About This Episode
On this Orlando Update we discuss the latest in the delayed development of a new Walt Disney Office in Lake Nona.
Orange Country Mayor Jerry Demings had an issue with the proposed development district by Universal Orlando. Demings brought up his concerns saying he wasn’t told about the proposed new community development district until just 10 minutes before a Jan. 5 meeting.
Some nightclub operators and the city are at odds over proposed policies in downtown’s entertainment district. An ordinance to limit the opening of new clubs for at least six months and a new rule that would require businesses in downtown that serve alcohol after midnight to get a special permit to do so.
The Orlando International Airport wants another onsite hotel — and is looking for some help to make that happen. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority approved a request for proposals for hotel development consulting services, according to airport documents.
Conrad Orlando at Evermore is looking to open in the 4th Quater of 2023. The hotel’s says it will open by fall 2023 and features a list of amenities such as golf, outdoor pools, multiple restaurants, bars and more in a luxury atmosphere.
Transcript
The Walt Disney Co.’s relocation of thousands of jobs to Central Florida has new activity involving the nearly 60-acre campus Disney plans to build in the Lake Nona Area. Parcel 20A is the 60 acres that Dynamic Campus, an entity related to The Walt Disney Co. paid $46 million for in September 2021. City of Orlando records reveal a master plan is being sought “for the development of an approximately 1.8 million-square-foot office complex within Lake Nona. This project which was stalled for nearly a year, is known to be related to the relocation of thousands of jobs out of California to Orlando. I’ll keep you updated on the progress in future updates.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Universal Parks & Resorts Chief Administrative Officer John Sprouls met to discuss topics tied to the proposed shared train corridor for SunRail and Brightline. Demings wasn’t happy that he wasn’t informed of a new proposed special district to help make the corridor a reality during a media briefing that didn’t include the mayor. Mayor Demings cited a “lack of transparency” tied to the Universal’s Sunshine Corridor plans. Universal agreed they would go before the Orange County Commission in the future on the district. If approved by the county, this quasi-public district would provide a way for Universal to finance the construction and operation of a commuter rail station that would connect the Orange County Convention Center to the Orlando International Airport.
Proposed policy changes in downtown Orlando’s entertainment district has some nightclub operators at odds with the city. An ordinance to limit the opening of new clubs for at least six months is being considered by the Orlando City Council. In addition, the city also would consider a new rule that would require businesses in downtown that serve alcohol after midnight to get a special permit to do so. Smaller nightlife operators likely would be hit harder by rising costs forcing some to close if the proposed policies were approved. Other businesses in the corridor, such as restaurants and food vendors that may be open at the same time and benefit from the foot traffic might also be affected. If both ordinances are approved, they would be considered for a second approval which would then make the changes effective.
The Orlando International Airport wants another onsite hotel — and approved a request for proposals for hotel development consulting services. Worth between $400,000-$500,000 over a two-year term, the RFP is for a consultant to perform a feasibility analysis to attract a “hotel user adjacent/or within” the new Terminal C complex. The bid is set to release Feb. 12, with the procurement committee to discuss the proposals April 11 and then award the bid on May 17. The hotel would be built in a vacant field across from the Terminal C parking garage with access from both the air terminal and the future Brightline high-speed rail station. Over 50 million visitors to Orlando pass through Orlando International Airport each year.
Speaking of new hotels, the brand-new Conrad Orlando is set to open in the 4th quarter of this year. Part of the Evermore Orlando Resort at Grand Cypress the 433-room Conrad Orlando at Evermore features a list of amenities such as golf, outdoor pools, multiple restaurants, bars and more in a luxury atmosphere. I’ll be producing a full episode of The Orlando Guy reviewing the resort when it opens. Stay tuned for that.
