ORLANDO, Fla. — New developments near Orlando Executive Airport are expected to boost business on a long-neglected portion of Colonial Drive and generate $300,000 for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority budget.
Three new developments -- a Wawa, Gordon Food Service Marketplace, and a Microtel Inn & Suites with 74 guestrooms -- are expected to be constructed.
The areas near Maguire Road and Amelia Street and the intersections of Colonial Drive and Bennett Road are currently peppered with empty land, vacant lots and unoccupied storefronts.
Kevin Garner said he used to come to the area when it was occupied by restaurants. Now, he just pulls into the shade of an empty lot for his lunch breaks.
"I actually saw them surveying, so I knew something was coming up," said Garner, who works nearby.
The Wawa and Gordon Food Service Marketplace would be built on four acres of land over the next two years where Pizzaria Uno and Amigo's restaurant used to sit.
Wyndham's $4 million Microtel will be built at the corner of Maguire Road and Amelia Street, near volleyball courts.
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Executive Director Phil Brown said the new construction has allowed the airport to work with the developer of the nearby plaza to fill empty stores.
"They, too, have seen the upturn in the economy, and they are looking to make some investments," Brown said.
Kevin Garner, a nearby employee, said the developments would give residents like him a new place to go.
"Little by little, everything will come together," Garner said.
The airport said it won't know how much the development will add to the county and city tax base until the properties are built.
WFTV
