EUSTIS, Fla. — A plan to sell the Eustis Community Center to a developer is sparking backlash in the city. Some residents have vowed to continue fighting the plan and said they would voice opposition at a commission meeting Thursday evening.
The Aquilo Project is being spearheaded by developers with Cyner Green Development.
The preliminary proposal would tear down the Eustis Community Center and an adjacent park located on Northshore Drive to instead build a boutique hotel, apartments, retail, and office space.
While no plans have been finalized, commissioners said in early August that the project was needed to revitalize downtown. Based on the commissioners’ direction, city staff is now negotiating the purchase price and terms of a potential sale.
Lifelong Eustis resident Gail Isaac Thomas said that for decades, the Eustis Community Center has been a pillar, home to gala events, her grandchildren’s birthday parties, and graduations.
“Everyone has a separate and different memory, but it all started right here,” said Isaac Thomas, “Don’t take away our cherished memories from this community center by getting rid of it.”
Isaac Thomas is one of many now speaking against the proposal.
Lisa Graves lives down the street from the center and told Channel 9 that her grandson constantly uses the playground on the property, and she visits the center monthly for neighborhood watch meetings.
“It’s constantly being used by the city, the people of Eustis. And I don’t think it’s right for them to sell it,” said Graves.
If a sale is approved, developers said the Aquilo project would cost about $70 million.
The developer told Channel 9 that the project was conceived specifically as a catalyst to downtown Eustis, connecting the lakefront to downtown and making the city more walkable.
“The workforce development this will create is significant, and we’ve done substantial work,” said Danelle Hoffer, with Cyner Green Development, during a commission meeting in early August.
During that August meeting, commissioners clarified that the sale had not yet been approved and that they would still need to weigh in on a possible sale agreement.
The City of Eustis said that, to determine the current market value, it will obtain third-party appraisals of the property.
“Now is the time to translate a clear vision for the future of downtown and our waterfront into thoughtful action, moving forward with purpose while remaining focused on what will best serve Eustis residents for generations to come,” said Eustis Mayor Emily Lee.
Isaac Thomas and Graves said they would be among the residents opposing the project at Thursday’s commission meeting.
Both residents pointed out that no replacement for the community center has been identified, while the city has floated the idea of using a nearby church or senior center for events.
“Don’t invite us to go to LifePoint Church for our events. We have a building right here. Get you a place of your own and leave ours alone,” said Isaac Thomas.
The developer sent Channel 9 the following statement:
Danelle Hoffer with Cyner Green sent Channel 9 the following statement:
“Aquilo has been conceived specifically as a catalyst for downtown Eustis—connecting the lakefront to the downtown core and creating a walkable destination that brings together hospitality, dining, retail, public gathering spaces and waterfront activity.
The project has continued to evolve throughout this process as we have listened to feedback, studied the site and worked alongside the City. Our current design places a great emphasis on hospitality, public gathering areas, restaurants and retail, pedestrian connections, and activation of the waterfront.
We believe this is an extraordinary opportunity to create a destination that complements downtown Eustis, supports existing businesses, attracts new visitors and investment, and creates a stronger connection between downtown and Lake Eustis. We remain committed to working collaboratively with the City and community as the project moves through the public development and approval process.”
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