Medical company could bring 700 jobs to Lake Mary

LAKE MARY, Fla. — Eyewitness News found out another major employer is planning to move in to Lake Mary.

WFTV found out a company in the medical field is in the closing stages of securing the Rinehart Place development, which was originally slated to be a high-end shopping center.

The site at State Road 46 and Rinehart Road is expected to bring up to 700 jobs in the medical field.

The original developer stopped halfway through the project.

The roofing materials for the roof that was never finished have been sitting for four years.

WFTV learned the company is planning to lease space in the main building to shops and restaurants, and use the back buildings for their own business and jobs.

The landscaping is the only fresh-looking part of the would-be Rinehart Place shopping plaza.

The buildings were left half-done with gaping holes where windows would go and no roofs.

"You look at that, it is an eyesore, yes," said Seminole County resident Jim Harris.

"We were wondering what was happening; Maybe the owner didn't have enough finances, you know," said Seminole County resident Awilda Rivera.

That's exactly what happened, the project first halted almost four years ago to the day when the economy tanked.

Not much has changed since then. Under a thick layer of dust, construction materials left behind by the developer can still be seen.

A medical company is planning to turn the buildings into booming offices, bringing in between 600 and 700 jobs.

"That's great. It's going to be really busy more traffic but that's great," Rivera said.

"That'd be great for our economy in our area, be real good," Seminole County resident Jackie Goodman said.

The site's broker said the medical company in talks to buy the $7 million property asked for confidentiality.

The broker said construction is expected to resume as early as this fall.

"It's really a high-tech corridor. It's definitely a benefit to the community," Harris said.

Inspectors were at the site Wednesday. WFTV was told the company is doing soil and building inspections before closing on the deal.

WFTV asked state officials whether any company was in talks to get tax incentives for buying the property, but until the company's name is announced, there's no way to find out.

WFTV