Orlando's KABLAM-tastic City Hall Implosion

Reading time: 4 minutes

Good morning, Orlando! Monday is upon us. The weather’s getting cooler (really, finally, about time), and I’m ready to tackle the week. Hope you are too. Enjoy the issue.

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🌟 In today’s issue: 🌟

• Warner Brothers blows up City Hall

• Universal’s making it rain

• Sea blimps need help, again

• ….and more

Let’s do this!

- Philip

ORLANDO REWIND ⏪
From Civic Center to Action Scene: The Explosive Saga

The bustling metropolis of Orlando was facing a dilemma in the early 1990s. The historic City Hall building in the heart of downtown had fallen into disrepair after decades of use. City officials determined it was no longer safe or practical to continue operating the aging structure.

After endless meetings and debates, they decided the old building needed to go out with a bang - literally. The city approved plans for a controlled implosion to bring the structure down. This was pretty radical for laid-back Orlando, but hey, desperate times call for desperate measures.

Meanwhile, the bigwigs at Warner Brothers were gearing up for Lethal Weapon 3. The script included an explosive opening scene where Detectives Riggs and Murtaugh stumble onto a building wired to blow. But filming such mega-destruction ain't cheap.

In a stroke of ingenuity, Orlando's mayor reached out to Warner Brothers with a proposal. The city would allow the studio to incorporate the real-life demolition into the movie's opening sequence, in exchange for a location fee of $50,000. Warner Brothers enthusiastically agreed, giving them an incredible opportunity to kick off the film with authentic, large-scale destruction.

So on a sunny Florida morning, Orlando shut down downtown to bid City Hall adieu. Police barricaded the area as demolition crews wired the old girl up. Danny Glover took his spot just out of harm's way. Quiet on the set...lights, camera, KABOOM! City Hall erupted into a colossal cloud of dust and smoke. Riggs and Murtaugh dashed for cover as rubble rained down. Cut! That's a wrap!

Warner Brothers got their big-budget spectacle, and Orlando cleared away an eyesore for just the cost of some fancy pyrotechnics. Both sides considered the partnership a smashing success! 🤝

THE SQUEEZE 🍊
Florida's Beloved Blimps of the Sea Need Our Help

Florida's beloved sea cows are in a pickle. Federal officials may soon slap an endangered label on the mellow manatee to curb alarming deaths. With seagrass fields failing and boat bonks rising, these placid sea potatoes are struggling.

Last year, a record 1,100 manatees kicked the bucket, forcing wildlife rescuers to feed hungry herds lettuce like oversized rabbits. 2022 followed with another 800 deaths.

This year, over 450 gentle giants have perished so far. The cause? Starvation from disappearing seagrass pastures, their main snack. Officials hope an endangered classification will give more protection to these blimp-like beasts. How can we save our portly sea friends? Plant more seagrass, go slow in manatee zones, and give these lumbering lawn mowers of the sea a break. The humble manatee needs our help to keep on paddling.

Transit Projects Pick Up Steam Thanks to Universal

Universal Orlando is putting big money on the table to help fund infrastructure improvements around its upcoming Epic Universe theme park. The Orange County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved creating a special tax district that will provide $174 million for projects, including a potential rail line connecting the airport to International Drive.

Universal is essentially taxing itself to support transportation solutions like the proposed $2 billion Sunshine Corridor, which aims to reduce congestion in the tourist corridor.

Mayor Jerry Demings called it a public-private partnership to address pressing transit needs. The district will also devote $40 million to upgrade a nearby wastewater facility to control odors impacting residents.

While plans aren't finalized, officials agreed Universal's contribution will further the county's goals for better regional transit when Epic Universe opens in 2025. Reducing traffic will be key to keeping both commuters and tourists moving smoothly around one of Orlando's busiest areas.

100-Year-Old Navy Vet Takes B-day Helicopter Ride

Ima Black, a 100-year-old Navy veteran from Winter Park, got to fulfill a lifetime wish by taking a ride in a Navy helicopter for her birthday. Ima served in the WAVES program for women during WWII where she met her future husband, Delbert D. Black. Delbert was a decorated 30-year Navy veteran who eventually became the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. 

In 2015, Ima helped start the fabrication process for a new destroyer that was named after her husband, the USS Delbert D. Black. For her 100th birthday, an officer from that ship asked what he could do for her. Though she first requested a submarine ride, Ima got the next best thing—a thrilling helicopter ride courtesy of the Jacksonville Naval Air Station.

Surf's Up in Landlocked Orlando!

A defunct construction landfill off Avalon Road is getting a major wave-making overhaul. Ocean Sports Development aims to transform the tired 44-acre dump into a 15-acre surf park by 2024. The ambitious $45 million project will generate customizable 10-foot swells, allowing landlocked locals to hang ten like true surfers.

Beyond ripping waves, the surfing oasis will feature shops, restaurants, volleyball courts and more to create a beach community vibe in the shadows of Orlando's famous theme parks. With ample wave-riding opportunities, surfing could even become an NCAA varsity sport thanks to this development.

The tech-powered wave pool promises cranking barrels and rippable faces galore. Surfers can choose their own epic adventure or take on randomized swell patterns.

Who needs the ocean when you can surf in the shadow of theme parks?

No Barfing at Brunch!

🤣 Publisher’s note: This is decidedly not a story from or about Orlando, but sometimes you come across something that’s too weird NOT to share. Enjoy!

Bay Area restaurants are cracking down on unruly mimosa mayhem. After one too many bubbly cocktails, some soused brunchers turn breakfast into a vomitous affair. Now eateries like Kitchen Story and Home Plate hit puking patrons with a $50 "cleanup fee." Nothing kills the vibe like finding last night's drinks splattered on the floor.

Kitchen Story in Oakland posted a sign for their all-you-can-drink crowds: "Dear mimosa lovers, please drink responsibly and know your limits." Otherwise you'll pay the barf tax. One worker said the warning sobered up patrons who previously treated brunch like a frat party.

Meanwhile, in San Francisco, Home Plate tries to deter drunken disasters with signs reading "Drink Responsibly" and threats of $50 fees "for any incident."

Other restaurants use "mimosa fairies," sober servers who flutter around cutting off sloshed sippers. Brunch should be boozy fun, not a pukey mess. Bay bars are begging brunchers to take it easy on bottomless bubbles. Drink up, but let the food stay down!

#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸

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📷 via @orlandosignal |📍Lake Eola Park

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FOODIE FIND = FORK YEAH! 🤩
Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant

4030 N Goldenrod Rd, Winter Park

Happy Hour M-F 3pm to 6pm

Las Carretas is an authentic Mexican jewel hidden in plain sight. Behind the modest exterior lies some of the city's most mouthwatering flavors. Their famously massive margaritas overflow with tequila's spirited kick. Don't be fooled by the "small" - even a single glassful guarantees a fiesta.

While the drinks delight, the tacos al pastor astound. Juicy pineapple-marinated pork, caramelized to perfection on a rotating spit. Doubled over a doubled corn tortilla and crowned with cilantro and onion. Each bite awakens the palate with savory spice. And the rice and beans? Simple yet profoundly satisfying.

Las Carretas delivers an experience waiting to be discovered. Run, don't walk, to this neighborhood haunt and immerse yourself in Mexico's vibrant cuisine. Once you savor an authentic taste, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. This unassuming spot deserves a spot at the top of every food lover's list.

Map to this location, right here.

ORLANDO WEATHER 🌤️

Monday

73 🌡️ 57 | 🌤️ | Partly sunny and cooler but pleasant

Tuesday

74 🌡️ 60 | ☀️ | Pleasant with plenty of sunshine

Wednesday

79 🌡️ 60 | 🌤️ | Mostly sunny and pleasant

THANKS! 🙏

Many thanks for reading the Orlando Signal today. If you found something useful or interesting, please share this edition with someone you know! We’re back on Thursday to send you off strong 💪 into the weekend with lots to do.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal