It's one thing to talk about turning a suburban area into a walkable district. It's another thing to see the transformation actually happening. Here's a look at what's currently taking place along US 17/92, in the northern Orange County suburbs of Orlando.

Winter Park

The City of Winter Park is located immediately south of Maitland. Known for its vibrant Park Avenue retail district, several infill redevelopments are reshaping US 17/92/Orlando Avenue through this community as well.

Orchard Supply Hardware at 1111 South Orlando Avenue.

Chipotle Mexican Grill opened in 2004 at 525 South Orlando Avenue.

Olive Garden at 665 North Orlando Avenue.

This retail strip replaced a fast food restaurant in 2003 at the intersection of North Orlando Avenue and Lee Road.

Boston Market

This Walgreens opened at the intersection of Orlando Avenue and Fairbanks Avenue in 2009.

Opening in 1999, Winter Park Village is one of the first lifestyle centers built in Florida. The development is constructed on the site of the former Winter Park Mall. Dating back to 1964, the mall was originally anchored by JCPenney and Ivey’s.

Lakeside Crossing at Winter Park is part of a larger 32,000 square-foot retail destination developed by Orlando-based Unicorp National Developments. Completed in 2016, the development replaced a Best Western Motor Lodge.

Ravaudage Center is a 73-acre mixed-use redevelopment site at the northwest corner of Lee Road and US 17/92/Orlando Avenue.

Located across Orlando Avenue from Ravaudage Center, Winter Park Square is a new infill retail center anchored by Whole Foods and Nordstrom Rack.

Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Davis is a certified senior planner and graduate of Florida A&M University. He is the author of the award winning books “Reclaiming Jacksonville,” “Cohen Brothers: The Big Store” and “Images of Modern America: Jacksonville.” Davis has served with various organizations committed to improving urban communities, including the American Planning Association and the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. A 2013 Next City Vanguard, Davis is the co-founder of Metro Jacksonville.com and ModernCities.com — two websites dedicated to promoting fiscally sustainable communities — and Transform Jax, a tactical urbanist group. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com