RV's Vision

DeepGreen · August 10, 2006

Didn't Rick Villareal mention his vision of having a retail type mall near Eagle Point and/or the proposed new stadium at Eagle Point? This is what is going on at Univ. of Central Florida.

I can definitely hear that "whooosing" sound.

http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlando/sto.../17/story5.html

ORLANDO -- Retailers are lining up to be part of the University of Central Florida's on-campus shopping strip that will be attached to the new 10,000-seat convocation center under construction.

When the center is completed in the fall of 2007, the 60,000 square feet of space to be occupied by restaurants and stores will give UCF a mixed-use dimension not before seen at other state universities, observers say.

For retailers, part of the project's allure will be the new housing component -- three buildings that will add living quarters for 2,000 more students. At present, some 4,000 students live on campus.

Add another 4,000 off-campus living accommodations within walking distance to the convocation center and you have some 10,000 students in close proximity -- or roughly the population of the city of Mount Dora.

No wonder retail space, which is being leased at $26-$28 per square foot, is quickly filling up.

The revenue stream from leasing retail space at the convocation center alone is expected to generate roughly $1.5 million annually, says John Tittman, director of finances at UCF.

In fact, Tittman adds, there's more than enough income to cover the $7.12 million debt service on the mixed-use project. Revenues are estimated at $3 million from events; $1.3 million from the sale of suites and club seats; $5 million a year from housing; $1.5 million from in-house rent of the convocation center; and interest earnings.

Campus-friendly stores

Chris McCarty, a business and economic expert at the University of Florida, says he's not aware of any universities in the state that have as much retail on campus as UCF will have.

He says the concept makes a lot of sense.

"Parking is such a nightmare at most campuses that many don't even want to drive out for lunch," McCarty says.

Bill Merck, UCF vice president for administration and finance, says the $250 million project involving the convocation center, retail space and student housing also will include three four-story parking garages that will add another 2,100 much-needed parking spaces.

Merck says that with another 1,300 parking spots on a lot across the street from the convocation center and service parking available, he doesn't anticipate parking to be a problem.

"Remember, students will be living right here and they won't be driving," Merck says. "It won't be like TD Waterhouse."

untbowler · August 10, 2006

Didn't Rick Villareal mention his vision of having a retail type mall near Eagle Point and/or the proposed new stadium at Eagle Point? This is what is going on at Univ. of Central Florida.
I can definitely hear that "whooosing" sound.

http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlando/sto.../17/story5.html
ORLANDO -- Retailers are lining up to be part of the University of Central Florida's on-campus shopping strip that will be attached to the new 10,000-seat convocation center under construction.
When the center is completed in the fall of 2007, the 60,000 square feet of space to be occupied by restaurants and stores will give UCF a mixed-use dimension not before seen at other state universities, observers say.

For retailers, part of the project's allure will be the new housing component -- three buildings that will add living quarters for 2,000 more students. At present, some 4,000 students live on campus.
Add another 4,000 off-campus living accommodations within walking distance to the convocation center and you have some 10,000 students in close proximity -- or roughly the population of the city of Mount Dora.
No wonder retail space, which is being leased at $26-$28 per square foot, is quickly filling up.
The revenue stream from leasing retail space at the convocation center alone is expected to generate roughly $1.5 million annually, says John Tittman, director of finances at UCF.
In fact, Tittman adds, there's more than enough income to cover the $7.12 million debt service on the mixed-use project. Revenues are estimated at $3 million from events; $1.3 million from the sale of suites and club seats; $5 million a year from housing; $1.5 million from in-house rent of the convocation center; and interest earnings.
Campus-friendly stores
Chris McCarty, a business and economic expert at the University of Florida, says he's not aware of any universities in the state that have as much retail on campus as UCF will have.
He says the concept makes a lot of sense.
"Parking is such a nightmare at most campuses that many don't even want to drive out for lunch," McCarty says.
Bill Merck, UCF vice president for administration and finance, says the $250 million project involving the convocation center, retail space and student housing also will include three four-story parking garages that will add another 2,100 much-needed parking spaces.
Merck says that with another 1,300 parking spots on a lot across the street from the convocation center and service parking available, he doesn't anticipate parking to be a problem.
"Remember, students will be living right here and they won't be driving," Merck says. "It won't be like TD Waterhouse."
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It is like living near the Interstate or the DART you just get so used to being passed by the noise that you tune it out after awhile. This explains the denial of many to the fact that several schools have gone zooming by good ole UNT while we sit n' spin with the status quo (i.e. No Public Fundraising, Limited Website updates, constant unwarranted contracts renewals/extensions).

NT80 · August 10, 2006

I believe the MasterPlan has land next to the New Stadium location on the I-35E service road as reserved for commercial ventures. Why again are we waiting???

I also agree we are getting majorly passed by.

pollock · August 10, 2006

The revenue stream from leasing retail space at the convocation center alone is expected to generate roughly $1.5 million annually, says John Tittman, director of finances at UCF.
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Unfortunate name.

PlummMeanGreen · August 10, 2006

I believe the MasterPlan has land next to the New Stadium location on the I-35E service road as reserved for commercial ventures. Why again are we waiting???
I also agree we are getting majorly passed by.
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Jeff, the gut feeling of those I've spoken (or emailed) as far as the reason we are hip deep in this (very expen$ive) waiting mode is that Norval Pohl is longer in charge at UNT-Denton. Yet those who are in charge just don't have a new stadium for UNT-Denton anywhere near the top of their priority wish lists. Why couldn't Judge Lee Ol' Boy have been a graduate of any other school in the USA except SMU? SMU and UNT are like gas and water and most always have been as far as matters of athletics are concerned. We do have some history to go by on that, too, now don't we?

Too bad we cannot have both Board of Regents manned by a majority of NT Exes (which we seem to have now), but also positions of leadership who will be making all the key decisions and such key decisions that they will probably not even be around to see the end results of such); yet those who will be making such decisons that will affect the rest of the "NT interest" part of all our lives. Seems almost counter-productive at times with such a set-up as this albeit is the norm at most other US colleges and universities since rarely do graduates of said universities get to lead their alma mater in its key positions.

Edited August 10, 2006 by PlummMeanGreen

NT80 · August 10, 2006

"Patience is truly one helluva' virtue..."

I am out of patience with this program. It's either time we get serious about fishing or just be content to forever cut bait and watch others.

Edited August 11, 2006 by NT80

FirefightnRick · August 11, 2006

Unfortunate name.
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Why is that unfortunate? I myself am a Tittman and have been for many many years.

Rick

FirefightnRick · August 11, 2006

This explains the denial of many to the fact that several schools have gone zooming by good ole UNT while we sit n' spin with the status quo (i.e. No Public Fundraising, Limited Website updates, constant unwarranted contracts renewals/extensions).
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It also explains the admittance by those like myself that continue to post the ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! part of it with each announcement by other schools.

Rick

untbowler · August 11, 2006

I think we would fit nicely in the Southland Conference considering the how little we actually put into Athletics, we might even be able to win the conference in something other Soccer.

Imagine all the trips to sunny Arlington, paradise like Natchitoches, and steamy Conway.

Someone needs to right this train.