dpalum

I think zoning may be a problem. I know that there are several warehouses and factories in the Paramore/Callahan Neighborhood. Also, crime is still a problem there, which would likely keep developers out--especially in this economy. I think that maintaining the character of a neighborhood while gentrifying it is a difficult endeavor in a thriving economy, but now that development is stagnant it is all the more challenging to provide affordable housing while realizing a return on one's investment. That said, development seem to be spurting-up in the area. Besides the new Events Center, I recently saw a new development in the southern part of the neighborhood near Gore st. The city tore down the Carver Court projects that were there several years ago and have now replaced it with a multistory development. I would love to see Paramore revitalized, but such development should be done with the intent of maintaining its character as the oldest historically black neighborhood in the city.

That should be the hope. City/County/Regional planners have to look for alternatives to highway construction/widening. If Orlando is really to grow, then growth aught to be focused more on the urban core rather than the outerlying suburbs. The development along 429 is sure to cause increased traffic on the westside, but widening the 408 to 8 lanes seems a bit unecessary at this junction. I think I'd rather see some sort of light-rail along the east/west corridor before I see a 8-10 lane 408 expressway. But, who knows... right?

They probably do not expect 408 to be as heavily used on the west as it is on the east. 408 is really the only way to get to anything on the east part of town (with the exception of 528 and OIA), but the west has 408 and I-4. I don't know. I've always lived out west and the 408 just doesn't seem to see the amount of traffic on the westside as the eastside.

I am a native of Orlando but currently reside in ATL--these building are actually tall. The illusion works in some cases, but not much is needed to give the impression of hieght for these building. For example, One Atlantic Center--one of the tallest in the city--does not really give the impression of being so. I actually think that the design takes away from its appearance of hieght, especially compared to the shorter surrounding buildings in midtown ATL. I work right across the street from it, but from a distance, it does not really impress with its' hieght. Nevertheless, the orientation of the courthouse does give the impression of hieght, and the balconies that will line the east and western facades of the VUE will really help to give this building a taller look. It will look really amazing at night.

I don't know, but it just seems as though there was not forethought into the building of the overpass. Had they actually built that fourth lane over JYP, I-4 would be a continuous stretch of 8-lane highway from 408 to Kirkman (which is necessary considering the development along this corridor). Are they not going to construct additional lanes in the future? If so, why put-off till tomorrow what can be done today? It just seems as though they went terribly out of the way just to build a single off-ramp.

Yeah, coming into downtown on I-4 from the west it looks as though the north crane is taller. It bears repeating, but, downtown will really undertake an entirely new look with the completion of these projects.

Well, I guess what I meant by "housing crisis" is the overabundance of homes/townhomes/condos currently on the market that are beyond the budget of our middle-class residents. Maybe crisis is an inaccurate description. I guess what would be nice to see in Parramore would be an urban neighborhood along the lines of Eola Heights that is priced more along the lines of North Pine Hills (circa North Ave). I guess my only hope is that this neighborhood is--in the words of Dyer--revitalized, but maintains its historical and cultural heritage. And I guess that is what Dyer plans to do. Right?

It looks as though they are constructing the second crane.

I was driving West on Washington through Parramore and noticed a sign near the new Federal Courthouse that said "Luxury Condos Coming Soon." Anyone know anything about this? Is it apart of the redevelopment/gentrification of Parramore? I will see if I can get more info on this. I really would have thought--especially considering the recent housing price crisis here in Central Florida--that Parramore's redevelopment would cater more to the middle and lower-middle class rather than otherwise. If Dyer wants to truly revitalize downtown, I think he should start attempting to bring the middle-class into Parramore.

Has anyone ever thought about the traffic problems that these new residential/retail developments might potentially cause? I am all for density, but Orlando's roads (especially downtown) are already congested at night and rushhour, 55west and PTP will no doubt create even more headaches on Orange Ave.

Won't be long now... weather permitting. What do you think would happen if a major storm hit Orlando like Charlie in '04? (Knock on wood of course!)

I was in that post office not too long ago--the architecture is really amazing. It would be nice to bring some kind of night life to that part of downtown.

Anyone know how many more floors to go on Solaire?