What does Orlando need to make it a wolrd class city? (Miami: crime rate, credit)

[GABMER]

Originally Posted by **NoodLes**

Education is key to make it a "wolrd" class city as demonstrated by the title of this post. You can also see this kind of quality of workmanship just by driving by construction which seems to never end. For example, the DOT will fix a minor issue on the roadways, be it a lane widening or repavement, but they will not take down the orange cones and speed limit signs for MONTHS even after the project is complete. Been to the airport recently? Seriously how long does it take to widen a few lanes which are literally only meters long, and its been in work for a few months easily. This kind of "half -a$$ed" focus on getting the job done right is evident in all aspects of this lame "wannabe" world-class city and sadly it will never change. It hasn't changed in 10 years and I am certain it will not change in the next decade especially with the clowns in office who have obviously never spent time in a world class city. I invite ALL elected officials to spend at least 1 to 2 years in a large, well planned and developed city to actually see what it takes to make it "work".

Next, get rid of the tolls. We have 1, ONLY 1, free Interstate. Most other cities have at least 3 to 4 FREE highways so I can go to work and back. Wanna go to Cocoa Beach? Guess what, you're gonna have to pay at least 3 tolls ONE WAY so I can enjoy a good hard earned day off at the beach. I'm sorry but the pay here sucks in the first place, I pay property taxes and I SHOULD NOT have to pay to go to the nearest beach which was obviously designed as a tourist trap in the first place.

Next, get rid of the monopoly that is Walt Disney. Ever been to Las Vegas? Ever heard of any FREE shuttles to your Casino/Hotel? NOPE! How bout Washington DC? NOPE! It's a fact that Disney has Orlando by the BALLS. Why can't Universal have free shuttles? $$$$$$$ And as long as our sorry officials are getting a paycheck from Disney's lobbyists Orlando will always be the same. Allow a free-market with transportation companies ie: limos, taxis, and NO, MEARS can not be the exclusive transportation company to the numerous timeshare resorts here. Ban all exclusive contracts with car rental and transportation companies associated with hotels so EVERY company can make money. Not only the PREFERRED company signed into contract with my hotel.

Next, SPORTS. What does Otown have, the Orlando Magic LOLLOLOLOL!! Every other city except Orlando has a BASEBALL, FOOTBALL, HOCKEY, BASKETBALL, and minor league soccer and baseball team. What happened to the old Orlando Rays baseball team that used to play in guess what DISNEY!! YAY, they got another monopoly! But like a magic trick they disappeared and nobody cared, know why? Simple, minor league teams are LOCAL and guess what, ever tried to get a job here. Well chances are you're going to end up in tourism and good luck getting any CONSISTENT SCHEDULE in any tourism-type job. Heck I couldn't PLAN a day just to watch a minor league game if I wanted to, because you can be scheduled from 5 AM one day or 5 PM the next day. Also know what, the person scheduling you doesn't give a rat's a$$ if they give you a jacked up schedule or not because that's what they've become accustomed to. A world class city has an abundance of normal schedule jobs with weekends off and holidays paid, but Orlando you must work on holidays because while everybody's enjoying their time off, getting paid BTW, you're working. WOW what a life!

Next, REQUIRE companies here to conduct an APTITUDE test. Seriously, half the people I work with a 6th grader could do and good luck understanding what their trying to say, be it Jamaican, Haitian, or some other South or Central American country they come from. If I can't distinguish at least 2 words in a sentence or you cannot have a discussion longer than 2 sentences, GET OUT! You should not be working!

Next, major cities have a multitude of service providers for electric, cable, etc. What does OTown have and has had for the past 10 years? Brighthouse and OUC, Kissimmee has KUA. WOW!! What choice I have, ONE provider! Orlando and its so-called runoff suburbs simply don't have the population density that other major cities have. Orlando is an EMPTY city and the only reason Sand Lake Road gets congested is because NO ONE WANTS to pay tolls on the "BeachLine" which should have never been changed from the "BeeLine" in the first place.

Next, but definitely not last, how can Orlando NOT synchronize major traffic lights especially near the airport. Honestly, at least synchronize from MCO to Hoffner and little things like this make a place better to live.

There's many other issues Orlando continues to suffer from, and will continue to suffer from and in the end ORLANDO WILL NEVER ACHIEVE WORLD-CLASS rights, especially when its DOMINATED by tourism.

God Bless the day when I can FINALLY leave this Sodom and Gomorrah melting pot, also known as FloriDUH!

I couldn't have said it any better!!!!!

[Rhett_Butler]

Really simple IMO.... PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION!!!

Orlando NEEDS a rail system like Miami's Metrorail before the city will "work" as a World Class City...

The downtown area (at least two years ago) was wasting away because all of the tourists are over by Disney which is NOT a convenient location if you want people downtown..... A rail system that covered as far north as Sanford and as far South as Disney, East to Waterford Lakes or UCF and as far west as Clermont would make the city commutable from all around and would draw business back to the downtown area.....

JMO...

[GABMER]

Originally Posted by Rhett_Butler

Really simple IMO.... PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION!!!

Orlando NEEDS a rail system like Miami's Metrorail before the city will "work" as a World Class City...

The downtown area (at least two years ago) was wasting away because all of the tourists are over by Disney which is NOT a convenient location if you want people downtown..... A rail system that covered as far north as Sanford and as far South as Disney, East to Waterford Lakes or UCF and as far west as Clermont would make the city commutable from all around and would draw business back to the downtown area.....

JMO...

This will never happen, ppl here are very close minded and everything up for vote gets shut down. That is one of the big problems, its people.

[Crane's Rooster]

Originally Posted by GABMER

This will never happen, ppl here are very close minded and everything up for vote gets shut down. That is one of the big problems, its people.

Unfortunately most of our local politicians seem to have enough insight and believe in developing a better local system but the state has been voting us down lately. Just about every politician in Central Florida is behind SunRail but the likes of Paula Dockery in Lakeland have constantly fought to get our plans shut down. Hopefully the 3rd time will be the charm for us.

[GLS2010]

Originally Posted by Rhett_Butler

Really simple IMO.... PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION!!!

Orlando NEEDS a rail system like Miami's Metrorail before the city will "work" as a World Class City...

The downtown area (at least two years ago) was wasting away because all of the tourists are over by Disney which is NOT a convenient location if you want people downtown..... A rail system that covered as far north as Sanford and as far South as Disney, East to Waterford Lakes or UCF and as far west as Clermont would make the city commutable from all around and would draw business back to the downtown area.....

JMO...

agreed

[Pete C]

Would you still say downtown is wasting away? There are plenty of empty storefronts in the new condos, but there are still a good amount of businesses and nightlife down there, and it is rather lively as far as the social aspect. I don't think downtown Orlando is intended for tourists, it's for locals. In fact, I think tourists would probably not like it if they are thinking it is an extension of Disney because it is the polar opposite.

As far as retail, restaurants, and nightlife businesses downtown, what needs to happen is to get warm bodies in those condos via rentals. The condo market is belly up, so they have finally realized this and now every highrise downtown is leasing. If more jobs come online, the downtown will grow by default because more people will be able to afford to live down there. Once those condos are filled, the downtown business situation should just work itself out due to the increase in foot traffic of all the city dwellers. The city isn't really slowing down because the events and arts centers are still on track. I just don't know where the jobs are going to come from to support all of those events. Annerk had it right in that Orlando really needs to entice companies to establish themselves here. Downtown, Maitland, and Lake Mary have tons of space for businesses. Orlando needs to catch a break and get a major business or two.

All that said, Orlando already is a "world class" tourist destination, however as a city it is far off. It's probably the most like Charlotte in how the city core is walkable and charming and then surrounded by a mixture of crap and nice neighborhoos patched around the metro area. However there are just nowhere near the businesses here as there is in Charlotte. Charlotte's skyline is growing in business and condos; Orlando's grew only in condos.

[bdpop]

Originally Posted by Crane's Rooster

Unfortunately most of our local politicians seem to have enough insight and believe in developing a better local system but the state has been voting us down lately. Just about every politician in Central Florida is behind SunRail but the likes of Paula Dockery in Lakeland have constantly fought to get our plans shut down. Hopefully the 3rd time will be the charm for us.

I don't know why someone in Lakeland would have a problem with Orlando having a rail system.

[Crane's Rooster]

Because if Orlando buys out the tracks for commuter rail use, the freight trains would be re-routed through Lakeland. What I don't understand is that if a high speed rail was built between Tampa and Orlando, I would assume Lakeland would want a stop. However, it's already been established that in order for high speed rail to come to FL it would have to connect to another mass transit system. This is the only one on the board and we keep getting shunned by politicians from other areas. I think it's just rail envy.

[thepinksquid]

I'll refrain from quoting everything you said, but I couldn't agree with you more **NoodLes**.

Leaving Orlando was one of the best things I ever did for myself. I can go somewhere here in San Diego and say 5 sentences and not have the other person stare at me for 5 minutes or have them go "duhh whaa youz saayy?" to me. Orlando just frustrated me to no end. I don't like to come on here and spread negatively about Orlando because 1) enough people do that anyway and 2) there are truly nice areas of the Orlando metro. However, what you said completely struck me as valid.

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by Crane's Rooster

Unfortunately most of our local politicians seem to have enough insight and believe in developing a better local system but the state has been voting us down lately. Just about every politician in Central Florida is behind SunRail but the likes of Paula Dockery in Lakeland have constantly fought to get our plans shut down. Hopefully the 3rd time will be the charm for us.

Contrary to public opinion, Paula's quest has very little to do with Sunrail. It's much bigger than that.