Downtown Orlando Project Discussion

[FLClarkKent]

[klstorey]

 

I was walking around North Quarter on Thursday just before the rain began. 

At I-4 and Lake Ivanhoe, the beacons are being installed for the I-4 Ultimate. 

The park in front of the future Holocaust Museum is nice and green despite all the nearby construction. 

I know the park isn't part of the museum, but I assume the museum's design will take full advantage of the park and the park will see an increase in use. 

I hope this tree is saved. 

I'm also curious what will happen to these markers. It looks like some have already been removed. 

No noticable signs of its pending doom on the building. Such a shame more of this stunning building can't be saved and reused in the new museum. 

On Orange Ave, the new multi-use trail is coming along. This will really activate this neighborhood. The other side of Orange is already busier than it looks when passing in a car. 

One thing I noticed while in the area was this massive retention pond between Orange Ave and I-4. From my rough estimates, it's around 2 acres in size. I'd love to see this space reclaimed somehow. My first instinct is a boardwalk with some large sculptures on pedestals. It could also link up with the multi-use trail just on the other side of the train tracks.  Thankfully, this amazing retro building was saved. 

 

Finally, just across I-4 is a new park. It has no signage on what it's named or anything. But this is where the art piece the City got from I-4 Ultimate is going. The pad is being prepped. Once the piece is installed, I'm really curious how it'll look against the bike bridge behind it when viewed from I-4. 

Also, speaking of ways to increase park acreage in this area, this section of road is no longer active thanks to I-4. I'd love to see it integrated into the park area next to it. It could allow for a nice size pocket park for this neighborhood.  

Finally, any hope that we ever get the artwork back on these frames? I loved the retro postcards but there's so many opportunities for art pieces here. 

Edited March 13, 2022 by klstorey

[spenser1058]

The Chamber of Commerce building comes from the days when Orlando had architects who followed in the footsteps of the great like Frank Lloyd Wright instead of pandering to the lowest common denominator like Baker Barrios:

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/os-joy-wallace-dickinson-1021-story.html

From Joy Wallace Dickinson and The Sentinel.

But hey, when it comes to visors…
 

Edited March 13, 2022 by spenser1058

[popsiclebrandon]

Stayed at the DoubleTree this weekend and took this photo from the room.

 

[smileguy]

On 3/13/2022 at 4:48 PM, klstorey said:

 

No noticable signs of its pending doom on the building. Such a shame more of this stunning building can't be saved and reused in the new museum. 

The plan is to incorporate the building into the new museum.  You'll see it on the right side of this rendering. 

[dcluley98]

Project is dead in the water on funding right now AFAIK. 

[jliv]

1 hour ago, dcluley98 said:

Project is dead in the water on funding right now AFAIK. 

KInda glad to hear that.  I've always loved that building...

[smileguy]

2 hours ago, dcluley98 said:

Project is dead in the water on funding right now AFAIK. 

Latest is a $10 Million gift from Ginsburg, along with an project budget increased to $40 Million due to cost increases.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/health/os-ne-ginsburg-family-foundation-gives-40million-nemours-holocaust-center-ucf-20220302-2zf5dvdmefanbfkivxoql34ra4-story.html

[dcluley98]

It's a worthy cause.  I have just heard on the construction side that they are struggling with overall funding of the budget. The longer it goes on, the more expensive it gets to build, so the funding they are receiving is just trying to catch up with construction cost inflation at this point. They pulled the construction proposal/bid process after they funded the design process because they realized they can't afford what was designed and may have to scale back if they can't meet that with funding. 

This will continue to be an issue with construction cost in this current environment, which is why I am glad Society PH I will probably get done, but skeptical of phase II. 

I really hope the CSP2/Edge project gets done. The market is hard to make projects work right now with volatile inflation and trade shortage due to large ongoing projects still. 

Edited March 16, 2022 by dcluley98

[codypet]

On 3/13/2022 at 4:48 PM, klstorey said:

Finally, any hope that we ever get the artwork back on these frames? I loved the retro postcards but there's so many opportunities for art pieces here. 

I imagine this was required during the proposal.  The city can't levy fines for non-compliance with the terms of the design?

[prahaboheme]

11 hours ago, dcluley98 said:

It's a worthy cause.  I have just heard on the construction side that they are struggling with overall funding of the budget. The longer it goes on, the more expensive it gets to build, so the funding they are receiving is just trying to catch up with construction cost inflation at this point. They pulled the construction proposal/bid process after they funded the design process because they realized they can't afford what was designed and may have to scale back if they can't meet that with funding. 

This will continue to be an issue with construction cost in this current environment, which is why I am glad Society PH I will probably get done, but skeptical of phase II. 

I really hope the CSP2/Edge project gets done. The market is hard to make projects work right now with volatile inflation and trade shortage due to large ongoing projects still. 

Why not kick things off in the Chamber building before ramping up to the expansion building?  That would give them the ability to raise awareness with an actual presence on the ground.

[spenser1058]

While the concept sure makes sense, there may not be enough space. The building’s actual useable space is deceptive from outside.

I volunteered for the Chamber in college and the building always made me claustrophobic.

When the building was designed in the ‘60’s, the Chamber staff wasn’t all that big and the impressive building mattered a lot more than the amount of usable space.

[JFW657]

Go up, up, up, up, UP!!!!! 

[spenser1058]

10 minutes ago, JFW657 said:

Go up, up, up, up, UP!!!!! 

 

@Neo’s new ad for Urban Planet?

[TRENCH]

Saw some people on the roof this Tuesday. Hopefully it means that they will finally move on with the renovations…… or just bulldoze it and build a 30 story building like they should lol 

[spenser1058]

1 minute ago, W7edwin said:

Saw some people on the roof this Tuesday. Hopefully it means that they will finally move on with the renovations…… or just bulldoze it and build a 30 story building like they should lol 

Just don’t mess with Southeast Steel!

[codypet]

On 3/19/2022 at 4:15 PM, W7edwin said:

Saw some people on the roof this Tuesday. Hopefully it means that they will finally move on with the renovations…… or just bulldoze it and build a 30 story building like they should lol 

It's just the Be Sharps Reunion!

Edited March 21, 2022 by codypet

[jrs2]

On 3/19/2022 at 4:15 PM, W7edwin said:

Saw some people on the roof this Tuesday. Hopefully it means that they will finally move on with the renovations…… or just bulldoze it and build a 30 story building like they should lol 

wow, that is a bigger building than it looks like at first glance...  looks like a setting for a '70's action movie roof sequence

[spenser1058]

2 hours ago, jrs2 said:

wow, that is a bigger building than it looks like at first glance...  looks like a setting for a '70's action movie roof sequence

Remember, that building was constructed for the army of lawyers AT&T planned to hire to fight the split of the Bell System. At the last minute, they chose not to. It was a decision that has been debated ever since.

[bqknight]

Cucina Pizza & Bar looks to have opened on Church St. after having their sign up for...years. Looked at the menu and to my surprise it's full service Italian. Hope it's good and succeeds. 

[Jernigan]

Just read that the group that purchased the Veranda just bought Thorton Park Central.  Was that still owner by Ustler Group?

Asking because Ustler also just sold the GAI building.  Perhaps gearing up for something new?

[spenser1058]

5 minutes ago, Jernigan said:

Just read that the group that purchased the Veranda just bought Thorton Park Central.  Was that still owner by Ustler Group?

Asking because Ustler also just sold the GAI building.  Perhaps gearing up for something new?

I think it had been previously bought by some insurance group or other. I think Ustler’s been out of it for a while.

[popsiclebrandon]

2 hours ago, Jernigan said:

Just read that the group that purchased the Veranda just bought Thorton Park Central.  Was that still owner by Ustler Group?

Asking because Ustler also just sold the GAI building.  Perhaps gearing up for something new?

He seems to be focused on CV. I assume he has a few more buildings planned over there.

[AmIReal]

2 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

I think it had been previously bought by some insurance group or other. I think Ustler’s been out of it for a while.

Ustler did still own TPC and GAI. The Verandah was owned by an insurance firm. Ustler recently closed on 3 lots in CV and is developing those buildings- the hotel Moxie, another apartment building and an office building.

From OBJ- "The sale of Thornton Park Central Retail and the GAI Building were intentional to give me more time to focus on Creative Village and Health Village," Ustler told Orlando Business Journal.

Edited April 4, 2022 by AmIReal

[spenser1058]

Of course, it’s somewhat moot - Craig hasn’t had an, ummm, creative thought since he and Phil parted ways. He’s just a full-fledged suit now. Of course, that’s what we prefer in Orlando so it was probably a good idea for him.