Downtown Orlando Project Discussion

[dcluley98]

The point was to update what was there to preserve the style and look, but with updated and better finishes.  They are replacing the entire arcade system with a new one  with nickel finish along with nickel accents around the window/door frames, and updated lighting systems. Basically it's a refresh to bring the building back to its former glory while preserving the architectural style and neon signage, etc. 

[codypet]

On 4/3/2020 at 7:26 PM, orlandouprise said:

how does this look any better? Am I missing something? From the renderings,  it looks just like what is there now.

Well right now the old awning collapsed.   So this is an improvement. 

[spenser1058]

Back in the days of urban renewal, many churches, particularly in the South, which had been in downtown locations probably since their founding, came to embrace the concept of the megachurch. 

These arenalike buildings were huge and required a lot more land than traditional downtown sanctuaries generally have.

Downtown Jacksonville’s First Baptist Church embraced this concept but chose to remain in place and proceeded to level a number of Jax’s historic buildings, some dating back to the days after the Great Fire in the early 20th Century. In their place, First Baptist built a structure that may be most charitably referred to as “big”.

https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/first-baptist-churchs-historic-demolition-derby/

From The Jaxson

In the early 1980’s, Pastor Jim Henry of Orlando’s First Baptist was confronted with a similar situation. Dr. Henry (later to become president of the Southern Baptist Convention during a contentious period when he would be a moderating influence on the denomination), chose to go a different route.

He left the downtown church’s attractive 1950’s traditional building in place and set up a separate congregation for those who did not wish to move. 

By default, he also saved several blocks of the historic downtown core.

The bulk of Dr. Henry’s church relocated in a new megachurch at I4 and (what would become) John Young Parkway. Both his church and Downtown Orlando thrived.

Today, Downtown Jacksonville is still trying to recover from decisions to ignore the special nature of Florida’s oldest major city.

Thanks to Dr. Henry, Downtown Orlando became a vibrant neighborhood once again because he valued our past.

It’s sad there is a loud minority out there who still do not understand how precious what we have is.

Edited April 6, 2020 by spenser1058

[JFW657]

6 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

Back in the days of urban renewal, many churches, particularly in the South, which had been in downtown locations probably since their founding, came to embrace the concept of the megachurch. 

These arenalike buildings were huge and required a lot more land than traditional downtown sanctuaries generally have.

Downtown Jacksonville’s First Baptist Church embraced this concept but chose to remain in place and proceeded to level a number of Jax’s historic buildings, some dating back to the days after the Great Fire in the early 20th Century. In their place, First Baptist built a structure that may be most charitably referred to as “big”.

https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/first-baptist-churchs-historic-demolition-derby/

From The Jaxson

In the early 1980’s, Pastor Jim Henry of Orlando’s First Baptist was confronted with a similar situation. Dr. Henry (later to become president of the Southern Baptist Convention during a contentious period when he would be a moderating influence on the denomination), chose to go a different route.

He left the downtown church’s attractive 1950’s traditional building in place and set up a separate congregation for those who did not wish to move. 

By default, he also saved several blocks of the historic downtown core.

The bulk of Dr. Henry’s church relocated in a new megachurch at I4 and (what would become) John Young Parkway. Both his church and Downtown Orlando thrived.

Today, Downtown Jacksonville is still trying to recover from decisions to ignore the special nature of Florida’s oldest major city.

Thanks to Dr. Henry, Downtown Orlando became a vibrant neighborhood once again because he valued our past.

It’s sad there is a loud minority out there who still do not understand how precious what we have is.

Who and where are they?

[Jernigan]

Just noting there’s a possible new tower proposed in the Zoi parcel/Zoi thread on here in case anyone had tuned out there but want to chime in 

[ucfpatriot18]

[spenser1058]

Well. I would much rather have had them fill up the old Church of the Nazarene lot across the street which is just asphalt parking these days.

Good to see the pandemic has reintroduced the idea of affordable senior housing downtown (yes, Ms. Ponte, this is where VMC actually belonged - too bad you were too busy jet-hopping to learn anything about the community).

Anyway, if it must be done, we have a big job for Super Arbor Man as there are three huge oaks right by the street that need to be saved.

[Jernigan]

37 minutes ago, spenser1058 said:

Well. I would much rather have had them fill up the old Church of the Nazarene lot across the street which is just asphalt parking these days.

Good to see the pandemic has reintroduced the idea of affordable senior housing downtown (yes, Ms. Ponte, this is where VMC actually belonged - too bad you were too busy jet-hopping to learn anything about the community).

Anyway, if it must be done, we have a big job for Super Arbor Man as there are three huge oaks right by the street that need to be saved.

Here’s the staff report for Mariposa Groves

ZON2020-10009_MPL_Project_Overview.pdf

[uncreativeusername]

10 minutes ago, Jernigan said:

Here’s the staff report for Mariposa Groves

ZON2020-10009_MPL_Project_Overview.pdf 1.06 MB · 1 download

Wow. This building has four backs...

[nite owℓ]

1 hour ago, uncreativeusername said:

Wow. This building has four backs...

Baby got backs.

Edited May 2, 2020 by nite owℓ

[spenser1058]

11 minutes ago, nite owℓ said:

Baby got backs.

Captain Picard: “There are FOUR backs!”

[smileguy]

2 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

Anyway, if it must be done, we have a big job for Super Arbor Man as there are three huge oaks right by the street that need to be saved.

Looks like they're saving them, which will keep me from saying "Maybe this won't look so bad once the trees fill in" for once.

[uncreativeusername]

3 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

Captain Picard: “There are FOUR backs!”

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Affordable Housing (Somewhat)

Mariposa Groves | Thorton Park 

 

153 Units on 0.6 acres.

 

Rendering courtesy of Orlando Business Journal

 

 

 

[nite owℓ]

I wonder how the unit owners at Star Tower feel about an affordable housing development getting built next door to their building. I've always imagined there would eventually be a dense cluster of luxury apartments/condos in South Eola surrounding Star Tower and The Sanctuary, but it seems like they are increasingly being surrounded by buildings that are not up to snuff. I guess the only upside is that Mariposa Groves is more geared towards senior housing (quiet neighbors).

Not being a snob by any means, but with luxury condos in WP near Park Ave priced around $1M, it just would've been nice to see some more upscale residential projects built downtown is all.

[spenser1058]

For me, it’s pretty simple: if I had $1 million, I’d much rather spend it on a nice home in Lake Cherokee/Lake Davis or Eola Heights and Park Lake than in a condo canyon at South Eola.

There are a lot of cities that lost their close-in neighborhoods years ago to urban renewal and/or megahighways. Thankfully, Orlando didn’t (and thanks to Mayor Bill for saving them by statute!) 

This is a feature, not a bug, imho.

 

 

 

[dcluley98]

Fifth/Third Eola Centre Building Hardscape/Landscape update: 

The lot is fenced off all around the building and NW corner of the park including the area directly behind Relax Grille and up against the old bathroom area. They have torn up the old parking lot. 

[spenser1058]

It’s interesting they’re finally doing something here. They’ve been talking about various changes for years, including a total reskinning of the exterior. Other than tearing down the old Atlantic Bank drive-ins, though, it doesn’t look all that different from when it started out as the Hartford Building in the ‘70’s.

[JFW657]

Maybe they're putting in a nice, shiny, brand-new... surface parking lot!!!! 

[codypet]

I thought that was what they were doing.

[dcluley98]

Yes, that is what they are doing, but with WAY more trees (and  canopy shade trees).  They also are updating the NW corner to be a closed in kind of outdoor park for the building with a couple of pavilions and don't forget PING-PONG tables. 

http://www.cityoforlando.net/city-planning/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2018/07/ARB2018-10021report.pdf

[spenser1058]

Ooooh ping pong (but didn’t The Donald tell us not to like China anymore?)

[Jernigan]

Also removing 2 out of 3 entrances on Robinson and giving some land to city to allow for cycle track.

[JFW657]

It would be extra nice if they'd use some type of brick pavers instead of asphalt for the parking area.

The old style that the surrounding streets are paved with would be the best.

[spenser1058]

I’d be happy to donate the bricks from h*ll on Summerlin to help!

Edited May 12, 2020 by spenser1058