[Orlando] Want to park downtown? Put on some comfy shoes -- you'll be walking

[Scrub Palmetto]

Want to park downtown? Put on some comfy shoes -- you'll be walking
Downtown Orlando visitors need to think like New Yorkers, mayor says

If you're headed downtown, you'd better bring your walking shoes.

The slump is over for downtown development in Orlando, with new apartments, hotels, and sports and arts venues on the way. But extra parking isn't necessarily included.

Case in point: The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts opens this fall, and construction of a Major League Soccer stadium should begin this year, too. They'll have very different audiences, but at least one thing in common: Neither includes any new parking for patrons.

And several new private developments being built downtown will — with City Hall's encouragement — include only the bare minimum of parking spaces required by city code. Parking is already the biggest complaint about downtown, so why are city planners seemingly adding to its bad rep?

Mayor Buddy Dyer says the problem isn't the amount of parking — it's the drivers. They have to adopt a New York state of mind.

"There needs to be a little change in the mindset," Dyer said. "We have had a car mentality since at least the '50s here Florida, but if you go to New York or Washington or Chicago, you'd think nothing of walking 10 blocks."

[...]

But parking downtown won't get easier anytime soon. A city incentive program passed in 2012 encourages developers to build more "transit-oriented development" near SunRail train stations and bus stops, in return for a discount on impact fees.

One of the requirements for the cut in fees is that projects like hotels and apartment buildings include only the minimum number of parking spaces mandated by city code. It's meant to promote the use of public transit. But it also means no extra built-in parking for downtown visitors.

[...]

Full article.

Also on the page is a poll, which asks:
"Do you think the city should have allowed for more parking spaces closer to the new arts center and soccer stadium?"

As of this posting, the results are:
66.7% Yes. Parking already is a hassle and now it's going to be worse. (22 responses)
33.3% No. I don't mind walking a ways. No need to waste more space on ugly parking lots. (11 responses)
(33 total responses)

Honestly, it was nice to see the "No" votes this high, but of course it is a tiny sample.

[thelakelander]

It's nice to see another major Florida city develop its core around transit and the idea of people walking. Orlando will be a better place in the future because of those decisions being made now.

[spuwho]

I kind of like his approach but not everyone can walk the requisite 10 blocks in the Florida sun. Hopefully they will be loudly promoting shuttle services for those who are elderly or less hardy.

But I agree with him on the walking having worked in the Loop for many years. But also remember that NYC has a chronic cab congestion problem. They might not own the cars but they are willing to pay to get around.

Less of one service (parking) will bring out the others.(cabs)

[thelakelander]

^They've had a pretty decent free fare BRT system in downtown Orlando for a good decade now.  Under no circumstances should anyone have to walk 10 blocks to get to a destination in downtown Orlando.  Walk that far and you'll be in an adjacent neighborhood.

[Ocklawaha]

It's nice to see another major Florida city develop its core around transit and the idea of people walking. Orlando will be a better place in the future because of those decisions being made now.

Couldn't resist the paraphrase:

It's nice to see another major Florida city develop its core around transit and the idea of people walking. Orlando will be a bigger place in the future because of those decisions being made now. We won't.

[Jaxson]

A ten-block walk can be either a joy or a curse, depending on the city where the pedestrian decides to take said stroll.  I have walked around cities like Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston and found enjoyable walking tours of each.  Then again, walking around downtown Jacksonville for even two blocks can be demoralizing as I pass by either vacant lots or boarded-up buildings.  On the bright side, Downtown ArtWalk makes it a fun experience to wander about downtown with nothing but fun experiences for me.

[Scrub Palmetto]

It's nice to see another major Florida city develop its core around transit and the idea of people walking. Orlando will be a better place in the future because of those decisions being made now.

Couldn't resist the paraphrase:

It's nice to see another major Florida city develop its core around transit and the idea of people walking. Orlando will be a bigger place in the future because of those decisions being made now. We won't.

I don't know, Ock, I'd like to think having the closest major city to Jax's doorstep embracing these ideas could have a positive influence. Especially if Orlando, South Florida, and Tampa Bay are making these turnarounds, Jax may find itself in a state that begins to embrace them, and then it might have to secede in order to continue to resist the tide! Of course, that is just what I'd like to think... then there's tourism, and Jax has resisted that deluge pretty damn well.

[Ocklawaha]

TRUE! "Jacksonville doesn't do business with carnival people..." (Ed Ball)