AndyPok1

Ya, I LOVE the renderings of the Kirkman redesign:

Don't like that the list of tenants includes BWW and Titanic. I imagine both will be moving from their current locations on North I Drive, furthering that area. The City of Orlando needs to do something with that. Is the business overhead that much more to be located in Orlando vs. Unincorporated Orange County?

Just difference of opinion then. I fully support eliminating every left exit, especially if there's no reason (landlocked etc) for it.

Didn't there also used to be left exits? That was the issue.

Coming from which direction? The new configuration aligns with most Highway principles? Not sure where you are finding an issue.

Yes, let's put it near the Creative Village complex... ya know... which is only being created on the site of a failed stadium plan. The location is perfect. One block away from the Amway. The Milk District?! I love the area, but would putting a stadium there promote anything of use? Even with the broadest possible definition of downtown, that is no where near. Sure, the stadium is going to be the farthest west part of downtown... but let's look... Adjacent - City View 1 Block - Amway Center; Magic Entertainment 2 Blocks - Church St Station 2.5 Blocks - 55 West 3 Blocks - Solaire; The Plaza; Orange Ave 4 Blocks - DPAC; Wall St; History Center To be able to put a stadium THAT close to things... that's an unqualified success. The Supporters will march from those residences/restaurants pregame to the stadium and then back afterwards. That's what soccer fans do. Also, a soccer stadium isn't going to bring about the retail that people here so desperately want. And we need to be honest, by and large, the main retail we are missing is a CVS/Walgreens.

I have a HUGE problem with this statement. Yes, would parking lots help businesses thrive by better accommodating people that want to drive in from the sprawl? Sure, and as a business owner (and a great one from what I've seen of your shop) you should desire that. However, parking lots have NO place in a downtown. Downtown is vertical. If you want to park, you do it at a meter or in a garage. Cleveland had/has a big problem with way too many surface lots. Just now, almost 20 years after they started revitalizing their downtown are they finally getting rid of them with vertical buildout. Parking lots are a very slippery slope. Leave them to under I-4 (or in urban settings by including alley ways and including parking behind buildings, a la the Pizza Hut plaza across from SoDo). Basically, walking around, I should never see your car unless you are driving it or its parked on the street.

The sign for Flame Broiler is finally up at 54W. Progress... I think... finally!

Church St is ready for tonight!

I believe its only open before/during events though, no?

Friend sent me this picture. Apparently the new bar replacing Pipers at The Plaza has run into assume permitting issues. (sorry don't know how to embed pictures from mobile ) http://andysite.net/directory/IMG-20130929-WA0002.jpg

Also, we have an urban downtown full-service grocery store. Most cities of our size would kill for that.

In other news, Pine 22 is closing/closed (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=594140953981511&id=124278644301080), and from the looks of it walking by last Friday night, On the Rocks closed as well. However, Schaumann's Jager Haus opened and is AMAZING. Great theming, Great food, Great prices ($10 for a liter of quality German beer). Talked with the manager, seemed like a cool guy. Living basically right above this is going to end badly.

There's an ARB notice for a new high rise sign outside of Aspire. Looks like there will be a new name. I'm glad, no one ever called it the KEL building.

This would be awesome... but that intersection needs fixed first. The right-turn lane when driving southbound on I-Drive is nowhere near large enough to handle all that is turning onto Sand Lake to try to get to I-4/Dr. Phillips.

From their website, it looks like its a cross between Chipotle and a mongolian grill. If it's priced right (aka I can get a bowl and drink for under $9), I'll be going there way too often.

This. I've lived here 5 months and only went twice. And that second time was solely because I saw it was about to close and felt compelled to. And it's not like I'm lacking for burger options. Harry Buffalo, Hamburger Mary's and Piper's all serve sit-downish burgers within the block. And a little farther up Orange, and there's Pine 22 and Beth's. And Beth's is the exact same as Five Guys, but local.... However, it's partially that I think 5 guys is overrated and overpriced. I mean, for some forsaken reason, I'm addictied to the junk that is Taco Bell. If they were to ever move in there, my 25 additional lbs would become 50 and there'd be no chance at losing it ever again.

I just moved back to Orlando after spending 2 years in Tulsa. Don't be jealous of the Devon Tower. It's really too high for OKC. I love urbanism and skyscrapers and think that there's nothing better, but it is simply SO tall compared to the rest of OKC that it doesn't look right. It is 14 stories and almost 350 feet taller than the next highest building. Imagine putting 55 West on TOP of The Vue, and leaving the rest of downtown the same. That's basically what it looks like. With that said, I do miss the walk up Boston Ave in Tulsa leading to the BOK tower (A half size-WTC building)