smonteserin

I couldn't find an "OBT" page, but this article mentioned Holden a few times. This is a Growthspotter article highlighting plans for OBT, from Downtown west (SR 50) over 8.3 miles to Sand Lake Rd. https://www.growthspotter.com/news/retail-dining-developments/gs-news-obtnext-orange-blosssom-trail-master-plan-cra-20210901-inopj23ytnhatc6kreiocjdsry-story.html This links to GAI's study and reveal. https://gaiconsultants.com/project/obt-next/

I also attended the meeting. I was impressed with the low impact ecological/environmental engineering aspects incorporated into the storm water drains that currently dump untreated water into the lake. At the several points of entry, the water will now pass through natural vegetation filtration in raised decorative concrete beds. There seems to be a lot more consideration not only around how people will use the park, but also making the wildlife and the ecology a focus of care as well. I was the one who asked the question about timeline and funding, and it seems like this will be a project into the next 10 to 15 years. It seems that these kind of projects take a long time to implement especially here.

That is the totem of a local artist Halsi. https://www.thevinylwarhol.com/season-1/halsi-interview

This is an article from strong towns that highlights how car reliant Orlando and Orange county are, And what might change. The article is short, with an additional interview. https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2021/5/19/a-new-direction-for-car-dependent-orlando?fbclid=IwAR0vS8_oQgCTTL47etnPZzGLw-BsE0zeJviD3skgu6hZ3HS3uIso9GkHTsc

Do you think that the Parking lot at the end of Luminary Green will eventually be absorbed by the park? It seems a terrible use of space for that area. I also wish they would extend to park all the way to Lake Dot, and add more amenities for the overlapping communities who both work and live in that area.

The color scheme of these lights reminded me a bit more of the original renderings. As far as the Front Yard Festival, I live off Mills near Lake Davis and can hear the live concerts.

The building does look remarkably close to the rendering the redesign provided. Shocking.

This was a few evenings ago. The lighting around the entrance portico looks good.

On the corner of Amelia and Orange.

I do wish for many of the newer constructions that developers/designers/architects would take into account our local climate and weather. Orlando has intense sun and heat, and crazy thunderstorms and few if any have awnings or overhangs that shield pedestrians. I wonder why this is? It makes sense to have some overhanging portico or something over doorways at the very least.

Looks like the glass exterior design got Orlandoed. It’s a shame as that design dramatically improved what is currently there while this newer rendition does far less so. https://www.growthspotter.com/news/downtown-orlando-developments/gs-news-gssa-arb-20201118-lgifdxp3zzfvtkst3noibv727i-story.html

I apologize, but I don’t know the name of this building on Orange ave between Church and South but the work on upgrades to this plaza are underway. I think it has the restaurant “Latin corner” and is across from the Starbucks at the Grand Bohemian.

The MPB approved this project as well, according to Growthspotter. from the article: " The developers, who also completed CitiTower across the street, are pledging to bring the first 5-star convention center hotel to Orlando’s Central Business District." The article also says that the have 3 hotels competing for the flag. The hotel will have a convention center, and will also feature a sky club on 33rd floor with indoor/outdoor dining and pool, as well as 129 branded residences. https://www.growthspotter.com/news/downtown-orlando-developments/gs-news-mpb-monarch-20200915-ckkzltx2erd2rdcihpv55desu4-story.html

According to Growthspotter, Monarch Tower was approved by the MPB board today. “I think this looks like a great project,” MPB member Jonathan Huels said. “I think it’s going to serve as another great focal point for the downtown. And, you know, at the same time, it’s assisting in or helping Westminster towers, the neighbor, with an issue that looks like they’ve had for a long time." https://www.growthspotter.com/news/downtown-orlando-developments/gs-news-mpb-monarch-20200915-ckkzltx2erd2rdcihpv55desu4-story.html

I'll have to drive down again with a socially distanced cameraman, eventually. I-4 was a bit harrowing at that hour.

This building makes a definite impact as infill driving West on I-4. I drove through downtown to see the way the new layout and scale of I-4 changes the views and feel, and this on in particular surprised me, along with the Lakehouse and the Yard projects, as well as the under construction apartments in Advent Health Village. I think the height of the new Ultimate I-4 lanes give a novel view.

These are from last week.

I couldn't tell from the picture of the rendering they posted, as it doesn't look altogether that different. I'm happy that it didn't get as ORLANDOED as other projects that have passed through the gauntlet.

A Growthspotter article just confirmed that this project is still on the table, but with a different developer, less office and less retail. Plans call for 39 stories, 25 fewer apts, 42,000 fewer square feet of retail. Essentially there are on 10,000 sq ft of retail now. that feels like a significant reduction but lost only two floors, as it was listed before as 41 stories. https://www.growthspotter.com/news/downtown-orlando-developments/gs-news-zoi-tower-update-20200420-uidg44w3ojdxxfuu37cqozpbgy-story.html

This is a great Article. Super interesting. Appreciate all you history sharing. You're an archive!

I thought it was multiple, while it may just be a single large one.

New parking garages on northeast corner of Orange Ave and Princeton across the street from 7-eleven.

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/americas-most-beautiful-gas-station-conversions?fbclid=IwAR3fcwtptlVrRCFllrDldo6VdwmFP3d4Nque3ktqV2EKVaMjR18cn-VDbUU US most beautiful gas station conversions features Social House in hourglass.

Looking East along E. Livingston.