DEBARY, Fla. – After a decade of planning, DeBary city leaders broke ground Wednesday on what will be a downtown and Main Street area.
“To look at all of the work that we’ve done and try to put all the pieces together. It certainly touches your emotions,” said Carmen Rosamonda, DeBary city manager.
It was the beginning of a downtown that will be built from scratch. It was a vision Rosamonda said he started working towards when he first started with the city 20 years ago.
“DeBary was once known as ‘dead-bary’. We’ll no longer be known as ‘dead-bary’,” he said.
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Rosamonda said it took years for an agreement with property owners to sell to developers and to get developers on board.
The 52-acre lot on the corner off U.S. 17-92 and Fort Florida Road is right next to the SunRail station and is surrounded by biking trails and state parks.
“You have a ton of ecotourism right here in downtown. That’s what makes it unique and I think that’s why we’ll be able to compete with other downtowns,” said Rosamonda.
The city said it will be built in two phases. Phase one will be over 270 townhomes and retail space. The second phase, which they hope to break ground later this year, will be about 450 apartments units and more retail space.
There will also be a space for concerts and a park.
“We would love to be in the middle of everything,” said Kimberly Vivero, owner of Nona Maria’s restaurant.
Residents and business owners told News 6 they are already lining up to move in.
The city and developers hope to have it all built by the end of 2027.
“DeBary just like my business. It’s an up-and-coming entity. It’s growing fast. It’s going to be something great and showcase hidden talent that’s right here in DeBary,” said Brian Obeso, owner of Cheesecake Chinos.
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