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$14 million project closes downtown Tavares roads

A $14 million project that includes new water, sewer lines and repaved sidewalks has shut down several roads throughout downtown Tavares.
Although city officials said the work would be worth it, some residents complained that it's too much construction at one time.
Richard Maxwell said the growing piles of dirt in downtown Tavares has "thrown a wrench" into his auto repair business.
"It looks to me like they did too many streets at one time," Maxwell said.
The $14 million makeover will restore the city's 100-year-old water and sewer system and include a major repaving project.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — "The good news is we have a grid system of streets here, east to west, north to south. You can get through Tavares one way or the other because of all the roads that we have," City Administrator John Drury said.

Drury said once the work is done it won't have to be touched again for 20 years.
"The entrance into and out of the America's Seaplane City is going to change forever," Drury said.
Long-time residents, like Maxwell, said that they don't really care for change.
"I've been up here since 1987. It's a quaint little town that really should stay the same," Maxwell said.\
The project also includes a new gateway to the city that will serve as a grand entrance.