Closet_Urbanite

Bags Inc. favored for more city-owned land next to Orlando HQ site, despite higher bid Orlando-based Bags Inc. acquired by national travel services firm for $275M Does anyone have an update of what will become of the SW corner of the Division and South Street intersection. The BAGS Headquarters were supposed to be built on it after receiving a sweetheart deal from the City of Orlando on the 2.14 acre land acquisition. The owner sells the company for $275M and yet the City seems to have allowed him to keep the property without any new plans and use it for surface parking. Wouldn’t it make sense to take it back and sell it to Bob Snow’s group with proven track record? This site seems ideal for a mixed use high-rise to complement the Orlando Magic’s SED , DVX, Green District, etc...

What is the latest on this "Green District"... will it come to fruition and change Parramore once and for all? Did the City approve it and to what heights? Sometimes I wish I lived during 1884 in Orlando...simple life, uncomplicated, clean slate...and it appears Parramore was still somebody's dream (or nightmare). Can you find your "roots" in this depiction from the Florida Memory archives...???

One of the only two places I would actually pay to live in...Modera and 777 N Orange....properly made/designed with concrete/steel versus yellow pine and plywood. Our latest crown jewel in College park, like many others might have nice external finishes...but they are matchstick design. In all fairness, Creative Village appears to be high quality also.

Is this for real...the City approved this? I love it...and it kind of makes sense considering the Orlando Magic Entertainment Complex will be going up. This has the potential of a true destination if it happens. I'm not sure who Tim Green is, but I looked up Urban America and they are a huge developer of major revitalization projects around he country...mostly in areas similar to Parramore. Sounds like a solid foundation and if they have a multi-billion dollar private equity fund backing them...anything is possible. Something like this is badly needed if they want to truly transform Parramore...while still keeping a mixed income/race identity. Kudos to the City and these developers if they make it happen!

Parramore Oaks is indeed great news for the people of Parramore...as is demolition of the Griffin Park housing project. Both of these should provide excellent low-income housing stock for the remaining hard working people and elderly that remain between Parramore and Division (East-West) and Church and Anderson (North-South). Perhaps the time to bulldoze that entire area has arrived...start with a clean slate. The question is will other Mid to High Rise projects follow the lead of the Orlando Magic Entertainment Complex and Bags Headquarters Building? The potential exists to create a true 24/7 sustainable destination that connects with the CBD...something very special and unique.

Everyone that owns or lives in Lake Eola Heights should be jumping with joy and lobbying for approval. This is certainly the type of development needed for this "sleepy" corridor and it will complement what eventually goes vertical on the Orlando Sentinel property and across the street all the way up to Colonial and beyond (Lake Ivanhoe). I hope they rezone the land west of Ruth Street, from Livingston up to Colonial/50 so that high rise buildings can be develop along the east side of Magnolia (across from OS). I never understood why they blocked off Amelia St heading east...if they wanted to control traffic going into Eola Heights, then they should have placed this "barrier" at the intersection of Amelia and Ruth St and not Amelia/Magnolia.

This looks like a second similar project by this developer (Tim Green?)...not sure if I ever met him, but I think he might be on to something big. New bar and cafe coming near soccer stadium - Lions Den http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/consumer/os-bz-soccer-stadium-bar-20170803-story.html

I believe this development will surround the new Riley Park, on both sides of Parramore Ave, just under 408. It should be a nice addition for the residents and a catalyst for further activity. The article by thedailycity.com says Invicta Development was selected by the City of Orlando, with ONIC proposal as backup. It appears they have started to apply for funding. Never heard of Invictus Development, but they are a Tampa based company and were supposedly in the running for Tampa's West River development.

I remember reading somewhere that a Beach/Plaza would be created on Lake Ivanhoe (as it used to be in the 50's/60's). I believe this is the area where the sand volleyball courts are in front of The Yard development and the Italian/Greek restaurants, right? What became of that petition to create a beachfront park?

Is there a parking plan for the OCSC Stadium, especially on days when Orlando Magic or Amway Concerts fall on the same day?

The below photo by prahaboheme (Thank You!) inspired me to do my annual walk through Parramore...all I can say is WOW! What a transformation...you can feel the energy/vibe building up. Have we reached critical mass to finally make Parramore a "showcase" of Orlando pride and urban transformation? A quick google search revealed the proposed Parramore Oaks development on Parramore Ave...this is an amazing development that rivals most developments east of I-4. Does anyone know if this is a go..and when? OCSC Stadium...looking east on W South St....photo courtesy of prahaboheme Parramore Oaks rendering. Sout Parramore Ave (just past 408 underpass) Top Candidate identified...........courtesy of Invicta Development Beer Garden on W Central...yippie!!! Octoberfest in Orlando!

Another Homeless Shelter? No way...I vote for Casino any day! I knew that West 500 block of South St was a Casino at one point...nice read from Orlando Sentinel back in 2005: Exploring the path to Parramore's past "A BUSTLING CENTER ON SOUTH STREET None holds more retrospective glamour than the South Street Casino, later called the Quarterback Club, that sat at 519 W. South St. Dr. William Monroe Wells owned the casino, which was hit by fire and demolished in the 1980s. It sat next to the hotel he built in the 1920s so that black visitors to Orlando would have a place to stay. Now the Wells'Built Museum of African-American History and Culture, of which Thompson is director, it functions as a strong community anchor and force for preserving the area's heritage. Recent programs at the Wells'Built included a showing of the Academy Award-winning Ray, about the life of Ray Charles, who played at the South Street Casino on the "Chitlin' Circuit" so well depicted in the movie. Not only Charles but many other greats of American entertainment, including Count Basie and Duke Ellington, performed on South Street and stayed at Dr. Wells' hotel. The Wells home has been moved to the site of the casino from its original location a little farther east on South Street; eventually it will function as part of the Wells'Built complex for programs and activities. By the way, we now think of the word casino only in connection with gambling, but the term, from Italian, originally meant a summer house or pavilion for pleasant gatherings."

I agree 100%. Not only South Street, but also Anderson, Robinson, and yes even Orange Ave...contrary to popular belief, it will actually help keep traffic flow moving, accessibility to businesses will be better, and traffic will slow down, this making it safer. Actually South and Anderson should be two-way from Bumby all the way to OBT. When the Magic Entertainment Complex and the Soccer Stadium come online, the traffic bottle necks will become unbearable unless accessibility improves. Plus the new OPD Headquarters on South Street and OBT will be able to service the community better and faster with 2-way flow.

Your question above suggests that our Public Representatives at City Hall are manipulating in Private the future/evolution of Parramore. Wasn't the "splicing" of Parramore Ave into North/South part of the community input and the final Parramore Vision Plan or was it? Well, if the below announcement to possibly relocate the OURM homeless shelter to the corner of Terry and Anderson (the heart of the designated Parramore Historical/Cultural District) is any indication, the Parramore Vision plan isn't exactly being followed. This move makes no sense considering the Orlando Magic are going to invest $200M for an entertainment complex and Orlando City Soccer Club is spending $155M+ for the stadium and adjacent land. A second homeless shelter (in addition to the Coalition for the Homeless on Central) will be within 200 yards of these investments. This was to be the location of the South Street Mixed-Use catalyst site across the street from the Wells Built African History Museum...with a residential element. Who in their right mind would risk raising their kids or put their business next to a Homeless Shelter...unless they plan on removing the residential element and changing the zoning to commercial/office use. I can't believe the Orlando Magic or the Orlando City SC would be secure about their investments or happy about another homeless shelter so close to them. That whole section east of Parramore between South and Anderson should be an extension of the Entertainment District by adding hotels/restaurants/retail or even a Casino. Wasn't that area the site of a Casino/Hotel at one time? Orlando homeless shelter's search for new site shifts to Parramore Displaced homeless shelter could move to Parramore

I did a "Parramore" search on the Orlando forum and found this old gem of a thread....after two hours of reading, it is amazing how much creativity and foresight was displayed by some of the contributors. In light of recent developments and the new "momentum" in Parramore, I thought the dilemma of High Rise Development or not on west I-4 is appropriate to re-examine. Look back at how many highrise projects were reduced to 40 story (and below) or were canceled all together because of the stupid Executive Airport imposed height restriction. Can you imagine driving on I-4 through downtown and having mid to high rise density on both sides starting from Lake Ivanhoe all the way down to the Anderson exit and picking up again in the SoDo area...I hope I live that long! I believe the catalyst for such Highrise development on west side of I-4 is the Creative Village or Digital Media World or whatever catchy name you want to call it. All it takes is a few big name developers and some creative ones like Ustler to get together with the CEO's of UCF/Valencia/FullSail/EASports/L-1/Universal/Disney/etc., and supported by Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission to recruit other high tech and digital media companies. If half of the names above agree to move in, the vision becomes reality and before you know it big name companies from around the country and the world start knocking on your door for office space and housing. Educational institutions and Tech companies side-by-side....hmmm that concept sounds like the Medical City at Lake Nona. If the Tavistock group can pull off a Medical Village in the middle of cow pasteurs and next to a busy International airport, surely Downtown Orlando has more appeal and potential. All it needs is an elevated train connecting downtown to OIA and before you know it you have created Utopia!

Just rename the place to University Village and be done with it. If you can convince UCF, Valencia, and Full Sail to build Downtown campuses....that whole area will be hopping with activity over the next 5-10 years...ala East Berlin and before you know it will be seamlessly connected with the rest of Downtown and Parramore. I remember visiting East Berlin (early 90's) right after the wall came down and real estate pricing was cheap (relative to West Berlin) and all you could see was a "sea" of cranes lining the sky and Capitalism at its finest...what a sight!

Is the Lake Ivanhoe area, where the artsy-fartsy antique district is located, considered Uptown? I love that area and some of the establishments on that part of Orange Ave just south of Princeton....any plans on making that area more pedestrian friendly (like widening sidewalks)? Not sure why there aren't taller buildings over there...is there a zoning issue? Or is Florida Hospital (Adventist Health) waiting for the area to fall apart so they can buy it all and create more hospital beds and employee housing? I feel bad for that Panera Bread further up the street...hardly ever see people in there. If there were more storefronts and dining/entertainment options leading up to that area, perhaps people would venture up there...hope Florida Hospital does something for the neighborhood with all that property they own on north Orange Ave.

No doubt should be. Wasn't that whole block bounded by Division (E), Church (N), Terry (W), and Jackson (S) supposed to be razed to create a Town Square...named Dyer Square? If that is the case, I think Division should be renamed to Dyer Ave to go with Dyer Square...the man deserves it just for "effort'. If you don't like that, then Reunion Square and Reunion Ave will work as well. What ever the name, I can just picture that square with a grand fountain in the middle and lots of foot traffic, with mixed use skyscrapers surrounding the square 360 degrees and creating cool shady place to relax on a bench and huge LCD monitors showing re-runs of Magic and City Lion games ....(ok, the HD Supply building in not exactly a skyscraper but the rest could be)...and then, my alarm goes off and I realize I am late for work again! Keep dreaming Orlando...one day you'll get to play with the "big boys"...not sure the redneck, bible-thumping, blue-hair, suburban sprawl mentality will ever join the 21st century or allow themselves to embrace urban, progressive, creative, and growth-oriented ideas! Parramore is your blank canvas...start dreaming...for you, your children...your grandchildren! Sorry guys/gals, now I know why I never participate in these type of forums...I get carried away sometimes!

I agree with what you are proposing, but sometimes City government does not do what is best for the citizens. What is good about the Terry Ave extension is that it will have 15 feet wide sidewalks on either side of the street...if that doesn't creat foot traffic, not sure what will. It will be much wider than Park Ave in Winter Park, so I imagine the restaurants will have plenty of space for tables outside and trees to provide shading. Lucky are those who own along Terry Ave...oh wait, the City already owns all of it!

Long time UP follower and Orlando resident, first time posting, so please excuse my "nervousness". You are all so insightful and well traveled that I enjoy reading your educational posts. One common theme permeates throughout the Orlando Forum...you all seem to truly care about what the future holds for the City Beautiful and are all willing to embrace change. I believe the closing of Parramore has to do with accelerating the Terry Ave alignment which will serve as the new main North-South corridor from Colonial to 408. I believe this was the plan all along, to connect Creative Village with Downtown/408. It appears Terry Ave will be the west of I-4 version of Orange Ave and Parramore or Westmoreland will be what Summerlin is on the east. Hopefully, they will also finally 2-way the rest of Anderson and South Streets all the way to OBT..which will help traffic flow in and out of the venues. I may be naïve, but I get the feeling that the future of Downtown Orlando appears to be expanding west at a rapid pace...as it should. Catalysts such as the Soccer Stadium, Amway Center, Magic Entertainment Complex, and the Creative Village (or UCF/Valencia-West) appear to be setting the stage and laying a foundation for explosive growth. I see this area west of I-4 as a clean slate for large employers to relocate into a Central Business District and for a New Parramore to become a stellar example of culturally diverse, sustainable, and high density Urbanism. Unless families feel safe to walk and live on the other side of I-4, small businesses will not move in...nor will the Corporate giants bring jobs. My gut feeling tells me the City of Orlando and Mayor Dyer have Corporate "buy-in" and have accelerated the cleanup process...there are lots of good and proud people in Parramore and they deserve a chance to live with dignity, respect, and shed the welfare/freeloader stigma (in a drug/crime free neighborhood)...hopefully this is the real deal this time, supported by Corporate America and Capitalism...and not just the City government alone spending our tax dollars .