Dr. Phillips Packing District Overview
Orlando, FL
Since 2017, GAI Consultants has been working with the City of Orlando, in conjunction with Dr. Phillips Charities, Inc., to provide civil engineering, site planning, and landscape architecture services for the Packing District. This new, eclectic, mixed-used development is the re-envisioning of 100 acres of industrial property and 150 acres of lowland/wetlands in west College Park. The project required close coordination with the City of Orlando, FDOT District Five, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD).
GAI’s engineers, planners, and landscape architects worked concurrently on all design stages from concept to construction documentation, and has worked on much of the initial Phase 1 implementation. Initial tasks were master infrastructure, including a master lift station accommodating approximately 1.5 MGD average daily flow; along with the reduction of a 1-mile stretch of Princeton Street (SR 438) from John Young Parkway (SR 423) to Orange Blossom Trail (US 441) from 6 lanes to 4 lanes of traffic. To help calm traffic, and to enhance safety and multimodal use in this high-volume corridor, the design incorporates raised medians, 6-ft-wide sidewalks, 10-ft separated bicycle lanes, and on-street parking.
The Packing District also is home to “The Grove” park, which features open green space as well as trails for biking and walking. The park serves as a stormwater collection facility, with Low-Impact Design (LID) techniques, such as urban rain gardens and soil cells, incorporated throughout.
Other features of the Packing District include the YMCA, tennis center, a gateway roundabout, supermarket and other retail, food hall, landmark juice stand, townhomes, and mid-rise apartments—all linked through a cohesive streetscape design that uses complementary lighting, wayfinding, and special finishes to create a unique sense of place. Work on the Packing District is ongoing, including a collaboration with the City of Orlando for a new community dog park.





