Yesterday, President Obama appeared in Tampa for a town hall meeting at the University of Tampa, delivering $1.25 billion as a down payment for an 84-mile high-speed rail line to connect Orlando with other regions of central Florida.
This railroad is planned to connect areas of central Florida including Downtown Orlando, Lakeland, Walt Disney World, Orange Country Convention Center, and Orlando Internation Airport. The funds are part of the stimulus package tied to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The first train is expected to leave the station by 2015, and eventually plans for extending another 240 miles from Orlando to Miami will come into play by 2020.
Beginning with five stops, development ideas for these areas are not yet set. These areas may become first-time or experienced commercial developments when the railroad begins to function. Developers are facing difficulty obtaining financing, but are hopeful by the time the rail is completed, financing will be available.
Communities, in the meantime, can discuss ideal options for the type of developments to surround the commuter stations. Some optimal possibilities include retail centers, multifamily apartment complexes, and office spaces. Small businesses such as restaurants, cafes, boutiques and drug stores would be ideal, as commuters need the convenience, and the businesses would benefit from the constant commuter traffic.
Placing the rail stations in areas where there is plenty of parking or a high amount of pedestrian-friendly area encourages redevelopment of these urban spaces once the train stations arrive.
The VUE at Lake Eola is a luxury urban living high rise, located on the shores of historic Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. This new 36-story, 375-unit luxury condo high rise is walking distance from a wide variety of downtown Orlando restaurants and bars. The VUE overlooks Lake Eola and its surrounding park, and with a close proximity to a future high-speed railway station, living at The VUE provides the ultimate in downtown luxury living.
Tags: central Florida, downtown Orlando, high rise, high speed railroad, Lake Eola, luxury condo high rise, luxury urban living, The Vue at Lake Eola