New renderings show plans for I-Drive entertainment, dining project

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — New renderings were released Wednesday for the I-Drive 360 project at the old Mercado site on International Drive.
 
Some of the new renderings show an underwater tunnel at the Sea Life Aquarium, new restaurants and the Orlando Eye, a London Eye-style ride which will be more than 400 feet tall.
 
"When they see what we have it'll be a reason to stay an extra day and experience what we have so it'll pump a lot of extra money into the economy that wouldn't have been here because the guests aren't leaving when they would have," said Chuck Whittall with UNICORP.
 
Developers said the completed project will add about 2,000 new jobs to the area and bring in
8,000 to 10,000 visitors each day.
 
The Orlando Eye is expected to be ready for riders next spring.

WFTV