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Ocoee officials break ground on City Center West Orange

OCOEE, Fla. — Officials broke ground on the new City Center West Orange Monday morning.

The plan is to create stores, hotels, offices and condominiums on West Colonial Drive near Junction 429, Toll Road 408 and the Florida Turnpike.

Photos: Renderings, groundbreaking ceremony

"I think people are going to realize what Ocoee really is. We call it the center of good living. It is the center of good living if you live out here. You'll see that," Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson said.

The project is expected to be completed in about eight years, and officials said it will create about 8,000 jobs.

Developer David Townsend said the project is participating in a foreign investment program.

“Citizens from other countries work toward a U.S. green card by making an investment of $500,000, which in turn will create 10 jobs for Americans,” Townsend said.

Developers said the first phase of the project will include a 122-room hotel and 450 condos.

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