Elements of Urbanism: Orlando

copperfiend · January 15, 2009, 10:54:48 AM

I am always interested when I see a Publix like the one in Lake Eola. I wonder if a design like that was ever considered when the new Publix was built in Riverside, Tinsletown or the SJTC?

Doctor_K · January 15, 2009, 11:13:57 AM

(snort)
My money's on 'no'.

copperfiend · January 15, 2009, 11:20:14 AM

I figured. It was more of a rhetorical question.

thelakelander · January 15, 2009, 11:28:40 AM

Jax is just about as architecturally conservative as it comes. The delayed San Marco publix will be just as urban as Orlando's. However, the architectural style will reflect the historic neighborhood it will serve.

East San Marco

Doctor_K · January 15, 2009, 11:33:16 AM

Oh I'm of the same opinion regarding architectural style, Lake. And I will gladly cheer when an 'urban' Publix is built - in the forthcoming East San Marco or elsewhere.

I'll just reserve belief until I see it actually happen. Between typical poor planning and a sour economy and market, I wonder if it will ever come.

(How awesome would that downtown Winn-Dixie be, if it had a good 4-9 stories of residential above it, eh? Better yet, how great would my beloved SJTC have been if it had been built in even a slightly more vertical fashion?)

TD* · January 15, 2009, 12:16:52 PM

Nice pictures, however the writer needs work. The article is awkward to read, and the flow is interrupted by mangled sentence structure, and incorrect word choice.

JeffreyS · January 15, 2009, 12:18:07 PM

Is Winn Dixie no longer a fortune 500?

thelakelander · January 15, 2009, 12:40:16 PM

JeffreyS, Winn-Dixie is a Fortune 500, but not located downtown.

Quote from: TD* on January 15, 2009, 12:16:52 PM
Nice pictures, however the writer needs work. The article is awkward to read, and the flow is interrupted by mangled sentence structure, and incorrect word choice.

A lot of the neighborhood description text comes from wikipedia. Nevertheless, we could always use a proofreader. Send a PM if you're interested.

ProjectMaximus · January 15, 2009, 01:28:22 PM

What a coincidence! I just felt like rereading the old learning from Orlando last night, so it was fresh in my mind when I saw this new article! Interesting to see how much has changed over the last two years...and what hasnt (still waiting on that 12-screen movie theater?)

Thornton Park looks great...and a very nice Publix there, too.

Did not realize UCF was the 6th largest student body in the country! Is that total enrollment of grad/undergrad/part time?

Very jealous of their Little Vietnam. I've been there several times to eat...terrific.

Jason · January 15, 2009, 02:45:52 PM

I spent a few months in Orlando this past spring and summer and was easily impressed with Orlando and Winter Park. Once you shed the image of the theme parks, the City of Orlando is a fantastic oasis in an otherwise suburban sprawl fest. The core is not as large as Jax, but that also seems to be one of its strengths because more activity is clustered closer together.

All in all, Jax still has the upper hand when it comes to potential and historic appeal.

Basstacular · January 15, 2009, 05:15:04 PM

I am born and raised in Jacksonville, but spent six years in Orlando going to UCF. The Downtown in Orlando is absolutely phenomenal. Was close to getting my parents to help me buy a place at The Waverly. The connectivity from Thorton park (restored vintage single family housing) to the core of the Downtown nightlife and high-rise living is superb in my opinion. I still make it down every few months to party with old friends and it leaves me truly yearning sometimes. However, keep the faith. With the right leaders and proper planning, our Downtown can achieve this status and beyond hopefully.

GideonGlib · January 16, 2009, 11:22:03 AM

If Jacksonville and it's lack of good development and historic preservation ever gets you down, you can rely on looking at Orlando, and all it hideousness to cheer you up.

EP · January 21, 2009, 12:10:40 AM

I think it is obvious that Orlando made a conscious effort to bring residential into the downtown area. Look at all of those condo projects (Waverly, Sanctuary, 101 Eola, Vue, Metropolitan, Dynetech, Solaire, Star Tower, Osceola Brownstones, Thornton Park Central). It really helps the commercial to have a solid residential base. Now the base is strong enough to support a 30,000 sf Publix. There are a ton of bars downtown, which make the city active past the 9-5 window.

One other thing... don't forget about SunRail. http://www.sunrail.com/ This could be huge for the region.

Surfjaxpier · February 18, 2009, 03:01:24 PM

This is a great article, but it overlooks one of the best examples of Neo traditional developments in the state, Baldwin Park. It's to the immediate northeast of the VI MI district and was developed on former military facility. The best part is that it has been incorporated into the existing neighborhood fabric of Winter Park. No gates, no cul de sacs, and although there is ample surface parking, it's well hidden behind structures which address the street. Unlike most New Urbanist projects, it's probably one of the best in Florida which is truly represents infill redevelopment.