Magicfan95

As close as you can get, if the arena is like the virtual arena setup at Church Street Station...wow.

So much of this venue has been put inside. It will be the nicest arena in the NBA when all is said and done. Just like with the PAC, building something crazy and abstract would be fun, but it would look so out of place in such a conservative area of town. I'm happy with the arena design and I've been in the virtual box tours which give you an idea of how the arena will look from inside. There will be nothing disappointing with this facility.

It seems like too many on here want something crazy that is unlike anything we've seen before. The problem with those designs is that, unless they are the Guggenheim or Sydny Opera House, they tend to wear on people over time and date very easy. Especially in a conservative city like Orlando. I prefer a design that looks different, but won't wear off over time. Personally, like the arena, I think this design is perfect for Orlando. A very abstract building would be nice, but it would look so out of place in the downtown area.

It's hard to describe, but it's the same idea as in the 80s when develops were using junk bonds to build projects.

None. just a brain fart. I'll see if I can find the article on it.

No. It's an old invester/builder trick (Trump is famous for it) Get deposits and use that money in high interest accounts to get the project off the ground. Then cancel all contracts/deposits, pay everyone back, pay the federal penalty, and move on. Just shady dealing.

Eh. Maybe from an outsider's view, but if you ask them, they are struggling. The rent is very high and the construction has killed a lot of business. Some of the owners have formally made a complaint with the city and are threatening to break leases at this point. The delays in 55W constructions have really hurt Church Street's viability...for now. Hopefully the businesses stick around for long enough. I know one in that strip say at this point they aren't

That is Boston though, not Orlando. Different lifestyles, and it's not changing anytime soon.

Doubt it, it will be sold to the first buyer as the proceeds of the sale of the land are slated to be put towards the arena

Charlotte did for awhile, as has Cincinnati. Sad, hopefully we can get this back up once the state budget gets a tad bit more in line.

I understand, my point is if the city starts completing privately owned and built complexes (outside of tax breaks and other funding they've provided) it's just going to open a can of worms. Once the market rebounds someone will use that space or complete it, just a matter of waiting. Your likely going to see the PAC start well before the Citrus Bowl.

With what money? I just don't think any is avail to pay for stuff like this.

It's here for WrestleMania.

The prices will only go up, but you have to be in for the VERY LONG term. It will be 10 years before a Solaire Condo is at a good resell level after you include associaition fees and other costs after paying the 170,000. My wife and I discussed buying one, not to live in, but to invest. After talking to a good friend who is in the know, he talked us out of it. As the flippers/investers have learned, condos can be a tough market.

Unlike Orlando's venues the Rays and St. Pete have kept this on the wraps because they know there will be a public outcry of how and what money is being spent. It looks like most will come from public taxes and not the TDT or CRA that was used here. This is probably going on referedum in Nov and will be shot down. I just can't see a team that has done so poorly on the field, in attendance, and in the community getting 300 Million + for a new stadium. Not yet at least. Cool design though.

Truthfully it was robust, but so many condos flooded the market it died. I fully believe at this point that 55W is the last major condo tower going up for awhile.

It is because the market is saturated and down right now....Give it a few years and everything will be filled out.

Not trying to be negative about the movie theater, but Seattle has much more of a central (and young) population base than Orlando and many other Southern cities. Theaters downtown just don't work because most the suburbanites aren't going to drive downtown for a movie. Atlanta has one near Five Points, but it does aweful. Channelside in Tampa's theater is very similar. Clearly the whole idea of "restaraunt row" and other areas in the suburbs have established that entertainment means like movie theaters, etc are best put to the outskirts of the city at this point.

It's pretty cool, they are widening the concourses etc, to bring it to a more modern setting.

No, but it will be similar. That was just an aspirational design to give people a visual.

Tim, I wouldn't worry. The Statute says directly the 6th cent can be spent on advertising OR professional sports venues. Rosen was just grasping at straws. The taxes being used to front the project (tourist and CRA) do not require a referendum so I don't you'll see a problem there. The CRA was approved in 1982 and those funds can be used on anything to redevelop within the footprint.

Thats what I posted the other day, I had heard it through a good source. However, not sure if maybe he was confused because both were signing contracts. Either way it's a nice deal.

I believe the current agreement for UF/Miami was because the NCAA originally only granted the 12th game in years where the opening weekend started in August, giving them 15 weeks of a season. That would have been 2008 and 2013; even after the 12th game that deal stuck. Yes they played in Tampa in 1984

It's 2008 and 2013. I doubt UF will agree to any games at the Citrus Bowl unless it's a one game deal with a team. UF makes over $3M per home game in a stadium that is filled no matter what. FSU draws similarly (I am a UF alum, but not trying to bash FSU), however the distance of the drive leaves some smaller games less attended. That is a reason why FSU has been willing to play the Citrus Bowl in some capacity. UF on the otherhand is less than 2 hours away, it's pointless for them to lose money on a game just to hold it in Orlando. On Miami's end, their home game against UF is a guarenteed sellout, something that is not common for them.

Just not a fan of the design. Just looks like a very large apartment complex. Forgive me for finding it ugly.