a Yard House, especially now that Darden has acquired them. I also vote for an integrated modern green space lined by dining venues a la Lincoln Road Mall.

No! Not an Edison in Orlando... It wouldn't be the same outside of the boiler room of an historic building.

Thanks for the post, @thehyppo. I'm glad to see buildout going on in your shop and look forward to walking over to try one of your treats. I've heard great things from friends who went to Flagler.

The spacious diagonal sidewalks leading from Church and Pine Streets into the complex are a great idea... (for whomever out there in the design process reading this...)