pomegranate

The Sentinel's new downtown blogger, Kieran Fitzpatrick, has a post about the many problems going on at the Metropolitan. Apparently the renovations were so shoddy that there have been multiple special assessments, condo fees have more than doubled, and now 40% of the residents are simply not paying the condo fees because everything is breaking. http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/community...etropoli-1.html I'm surprised this hasn't been in the news more.

From the Colonialtown blog on the Orlando Sentinel web site: "As some of you have asked in the comments about what is happening there and some have pointed out that dirt piles have moved. Justin Pelloni, the developer, sent along an update at the end of December. Sorry about taking long to put it up but here it is: We have a delay relating to the final FDOT approval. The City traffic department has committed to help us with this. This issue needs to be resolved prior to us getting a final plat. So, once we have the FDOT approval we will attempt to expedite the final plat. I hope all this will take less than two months. Otherwise, we are ready to start the site improvements. Remember that construction starts slow and typically means a lot of work then analysis on what is still weird with the site and then more work again. Stop and go. When it starts rolling it will go quick. Hopefully I will have more on the stages and what is to fill it soon. "

Whoops, spoke too soon. They're back up now.

Well, for what it's worth, this morning some guys were out there removing the chain link fence on the perimeter of the property, along Mills.

H&M? You don't mean H&M the clothing retailer do you? Also --- has anyone actually confirmed that Rave will be operating the theaters? I know (Sentinel theater critic) Roger Moore blogged about that rumor in early July, but now I see this in Mike Thomas' blog: "Also, anyone know what happened to the downtown theaters at Solaire? Word has it that the theater companies are skeptical because there isn

Well said!

Also -- how can they even firm up their design plans until this property issue has been resolved with the nearby church? I know they can design it around the church, but they have to know one way or another what exact property they're dealing with. It's really a shame that all of this couldn't have been ironed out in advance.

Just curious, where is that billboard located? I wonder if there are any others. That would be great!

I am just curious. The Sentinel says that the performing arts center is projected to be completed in 2012. Is that really true? Five years --- Why so long?

It's about TIME!!!

Did anyone attend the Colonialtown Neighborhood Assn. meeting to hear Pelloni's presentation last week? I am eager for more details. A friend who was there told me he was discussing a market of some sort (Fresh Market? just speculating here); as well as some sort of possible partnership with the Orlando Museum of Art (subsidized gallery space within the development). Also, Pelloni is talking with the guy who owns Beacon about placing a high end, Hue type of restaurant there. My friend couldn't stay for the whole meeting so he only heard part of it. I would love more info but I can't find anything specific on Pelloni's web site.

Buyer beware... these big box wine stores lure in the customers with what appears to be low prices on what really is inferior wine that was discarded by the wineries. Then the juice brokers add a bunch of sugar, give it a catchy label like Big Ass Cab ... and then mark it up 80%. There are plenty of small local wine shops that refuse to sell that type of stuff. Park Wine Merchants on Corrine has excellent selection of "party wines" for about $5 for example....from private wineries around the world.

You are correct. Some that are closer to Orange Ave. were built earlier, 1910 I think. The railroad depot was built in 1890 and is on the national register; and the Bumby hardware building (where Toojays is located) was built in 1886 by Joe Bumby, a London expat who later planted orange groves in what is now Thornton Park. (Some of those orange trees are still there...) Unfortunately the Bumby building is not on the national register, and seems unlikely to get that designation because that would require consent from the property owner. I agree, there are still plenty of areas around downtown that are best redeveloped, and I am eager for that to happen, but IMO it would be a shame to lose this one last block of old Orlando. That section of Church Street was the original Main and Main; it was a hub of activity for pioneer citrus farmers and frontier families due to the train depot. There are so many cool stories from those days; it really was like the wild west in a lot of ways -- cowboys drinking and brawling in the streets on Saturday nights, a Hatfields and McCoys type of family feud that went on for years between the local Mizells and Barbers, alligator wrestling in the streets, razorback hogs running loose through downtown.... One time a posse hunted down a cattle rustler in the Conway area. They dragged him back to Lake Eola, and took him out in a boat. They told him that if he could make it out of the lake without drowning, they would let him live. Then they tied a heavy ox plow to his back, pushed him overboard, and watched from the shore as he struggled. Of course a small crowd had gathered by now. Somehow he made it. As he staggered out of the water, they laughed and said they were just kidding. Then they shot him dead on the spot... Ever since I heard that story, I never looked at Lake Eola in quite the same way! http://www.frommers.com/destinations/orlando/0022020044.html

Orange: Let's wait to vote on venues David Damron Sentinel Staff Writer March 24, 2007 Florida lawmakers' drive to overhaul property taxes could further delay a vote to approve Orlando's $1 billion downtown sports and arts venues deal. Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty's top manager on Friday told commissioners it would be prudent to delay an anticipated April vote to approve a new arena, performing-arts center and Citrus Bowl renovations. "Given the tax-reform uncertainty and the potentially unfavorable outcomes on the property taxes," County Administrator Ajit Lalchandani wrote in a memo, "prudence requires us to avoid prematurely finalizing a community venues funding plan until the legislative session ends in early May." A vote by Orange County and Orlando commissioners now appears likely in mid-May at the earliest. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/...eadlines-orange

Lake Eola project may sprout hotel rooms Initially a 31-story condo tower, The Cristal will now be a mix of condo units and a hotel. Jack Snyder Sentinel Staff Writer March 21, 2007 Developer Mark Kinchla is convinced the window has closed on big condominium projects in downtown Orlando. "I don't believe you're going to see 200- to 300-unit projects any time soon," he said Tuesday. "You need smaller projects with a unique appeal to make things work these days." That's why Kinchla and his partners, Concorde Eastridge Inc. of Washington, D.C., are drastically modifying their proposal for 170 E. Washington St., overlooking Lake Eola. First planned as a 31-story, 187-condo tower, the project has been changed to a 240-room hotel with 55 condominiums on the top floors. The tower, called The Cristal, would be built on the southwest corner of Washington and Rosalind Avenue. The property, which now has a small office building on it, is across the street from Lake Eola between St. George Greek Orthodox Church and The Metropolitan at Lake Eola condominiums. Read more here.... http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/custom...rowth-headlines

Judge OKs loan for Church Street Developer Cameron Kuhn's $500,000 loan will keep the complex open. He also offered $40M to buy it. Sara K. Clarke {sodEmoji.|} Pedro Ruz Gutierrez and Scott Powers, Sentinel Staff Writers Posted February 27, 2007 STORY GALLERY The businesses at Church Street Station will be able to keep the lights on and the patrons coming in, after a bankruptcy judge approved financing Monday for the complex that, until recently, was controlled by Orlando businessman Lou Pearlman. The loan -- approved at $500,000 -- is intended to pay the bills until attorneys can secure a buyer for the downtown Orlando complex. FF Station LLC, the company that owns Church Street Station, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Feb. 20. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/or...iness-headlines So Kuhn is offering $40 million. Doesn't that seem low? Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the property sell for $50 million or more back in the '80s when Bob Snow got rid of it? Even considering the fact that Church Street isn't the tourist destination it once was, property values have obviously skyrocketed since then.

Absolutely! It wasn't so long ago, about six years ago, you could find decent houses on large lots downtown for well under $130k. Who would have thought.... I got my house for $120k in 2000. One sixth an acre, 1,450 square feet. Today there's a run down, 450-square foot shack for sale around the corner, on a sliver of land just about the size of the house. Asking price: $170k.

Me too. I don't see how they can call it a "condo bust" when downtown is literally undergoing a renaissance of construction activity. I guess the media always has to see the glass as half empty.

Plans for towers take a tumble Downtown Orlando condo bust: 41 projects -- but 15 built or now rising Jack Snyder {sodEmoji.|} Sentinel Staff Writer Posted February 25, 2007 http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/...-home-headlines I think the real story is that our skyline has doubled in a short period. Among the projects that haven't yet broken ground -- if we could just get one more, I hope it's Tradition Towers.

Hmm, good point.

Does anyone know why that one building on the south end of the property (along Virginia Drive) is being painted and fixed up? I thought everything was going to be demolished.

The other day I noticed a lot of wood boards that had been fitted into windows in lieu of glass... I wonder if that is a temporary fix so they can start finishing off some of the interior....

BTW -- does anyone realize we STILL do not have a liquor store downtown? Anyone who wants to make a mint should look into that venture.

Now that Fifi's Patisserie is open, maybe there will be more foot traffic in the area. Passed by Beacon today, and it looked so lonely and desolate - all the menus sitting on top of tables with nobody there. That orange patio furniture is horrid. It has got to go. Fifi's on the other hand is very chic and inviting. My friend and I were there today.... highlights: French onion soup with gruyere crouton, butternut squash ravioli with frizzled sage.... and the host kept sending over tastes of dessert from the pastry case. The chocolate-pistachio truffles are to die for. Still, it's so oddly quiet over there. With 101 Eola under construction right across the street, we couldn't help thinking that a year from now, it's going to be a zoo before long.

I agree that a million dollar asking price is a ridiculous notion. But for Pelloni to claim that the value is more in the $20 to $40 per square foot range? Let's say $40 per square foot for a 5,250 square foot property.... that would be just over $200k for a property right on Mills. That's too low. I wonder if Pelloni was quoted correctly?