West Side Parking Garage construction

[jt04]

This is Disney we are talking about, I think it's pretty likely they will have hyped grand re-opening, although it will probably happen well after most things have already re-opened.

Seems the prudent thing to do. Save PI has new pics. Amazing. Although I do not think the new PI is going to be what the expect. I do expect venues that cater to adults in the evening I am not sure it will be PI revisited. Orlando is the new PI.

And on a side note, concept drawings of the new soccer stadium for Orlando will be released today. So much new stuff happening.

 

[Mouse Detective]

So much new stuff happening.

Yeah, you really ought to move here jt.

 

[jt04]

Yeah, you really ought to move here jt.

Nice place to visit......

 

[Mouse_Trap]

Yep. They own the panels. Disney would just sign a power purchase agreement where they would agree to buy the power produced at a fixed price per KW. Likely an option to purchase after the lease term (likely 20 to 30 years). If the option isn't exercised the seller is usually responsible for removing the equipment and returning the ground to some agreed upon state. Typically in these type of contracts the seller keeps the Renewable Energy Credits that are generated from the project which have a market value associated with them as well. It's a win/win for both sides. Good PR and exposure for both companies.

Wouldn't it be better for a company like Disney to just buy the panels outright, that way you don't have the middle company taking a sizeable chunk of money.

Using such a scheme, Disney could buy power at a lower than market rate, but if they owned the panels then at the expense of a initial cost they would get the power for free. They could also sell the advertising space for additional revenue.

 

[Mouse_Trap]

Let's just hope they have a system that directs you to where empty spaces are...

I remember the parking garage at BWI airport has sensors over each parking space. When the space is empty, it shows a green light that can be seen from far down the row. When someone parks there, the light turns red. There are then signs at the end of each aisle showing how many empty spaces are in the row, and a master sign as you enter the garage showing how many spaces are available on each level. No need to go hunting.

A garage I use here in Boston has the available spaces per level totals, but as it doesn't have sensors on each parking space I presume it just uses sensors to detect when a car enters and leaves each level to subtract and add numbers as necessary.

-Rob

Have seen this used to good effect. First in Frankfurt airport in Germany 10 year ago......didn't see it again until a parking garage at a shopping mall in Hollywood about 2 years ago. Always surprised its not used more often, maybe it's still quite expensive.

Are you calculating for narrower spaces? They tend to do that similar to the way airlines are always looking to get more seats in coach.

Of course cars are trending smaller while people are trending bigger so not sure of all the science involved.

That has absolutely cracked me up. Here in the UK cars are still increasing in size with every model generation produced. Quite ironic how it's the opposite stateside and something I had noticed.

Of course, the size of our starting point for cars was very small. Even today our biggest vehicles are small compared to what I see in the US.

 

[GoofGoof]

Wouldn't it be better for a company like Disney to just buy the panels outright, that way you don't have the middle company taking a sizeable chunk of money.

Using such a scheme, Disney could buy power at a lower than market rate, but if they owned the panels then at the expense of a initial cost they would get the power for free. They could also sell the advertising space for additional revenue.

They could go that route. Companies like Google and Apple have taken an interest in being an owner of panels (Mostly for the tax credits). Google not only bought its own panels but is in the business of leasing panels to homeowners. Disney would need to pay someone to operate and maintain the panels either way. They aren't going to staff a department to do it. Like Google they would need to partner with an energy company to do that.

The main advantage of a 3rd party owning the panels is Disney pays nothing up front and has no new debt on their books. They also have no part in the maintenance or upkeep of the panels. They would essentially just lock in "green" power at a fixed cost over a period of 20+ years. The 3rd party will essentially go out and borrow money to finance the construction. The steady cash flows from the contract with Disney will be enough to get project financing at a pretty good rate. The 3rd party then takes the total cash needed to cover debt payments and expected maintenance plus their desired rate of return less the value of the renewable energy credits less the estimated value of the marketing and comes up with a dollar figure that Disney will need to pay.

This is the structure used for the NFL stadium deals for the Giants/Jets, Patriots, Redskins, Eagles, Texans and 49ers. The third party energy company is likely to agree to more favorable terms with a high profile location like a football stadium of a Disney park because they get the added benefit of free advertising for their company. When 18 million people a year walk up to MK and see signs that talk about the world famous WDW monorail powered by XYZ solar power company that's some pretty powerful advertising.

 

[maxairmike]

Wouldn't it be better for a company like Disney to just buy the panels outright, that way you don't have the middle company taking a sizeable chunk of money.

Using such a scheme, Disney could buy power at a lower than market rate, but if they owned the panels then at the expense of a initial cost they would get the power for free. They could also sell the advertising space for additional revenue.

It would be better for "Disney" to buy them, however, not the Disney you're thinking of. It would be better for the Reedy Creek Improvement District to buy them, specifically Reedy Creek Energy Services as a part of their overall power plan for the District, and Disney would likely be purchasing the power at an even lower fee than if it were purchasing the power from a 3rd party operator.

 

[dstrawn9889]

agreed, RCID would be the purchaser, since the decks are that subsidiaries'

 

[GoofGoof]

Here's where things get a little confusing. RCID is the government entity that owns all of the utilities including electric generation and distribution as well as water and sewer, chilled and hot water and other typical municipal services. RCID has a contract with Reedy Creek Energy Services to operate all of the facilities. Reedy Creek Energy Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of TWDC and not owned or directly related to RCID. In other words WDW pays taxes to RCID like any business would to the local government. Reedy Creek pays for the infrastructure and has the ability to issue low interest municipal bonds to fund improvements. RCID then pays Reedy Creek Energy Services a management fee to run and operate all of the municipal utility services. It's kinda one big circular reference. TWDC pays itself to provide services sleeved through a government entity that has WDW as it's only real taxpayer.

How does this all fit into this discussion? If RCID bought solar panels they could fund the acquisition through cheaper government bonds. They could then pay Reedy Creek Energy Services a management fee to operate and maintain the panels. The RCID debt does not consolidate onto TWDC balance sheet. The biggest drawback to that plan is they would lose the tax breaks you currently get for installing solar panels since TWDC would not be an owner of the project.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

Just curious, has there been word one way or another on parking attendants in the garage? Will you be directed to a spot, or will it be a free-for-all?

I also think free-for-all. Disney won't want to pay CMs to direct the cars.

 

[GoofGoof]

I also think free-for-all. Disney won't want to pay CMs to direct the cars.

They will probably have those automated signs that tell you how many spaces are open on each floor that direct people to open spots. Hope they work better than the ones at the Philly airport

 

[Mike730]

http://savepleasureisland.blogspot.com/2014/06/dtd-update-construction-zones.html

 

[CDavid]

http://savepleasureisland.blogspot.com/2014/06/dtd-update-construction-zones.html

Thanks for the update.

Anyone who knows about construction - some reason they apparently are building the middle section last? Just curious.

 

[Lord_Vader]

Thanks for the update.

Anyone who knows about construction - some reason they apparently are building the middle section last? Just curious.

A combination of curing time, spreading the workforce and materials would be my best guess.

 

[danlb_2000]

A combination of curing time, spreading the workforce and materials would be my best guess.

But why the middle section, wouldn't it be more logical to build them in order from one end to the other?

 

[Lord_Vader]

But why the middle section, wouldn't it be more logical to build them in order from one end to the other?

I am not sure why they would pour the outside sections before the center section. With construction projects this size there are always factors that play into the decisions that even the crew may not be aware of. Maybe the support structure for the middle section is being supplied by a different vendor and they were not going to be ready for delivery for three months.

My best guest is that the middle section is more complex and the ramp construction needs the outside sections poured to help hold up the high and low sides for each floor.

 

[Lord_Vader]

Fall 2014 is what Disney is saying I believe.

 

[danlb_2000]

I am not sure why they would pour the outside sections before the center section. With construction projects this size there are always factors that play into the decisions that even the crew may not be aware of. Maybe the support structure for the middle section is being supplied by a different vendor and they were not going to be ready for delivery for three months.

My best guest is that the middle section is more complex and the ramp construction needs the outside sections poured to help hold up the high and low sides for each floor.

You last point makes a sense. If the ramps are in the center section that could be why it's taking more time then the other two sections.

 

[Rob562]

You last point makes a sense. If the ramps are in the center section that could be why it's taking more time then the other two sections.

It also appears a little narrower than the two end sections, so it probably goes up faster.
And if you look at the tallest section you can see cut-outs in the top level, presumably where elevators and stairways will go. Having that section finished first allows them to start installing those while the other sections are built.

-Rob

 

[MOXOMUMD]

Fall 2014 is what Disney is saying I believe.

By "Fall", I hope they mean before the holiday travel season.