WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — A fix is coming for a parking problem in downtown Winter Garden.
With an estimated 4-to-5,000 people descending on downtown Winter Garden on weekends, the locals say they need more parking.
"It's gotten really bad," said resident Amy Jennings.
"A lot of times we drive and then end up going home because we can't park," said resident Aaron Gaus.
City leaders are planning to add a three-level garage to replace the Boyd Street lot at a price tag topping $7 million.
"This is critical for our next stage in the growth of our downtown," said City Manager Mike Bollhoefer.
"We have a brewery now, the pizza company, all kind of things to try out; the Splash Pad. It's just awesome down here," said Jennings.
To continue the growth, city leaders and resident agree that you have to spend money to make money.
In a town where property values continue to increase, the cost wasn't their biggest concern.
"If they can tastefully do it and tie it into where it doesn't look like its standing out," Gaus said.
"If you look at our downtown, we're very careful about making sure all the buildings fit in so we don't lose the character and charm that describe us," said Bollhoefer.
Bollhoefer said the developer designed the nearly 500-parking spot garage that fits and will be funded with community redevelopment money and street impact fees.
"Taxpayers understand, they don't mind using tax payer dollars as long as you use it wisely and everyone benefits from it," said Bollhoefer.
In addition to that new parking garage, city leaders said they are already looking at other places to extend parking.
City leaders plan to present a finalized contract to the city commission later this month or in early July.
Leaders also said the new garage should be completed by early next fall.