In 2015 we told you Complete Streets was coming to Orlando and that SODO was the first district to get the treatment. It's finally taking shape in the form of Our Sodo. This new series of inter-related visioning and planning efforts kicked off May 31st.
Our Sodo's Complete Streets Master Plan will bring SODO a unified design vision for roadways, pedestrian/bike facilities, streetscape materials and landscaping. effort is called These efforts are aimed at "enhancing Orlando’s South Downtown as a place of shared local business, retail services, residential living and community character."
The Our Sodo project will incorporate the many stakeholders of Downtown South throughout the process, including property + business owners, FDOT, The SoDo District (Main Street Program), and Orange County.
This project began on May 31st when multi-day public charrettes were held. A charrette is a meeting in which all stakeholders in a project attempt to resolve conflicts and map solutions. The meeting notes are fascinating. They include future-forward presentations, ideas from other cities, goals, visions and breakdowns of what exactly Our Sodo will be working on were just released. You can view all 271 pages HERE.
The project will now move into conceptual/schematic level design on several of the key roadways including South Orange Avenue and Division Avenue. The project will conclude with the development of a cohesive set of design recommendations, guidelines and standards to achieve the desired community vision into the future.
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