Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
NOTE FROM THE FORUM OWNER:

We had a long, enjoyable run, and I would like to thank every Orlando Magic fan who contributed to our small community on the web. This message board will be left online as an archive into the thoughts and minds of a group of Magic fanatics who lived through a 21-win season, the drafting of Dwight Howard, and an eventual NBA Finals appearance. You can also visit the original MagicMadness Forum at http://orlandomagic.proboards.com.

Special thanks to our Staff Members: Black and Blue, MAGICMANEVAN, and NYCMagicFan!

MagicMadness
Forum Owner
Add Reply
Talks Of A New Arena; In A Tourist Area
Topic Started: Feb 28 2006, 12:57 AM (491 Views)
MAGICMANEVAN
Member Avatar
#1 Magic Fan
Staff Members
http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlando/sto...ry1.html?page=1
Quote:
 
Magic In Talks To Put A New Arena In Tourist Zone Instead Of Downtown

ORLANDO -- The Orlando Magic are talking about the development of a new arena on a mostly undeveloped, 1,800-acre parcel of land adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center and near the area's bustling theme parks.

Joel Glass, a spokesman for the National Basketball Association franchise, has confirmed to Orlando Business Journal that Atlanta developer Stan Thomas has met with the team's management about building "a world-class sports and entertainment center," as well as building financial ties with the team as a limited partner.

In addition, Glass says the team has, in general, begun to explore working with local investors in the transition of the team into its second generation of management. The team has been owned by the DeVos family since September 1991. The family is headed by Rich DeVos, the 79-year-old co-founder of Amway.

"Within these discussions, Orlando's arena situation has come up," said Glass in an e-mail from Indianapolis.

Glass says the team is working with community leaders, including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty, to come to an agreement on an arena situation that is based on what's best for Orlando.

Crotty says it is too early to take a position on whether the arena is better for the community in a downtown or convention center area location.

"Both have merit," Crotty says. "But if there are bona fide investors with significant enough financing, that could make the difference."

Dyer could not be reached for comment before deadline.

Land bought in 2003

Since the Magic only use the facility about 25 percent of the time, says Glass, any decision about building a facility should involve the community.

Marc Watson is one of the owners of the land -- called Orlando Glades by the developers -- that was formerly held by Universal Orlando as part of its now-defunct long-range expansion plans.

He wouldn't comment on the specifics of any deals or discussions. "We have a lot of ideas and a lot of ongoing discussions about developing the property," said Watson through a spokesman.

Thomas could not be reached for comment.

for the rest of the 2 page article, just click the link my friends. ;)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Tony
Member Avatar
Dwight Howard = MVP
That sucks! First that is way too far from my house. Next to the theme parks? Im guessing they mean Disney. Thats kinda far and whats the point? They should just leave it where it is and just renovate it. Plus, I think there will be a bigger attendance if they stay downtown. Theres a bigger crowd and easier for people to go to.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MAGICMANEVAN
Member Avatar
#1 Magic Fan
Staff Members
oh so since it far for you they shouldnt do it, huh? lol :lol: your funny tony. its about funding, cost, and amount of people near it. thats the reasoning behind the arena going to a tourist area. but its true its far fro my house too, that would suck if they moved it from downtown. im only 20 min from the TDW now.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Tony
Member Avatar
Dwight Howard = MVP
Exactly, every thing is about me. Forget funding and cost and junk. :lol:

Theres a bigger attendance if they stay downtown, IMO.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Black and Blue
Member Avatar
Have You Hugged Your Van Gundy Today?
Staff Members
New Arena? Near the theme parks so that tourists jerks like myself can visit the arena often?

BOOOOYAH!!!!! WOOO! Best news I've gotten in a long time. Thanks for making my day MagicManEvan!!!! :) :)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
TheFalcon
Member Avatar
Air Gortat
Any possibility of a new arena is great news, as long as its not in Kansas....
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Tony
Member Avatar
Dwight Howard = MVP
I just dont like the idea of it being in the tourist section. Thats not a good spot for an arena. They should just leave it where it is and renovate it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
dxwwf3
Member Avatar
Legend
Closer to Disney World? THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! :)

That would save us a ton of time when I get to go to home games.

But I could care less where they put it as long as it gets built and the team stays put.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
efenell
Member Avatar
DA - Magic Legend
This location is closer to Seaworld and Universal then it is to Disney. I would love to see that. It's only about 5-10 minutes farther down I-4 then TD Waterhouse. This is the biggest tourist attraction city so why not take advantage of that. If I were a tourist I'd rather go to a basketball game then some wack a** dinner show. I think the attendance would be the same if not better. The only thing I hate when going to the games now is that I have to wear a bulletproof vest for when I park my car by one of the worst neiborhoods in Orlando and have to walk a 1/4 mile through beggers and thugs just to get to the arena.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MagicMadness
Member Avatar

Administrator
Great news!!! I don't care that it'll make my trip to Magic games a bit father, I'll just leave the house earlier. Whatever it takes to keep the Magic in Orlando, I'm fine with it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Black and Blue
Member Avatar
Have You Hugged Your Van Gundy Today?
Staff Members
:) :) :) :) :)

Thing just keep looking better and better for this team
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
BRINGthaMAGIC
Member Avatar
All-Star
i agree with most just hope i can go to see the games one day. i will just have to say to the family lets go to disney lol
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
magiclive
Member Avatar
#1 Magic Fan
i went down to orlando last year for a game and i stayed at a hotel right next to universal. if i remember correctly, it took maybe 20 min to get to the arena. so i dont see what the fuss is about. maybe im wrong and it took longer, but how far is downtown from the theme parks? is it really that far of a move?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Pitbullz EP
Member Avatar
Magic in 5
magiclive
Feb. 28 2006 10:39 AM
i went down to orlando last year for a game and i stayed at a hotel right next to universal. if i remember correctly, it took maybe 20 min to get to the arena. so i dont see what the fuss is about. maybe im wrong and it took longer, but how far is downtown from the theme parks? is it really that far of a move?

With minimal traffic it would take you about 20 mins from Universal to Downtown O-Town. When people hear theme parks they automtically think Disney. It's not near Disney, It's closer to Universal and seaworld. So it's really not that big of deal. I live in Tampa so regardless it's a far drive for me. However, the new location would be closer if they do decide to build it there. The magic need a new building bad. The Waterhouse Centre is mad old.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Benjams
Member Avatar
Sixth Man
Im for the tourist part of town because ive never even been to a game
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Orlando Magic Locker Room · Next Topic »
Add Reply