A walk through one of Orlando’s busiest tourist hubs may soon be safer and more scenic, as Orange County commissioners prepare to review an ambitious proposal to transform the bustling intersection of Sand Lake Road and International Drive into a pedestrian-friendly promenade.
The proposed $20 million P3 project, submitted by Gateway 2040 LLC, aims to reconstruct and significantly widen the sidewalks extending from the corner based on designs by Burkett Engineering. Managed by local developer Joshua Wallack, the project is meant to complement the county’s already funded, elevated pedestrian bridge slated for completion by 2030. Wallack Holdings owns the 3.3-acre property at 8126 International Dr., which houses Mangos Tropical Cafe. The family’s I-Drive holdings include a total of 18.7 acres.
Orange County commissioners are scheduled to host a workshop on Aug. 25 to evaluate an unsolicited public-private partnership proposal aimed at reconstructing and significantly widening the sidewalks extending from the corner.
A conceptual rendering depicts the pedestrian-friendly promenade design, showing widened sidewalks lined with shops and restaurants leading up to the elevated pedestrian bridge. (Courtesy Gateway 2040)
On July 30, Wallack presented the plans to the International Drive Business Improvement District in an effort to build local business consensus and secure stakeholder support ahead of the county commission’s upcoming workshop.
“Feedback from stakeholders was overwhelmingly positive,” he told GrowthSpotter. “They said from a visual, experience and safety standpoint, this is the best we can do.”
AMP Group CEO Alejandro Pezzini, who was there for the presentation, has been investing in the I-Drive business corridor since 2001, and has since acquired 17 acres and over 250,000 square feet of retail space there.
“For years, many of us have talked about the need to create a more walkable, connected, and pedestrian-friendly district that better reflects International Drive’s importance as one of the world’s premier tourism destinations,” he said. “I particularly like that the vision extends beyond simply building infrastructure … and helps position the corridor to remain competitive with other major entertainment and tourism destinations around the country.”
The proposal outlines a financial agreement in which Gateway 2040 would fund the project upfront using private equity and debt, Wallack said. Once construction is finished and the infrastructure is turned over to Orange County, the developer expects to be reimbursed for negotiated costs using future Community Redevelopment Agency funds earmarked for transportation, pedestrian safety and gateway aesthetics. Wallack noted those financial details will be discussed further during the county workshop.
A site plan map highlights the land areas offered for conveyance and the design layout for sidewalk and infrastructure improvements along the north and east sides of the intersection. (Courtesy Gateway 2040)
A cornerstone of the developer’s pitch is the voluntary donation of prime real estate. Wallack-controlled entities are offering to convey 25,332 square feet of largely contiguous corner frontage to Orange County at no cost. The land transfers include frontage from four major parcels: the Burger King at 7667 International Drive, Hulk Hogan’s Beach Shop at 7679 International Drive, the former Perkins restaurant at 6813 Sand Lake Road, and the Hollywood Plaza Garage at 8050 International Drive. A preliminary appraisal based on market comps has valued these land conveyances at $8.8 million, Wallack said.
A technical concept plan illustrates the proposed sidewalk expansions, right-of-way boundaries, and bridge landing clearance zones along the south and west corridors of the intersection. (Courtesy Gateway 2040)
The presentation positions safety as a primary justification for the massive sidewalk overhaul. A traffic study of the intersection conducted from May 2017 to May 2022 documented 661 total vehicle crashes within 650 feet of the intersection. Of those, 13 crashes directly involved active mobility, resulting in injuries to 12 pedestrians and one bicyclist. The proposed designs seek to shift pedestrian walkways farther from active traffic lanes, realign underground utilities and deploy advanced stormwater management systems to reduce hydroplaning risks.
Maria Triscari, President and CEO of the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce for almost 38 years, said she’s been concerned about safety at this intersection for decades.
“I have watched children and families navigate these sidewalks with strollers too close to traffic. I have seen people in wheelchairs maneuver around congested sidewalks,” she said. “The Promenade will create a much wider space away from traffic where pedestrians can comfortably gather before crossing the pedestrian bridge.”
Meanwhile, Orange County is actively advancing its own timeline for the overhead crossing, having closed bidding on July 14 for final design services for the International Drive and Sand Lake Road Pedestrian Bridge. The elevated structure itself is a long-sought milestone for the corridor—Wallack originally pitched the concept of a pedestrian bridge at the intersection back in 2013, and he has served as a primary public champion for the crosswalk as county officials pushed the project through initial design studies.
An aerial rendering illustrates the redesigned intersection without the elevated bridge, designed with dedicated clearance zones to ensure sidewalk improvements won’t interfere with the future bridge’s structural footprint. (Courtesy Gateway 2040)
If approved, the overall schedule for the Promenade would span 37 months, including 20 months for design and permitting and 17 months for bidding and active construction.
“Beyond the bridge, this is the most important infrastructure project we could undertake. It not only beautifies the gateway and the district, but also improves safety and ADA accessibility,” said Wallack. “More pedestrians will help shops and businesses attract more customers, increase sales, add shifts and create jobs.”
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