TAVARES, Fla. — Tavares officials have big plans to make the city a premier destination in Lake County.
The city manager said transforming an old county records center into a town square is the last piece of the downtown master plan.
While the city said it's already making an impact, critics aren't yet sold on the idea. Some think the city is moving too fast but officials said buying the building is part of the master plan.
"Tavares has been going through what I would refer to as a renaissance period," said city administrator John Druey.
City leaders have since built areas to accommodate more seaplanes, added a train station to transport tourists and added a pier, wedding pavilion and splash park.
But Druey said they're not done yet.
"One of the final pieces is the purchase of the clerks building," said Druey.
Officials said they want to sell one-third of the property to developers and leave the remaining land as an open green space that will be used for events and concerts.
Resident Janet Manchon spends a lot of time downtown and said the city has done a great job with the improvements.
"I love the additions that have made on the waterfront," she said.
But Manchon isn’t sure about the latest proposal.
"I think it's a little early to take on another project," she said.
Officials said they believe the improvements will provide an economic windfall for the city, saying they're already seeing signs it's working.
WFTV
