Winter Garden/Ocoee/Oakland Projects

[spenser1058]

Scott J reminds us just how wonderful the Chef’s Table at the Edgewater Hotel remains. It’s the crown jewel of Winter Garden dining and the historic setting makes it so much more special than a sterile high rise would be.

https://www.scottjosephorlando.com/reviews/51-american/4898-chef-s-table-at-the-edgewater

 

[sunshine]

I ate there couple of time, it is just fair. Disney has way better restaurants.

[spenser1058]

Proposed 11-acre senior center in Stoneybrook West area of WG delayed due to neighborhood opposition:

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/commission-postpones-senior-living-proposal

From West Orange Times / Observer 

[spenser1058]

Update on proposals for Ocoee’s new City Hall:

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/ocoee-city-hall-relocation-project-takes-step-forward

From West Orange Times/ Observer 

[spenser1058]

200+ acre planned development coming north of Ocoee and most to be annexed into the city? Stay tuned:

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/commission-holds-public-hearing-on-north-ocoee-development

From West Orange Times/Observer 

[spenser1058]

Scott J does takeout via driveup at the Chef’s Table at the Edgewater Hotel in WG and declares it efficient and oh so tasty:

https://www.scottjosephorlando.com/reviews/51-american/5118-takeout-review-tasting-room-and-chef-s-table-at-the-edgewater

[spenser1058]

The Chef’s Table at the Edgewater is about to reopen and with a new executive chef. More changes afoot:

https://www.scottjosephorlando.com/news/5252-winter-garden-s-chef-s-table-hires-new-executive-chef

From Scott J

[spenser1058]

Bed Bath & Beyond to lay off 337 at its West Oaks call center as the chain also reduces its store count (so far, the nearest retail closure is Tampa):

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-ne-worker-adjustment-retraining-notification-20200623-nufebnb5ffeqhp5ufszxrm6fdy-story.html

From the Sentinel 

I always found BB&B completely unremarkable and a perfect example of why you might as well shop online. Target has infinitely more panache.
 

 

[spenser1058]

WP’s Hangry Bison coming to Plant St:

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-cfb-winter-garden-hangry-bison-20200630-jyklnve2ovedvc47pu4w6scrqm-story.html

From the Sentinel 

 

[spenser1058]

Once upon a time before it was destroyed by runoff and untreated sewage released into it, Lake Apopka was one of the finest bass fishing lakes in the country.

The Lakeview Lodge Apartments in Winter Garden was just one of twenty fish camps along the lake.

Today the Lodge is still there, owned by the City. Eventually it will be used to connect two existing city parks.

https://www.orangeobserver.com/photo-gallery/first-tales-the-story-behind-lakeview-fishing-lodge-in-winter-garden
 

From The West Orange Observer 

96-bed ALF coming to Silver Star Rd. In Ocoee:

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/ocoee-commission-approves-final-plans-for-96-bed-assisted-living-facility
 

From The West Orange Observer

[spenser1058]

Let’s head out for a fine Saturday morning in Downtown Winter Garden and all those TREES:

 

[spenser1058]

A quicker tour with a look inside the Edgewater Hotel and the Garden Theater, two restored gems that were “too far gone to be saved” until they weren’t (sound familiar?)

 

[spenser1058]

WUCF checks out the history of Winter Garden, including the Edgewater Hotel and the Garden Theater. They were beyond repair, until they weren’t. Founding Families like the Chicones and the Ropers saw what Mayor Bill and others were doing with downtown Orlando and wanted to do the same for Winter Garden.

They’ve been successful beyond their wildest dreams unlike downtown Orlando, which drifted. Why the difference? Because in Winter Garden, the families, the politicians they elected and the city managers they hired CARED and still do. Unlike the folks running Orlando these days who think Gordon Gekko is a role model.

 

[AmIReal]

Do you honestly believe WG has a more "successful" downtown than Orlando?

[AmIReal]

Since spenser has decided to block my post I'll ask the board in general. Does anyone here consider downtown WG to be more successful than downtown Orlando? If so, in what ways?

I honestly do not mean this as an attack. I'd just really like to know some peoples perspectives and spenser is not going to reply...

[jgardnerucf]

No new liquor licenses ever issued on the main drag bc the city doesn't want. You just got Tony's, Enchilada, and crap trap Pillars. That's the hold back from downtown Orlando owners trying to buy old buildings and invest. Don't get me started.

[Alleri459]

14 hours ago, AmIReal said:

Since spenser has decided to block my post I'll ask the board in general. Does anyone here consider downtown WG to be more successful than downtown Orlando? If so, in what ways?

I honestly do not mean this as an attack. I'd just really like to know some peoples perspectives and spenser is not going to reply...

I personally think it's an apples to oranges comparison since Downtown Orlando is much larger than Downtown Winter Garden and both have experienced very different growing pains. Winter Garden has done great work in revitalizing its corridor with the West Orange Trail, keeping its historic charm while allowing for new development. I do believe the City of Orlando can implement similar practices in its Main streets and neighborhood districts though.  Downtown Orlando could find an approach of establishing and focusing on a retail district using some similar placemaking practices, but would have to include more amenities and larger retail establishments, imo. 

[spenser1058]

Oakland gets ready for the big time with a new roundabout:

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/oakland-progresses-with-roundabout-plan
 

From The West Orange Times & Observer

[AmIReal]

On 9/4/2020 at 12:34 PM, aleonrivera said:

I personally think it's an apples to oranges comparison since Downtown Orlando is much larger than Downtown Winter Garden and both have experienced very different growing pains. Winter Garden has done great work in revitalizing its corridor with the West Orange Trail, keeping its historic charm while allowing for new development. I do believe the City of Orlando can implement similar practices in its Main streets and neighborhood districts though.  Downtown Orlando could find an approach of establishing and focusing on a retail district using some similar placemaking practices, but would have to include more amenities and larger retail establishments, imo. 

Very good points. I also don't think you can compare them to each other. Downtown WG is more comparable to downtown Orlando in the 1950s. WG is more appropriately compared to downtowns such as Sanford, Deland, Eustis, etc. None of those downtowns have the demand to build large scale projects in their core. It will be interesting to see how those small towns hold on to their past if demand ever catches up to them.

I keep asking posters on this forum that want to see retail downtown what specific type retail they want and where specifically they think it should be. Posters here have said a bike repair shop and a hardware store. OBJ and DDB have both done surveys of downtown residents and they more typically want to see service type retail (dry cleaners, barbers, etc) and not what most of us call retail (typical mall offerings). My vote would be more/ better food choices, but the rent prices are so high restaurants make more money off booze than food- so you end up with low end food places slinging lots of alcohol.

Where would you envision a retail district and what vendors would you expect to be in it.

[spenser1058]

Proposed mixed-use development on S. Dillard St. in WG (on the old Church of God property between Story Rd. and Cypress Ave. will bring much-needed office space close to downtown and revitalize the very ‘60’s corridor (now they just need that stretch of Dillard to go on a road diet...)

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2020/10/05/new-homes-office-to-rise-in-winter-garden.html

From OBJ 

 

 

[spenser1058]

Flooding problems at Oakland- Tildenville Cemetery to be addressed by Town :

https://www.orangeobserver.com/photo-gallery/oakland-searches-for-answers-after-cemetery-floods

From West Orange Times/Observer 

[spenser1058]

Winter Garden and the West Orange Healthcare District Will partner to build a health and wellness park on the Tucker Ranch. It will be connected to the WOT along Avalon Road:

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/winter-garden-healthcare-district-partner-for-tucker-ranch
 

From West Orange Times 

[Tim3167]

8 minutes ago, spenser1058 said:

Winter Garden and the West Orange Healthcare District Will partner to build a health and wellness park on the Tucker Ranch. It will be connected to the WOT along Avalon Road:

https://www.orangeobserver.com/article/winter-garden-healthcare-district-partner-for-tucker-ranch
 

From West Orange Times 

This is great but is that article saying that they will be building a spur of the West Orange Trail across 50 down Avalon and even extend South towards Horizon West? If that's the case, they kind of buried the lead there, no?

[spenser1058]

4 minutes ago, Tim3167 said:

This is great but is that article saying that they will be building a spur of the West Orange Trail across 50 down Avalon and even extend South towards Horizon West? If that's the case, they kind of buried the lead there, no?

Great point! I was confused about that and hoping @dcluley98 or @Jolly Roger's Crackers or one of our other trail gurus might know something about it.

[dcluley98]

I'm  not aware of anything involving this project. Don't ride the West Orange Trail much.