Orlando's International Drive's changing face

ORLANDO --

X marks the spot.

The former "Fun 'n Wheels" family entertainment center off International Drive in Orange County is now home to cracked pavement and weeds, along with painted directional arrows still on the ground to aid exiting riders.

Yet, among new survey markers and dried drilling slurry left behind from core samples, awaits an old address ready to become vibrant once again.

"The land wants to be an attraction," says Joshua Wallack with a grin.

The intersection of International Drive and Sand Lake Road in Orange County is getting a facelift from Wallack.

"It's downtown Orange County, he proclaims.

In his leather dress shoes and suit pants, the Chief Operating Officer of Wallack Holdings runs through the construction site of Mango's Tropical Cafe' Orlando, grabbing a hard hat as he enters.

Almost immediately upon entering, a construction foreman jumps at the opportunity to grab Wallack's attention, since the real estate developer doesn't slow down often.

"I never thought we would ever be involved in anything of this magnitude," Wallack says of the four projects he has envisioned for one of Orange County's busiest corners.

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Orlando's International Drive's changing face