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Orlando, Atlantic City, Vegas, etc. Skyscrapers | ThrillCorp

Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

Chicago has a giant hole that can be filled by this. ;-)

Sent from my VS840 4G using Tapatalk
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

Jheeze I can't believe Universal are so against this, yeah it might be kind of popular but it would hardly be formidable competition for Universal if it got built.

Universal saying the reason they're against it isn't because they're anti-competitive is like your average teenage boy claiming they've never watched porn to their parents. Complete ****.
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

They say it's because they have a 200ft height limit, so why shouldn't the skyplex
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

Dar said:
They say it's because they have a 200ft height limit, so why shouldn't the skyplex
Click to expand...

Ok that's actually a pretty good and fair reason.
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

Hyde said:
Things are not looking good for Skyplex.

The Orange County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-3 Thursday against a rezoning for the Skyplex project last Thursday, which would be required for the project to move forward at the proposed site. It turns out Universal Orlando has lobbied hard against the project; while they say it is not out of interest of being anti-competitive.... yeah sure. The surrounding community has also been outspoken with opposition, with help from UO. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business ... story.html

There was voiced concern of FAA check-off of the large structure, but the FAA has said the tower would be fine, so long as it follows appropriate guidelines for light indicators, etc.

Ultimately, the final up/down zoning vote goes to the county commissioners.

For those so inclined, someone has created a petition to support the Skyplex project: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/let- ... rlando-let

Putting on my public administration hat, without the support of the county commissioners, this project is done as far as it's current location. Before a single shovel of construction and development can occur, you need the permits and compliance to do so.
Click to expand...
Signed.
Sure it's probably not gonna do ****, but what is there to lose.
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

Hyde said:
The Orange County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-3 Thursday against a rezoning for the Skyplex project last Thursday,
Click to expand...

Isn't that just a recommendation? Mustn't the final decision be through the Orange County Commission?
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

cjbrandy said:
Dar said:
They say it's because they have a 200ft height limit, so why shouldn't the skyplex
Click to expand...

Ok that's actually a pretty good and fair reason.
Click to expand...

Not a good reason at all! USF, is within the city limits of Orlando. SkyPlex is in Orange County // unincorporated Orlando. And as far as height variances go, a few blocks can make all the difference as far as a planes flight paths go. In downtown Orlando, because of the Executive Airport, buildings can't be more than 400 feet or so, yet the wheel on I-Drive (also at 400 feet) had no real issues. Uni just doesn't wanna have to deal with "competition" that realistically would be non-existent. If anything, Fun Spot would 'be' that.
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

_koppen said:
Hyde said:
The Orange County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-3 Thursday against a rezoning for the Skyplex project last Thursday,
Click to expand...

Isn't that just a recommendation? Mustn't the final decision be through the Orange County Commission?
Click to expand...
It is a recommendation, but you can also assume the commissioners look to the planning commission for guidance... and are experiencing the same lobbying from Universal.

And yes, the argument over height limitations is crap.
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

Dar said:
They say it's because they have a 200ft height limit, so why shouldn't the skyplex
Click to expand...

The actual reason that UOR has a 200' height limitation is due to their proximity to schools and residential neighborhoods. Skyplex has no such limitation and only needs a variance to exceed that.
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

Someone on Orlando United did a mockup of the Skyplex and as you walk into IOA it would be in the middle of Hulk's (now non existent) loop. Maybe they also had that in mind!
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

Go on to Google Maps, that's not strictly true - it'd only be visible through the loop if you're coming from the Suess Landing area of the park - but it wouldn't actually be visible whatsoever.

Due to you being at ground level, Dr Doom's Fear Fall, Storm Force Acceleration and the 'city facade' of The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, not to mention all of the foliage, you wouldn't see a thing until you was over at the far back of the park (closest to Universal Orlando park).

When it comes down to it, it has nothing to do with the height regulation (as the council permitted the construction of the Orlando Eye) and I very much doubt that it's because Universal are claiming that their vantage points are being invaded by the structure, so my bet is that due to it being a 'thrill' centre with bars, shopping and other amenities, it's actually gonna take some slight business from the CityWalk area of the resort and that's just something they won't stand for.
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

Yeah, it's almost like they're a business trying not to let any competition appear!

Anyone that is shocked by them trying to stop it is silly.
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

The debate over allowed construction heights continues in this article summarizing the current scenario: https://www.newsday.com/news/nation/sky ... 1.11074453

Some key takeaways:

The Orlando city code restricts Universal's roller coasters to a 200-foot height limit because the park is bordered by a residential neighborhood. SeaWorld falls under county jurisdiction, but Orange County planning administrator John Smogor told commissioners that the park probably would have gotten a larger height allowance simply by asking for it. Its Sky Tower observation deck is 400 feet tall.

McReynolds said Skyplex should ultimately get zoning approval, but that its height should fit into an overall vision of the community. Universal also has voiced concerns about its traffic impact and whether Skyplex would drain stormwater into a lake partially owned by Universal.
Click to expand...

"We don't believe the project is compatible given the size and the magnitude," Universal attorney Peter Latham said. "And we don't believe enough has been done to determine that compatibility."

Along with Universal, a group called Efficient Transportation for the Community of Central Florida, made up of several influential businesses on I-Drive including SeaWorld, Fun Spot amusement park, Point Orlando, and Rosen Hotels and Resorts, submitted a letter to the zoning commission raising questions about Skyplex.

Chrissy Foglesong, the group's executive director, called Skyplex a "welcomed addition" but "not at the height they are looking at."
Click to expand...

The Orange County Commission has scheduled a community meeting scheduled on November 12 for the Skyplex project: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business ... story.html

It seems the current focus is gauging public support. However, the area is no stranger to OKing controversial construction projects, and it is rather clear Universal's general opposition to the project. So long as there is no code violation, and considering there is no guiding community development plan for the larger area at present, it would be difficult for the commissioners to oppose the structure.
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

I don't see why Universal would stop this when you have Fun Spot, Sea World, or even Disney to compete with. And over time, this thing'll probably get a nice rattle to it. I see no reason why Universal should be against this project. And tbh, the tower through the loop would make for some epic photo ops.
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

GuyWithAStick said:
I don't see why Universal would stop this when you have Fun Spot, Sea World, or even Disney to compete with. And over time, this thing'll probably get a nice rattle to it. I see no reason why Universal should be against this project. And tbh, the tower through the loop would make for some epic photo ops.
Click to expand...

At the moment we don't even know if they'll be a loop still either!
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

The opposition of Universal is to be anti-competitive; plain and simple. And given that Universal works under a strict height limit, you can understand their angle of arguing for conformity for all thrill attractions.
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

For what its worth... Both poster signs on I Drive that were showing this project as "coming soon", have been removed.
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

This and another one for Nashville are being shown/teased/talked about at IAAPA in the Intamin booth.
 
Re: I-Drive Orlando | Skyscraper| US Thrill Rides

Universal is going way too far with this. It's turning political now.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-universal-skyplex-mailers-20151119-story.html

So apparently, they're sending out mailers telling residents to vote no to Skyplex. The 'official' reason is hilarious:

"It's going to ruin the atmosphere of the community."

You're in Orlando **** ing Florida! The atmosphere is all tourism, nightlife, and entertainment! If you don't want that, move to Fort Lauderdale or something.

Well, that's Florida for you.
 
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