pip

ridiculous. completely ridiculous. So now what, a homeless person asks for some change, and you are supposed to say, sure, here you go, and put it in this meter. I can only imagine the curse-out you'd get from the homeless person. And who is going to just randomly put change in a parking meter - definitely not people parked on the street since they'll need that change for their own parking space meter! What a complete waste of $10K. It will take years for these meters to collect enough coins (if ever) to account for $10K - before the meters break, or if you add the additional cost of maintaining and repairing (if they repair them). The most likely result is that they will eventually all fall into disrepair and be broken, rusted, leaning (or laying on the ground) reminders of a terrible idea. And BTW, isn't it a LOT easier just to donate a small percentage of the existing parking meter fees and donate to homeless causes. duh!!!!

Nonna is very good and more casual style. It's the same owners as K Restaurant down the street from it in college park, which incidentally is tops for my all around favorite restaurant in the area.

IMO.. Best Italian restaurant closest to downtown - "Rocco's Italian Grill" in WP on Mills/Orlando Ave. (right next to "El Bodegon" which has pretty good Spanish itself - think Ceviche on a smaller more intimate scale). Rocco's has pretty much taken the flag Limoncello once had many years ago before their chef left and everything went downhill, eventually closing). Also on my best Italian restaurant list, though further from downtown, is "Terra Mia" in Altamonte. Either of these shouldn't dissapoint.

There is build out underway in the former Rythm & Flow space.. i have no idea what it is though, could be anything, another club, restaurant, or even a bank. anyone have any insight?

Info on new exit: http://www.trans4mation.org/?id=286

Any word on the exterior building materials (besides the glass of course). Meaning a stone facade, type of stone, etc..? (hoping not pre-cast!)

i'm starting to fear that this design will look more like something that would be best built in Savannah (hope i'm wrong). I'm all for adding a southern touch to the details, but perhaps because the architect is not local, he may be missing the point that Orlando is not a "southern" city, despite its geographic location.

Too bad about Harmoni Market. I agree about the Vue supporting restaurant dining, the area is a bit too far removed and Rosiland doesn't serve as a good street front (at least IMO). I'm excited about the Beacon Hill groups tequila bar though. they seem to be pretty solid for getting things done.

Is Rustic really that close to opening?! I never got the idea that much progress was going on there, but I admit it is difficult to peak in there with the windows and all blocked off. Hope it opens soon!

Think you're right. Their website is down as well..

and with Cold Stone seemingly NEVER OPEN, there wouldn't even be any ice cream competition. also, noticed a coming soon sign on build out for Bola italian restaurant, it now says, The Black Olive Coming Soon, I belieive. Anyone know, did this thing change hands or just names?!?

true. U-Club is leaving there regardless of how TT goes. The building is coming down eventually...

looks like the website for the Orlando Wheel is not up yet, but here's the closest thing to a rendering i can find..

Thats the first good news in a while.

this is looking gloomy. i cant beleive after all the hurdles to get funding, local sign-off on stations, etc.. that a project with the necessary funding and local approval will be killed by ignorance. The nerve of those south florida politicians who are complaining about the liability language with CSX, the same language that serves their own commuter rail just fine. unbelievable. how blatantly hypoctricial. So, any chance of negotiations with CSX going forward without the liability or will they just walk away without it?

Cold Stone is set for grand opening on Monday (May 5th). And perfect timing, I'm sure they're thrilled with the latest movie theater news. So any chance of another operator stepping in (are there even any left? i feel like we've been thru so many!)

I'd think the threat of holding back subsidies on Tri-Rail would have some impact ($$ is the best weapon afterall). Or is this an empty threat thats not very realistic?

thanks GG. i'm sure i'm not alone when i say we appreciate you keeping us up to date. good luck on keeping the ball rolling on this!!

very nice... hey anyone know what this construction is in paramore (in red box between central and church)?

thats a great idea! that would be way better than a traffic light which i think is inevitable at this point. wonder how we can get that idea out.

wow.. and thats 5 years old.

So any rumors about what retail/restaurants are going in on street level?

not surprised. we all pretty much saw this coming which was why many of us on these boards preferred that this prime piece of real estate be cleared for new construction. in any case, while i sympathize, i'm not following the HOA reserves argument. The HOA does NOT have to collect dues to cover reserves, this is up to the board and residents to vote on. I know at The Waverly we started with no reserves being collected (as was turned over to us from the developer) and slowly introduced them, first at 50% then at full 100% reserves. So yes, my HOA dues are up 65% since purchasing from the developer back in 2004 (and some of the increase has a lot to do with building insurance doubling), but I expected this. It's naive to think that the HOA dues that the developer quotes during initial purchase are even close to sufficient. It's just enough to keep the building going as is legally required. And why would any developer volunatarily quote and set dues any higher than is legally necessary??? to be nice guy?? its a high competition business and sales are what counts.

^^^ you guys are too much! so what if we spell "sic" wrong? "at high decibels [sik [sick [sic] ] ]"