SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County commissioners on Tuesday approved a plan to redevelop the former site of Flea World near Sanford.
The commissioners approved plans for the new Reagan Center, which would include 1,003 multi-family units, 1.4 million square feet of office space, and nearly 300,000 square feet of retail.
The 110-acre property along Ronald Reagan Boulevard and 17-92 has been empty since Flea World closed in 2015.
Commissioner Jay Zembower sees the project as a boon to a corridor that has long been eyed for revitalization.
“It does so much for the spine of the county and the urban area and the urban corridor, and the development and getting what is arguably now an eyesore back on the market for affordable living in that corridor,” Zembrower said.
Some people and business owners near the area, however, say the development could make traffic issues and flooding worse.
“I don’t see how reducing the area where water naturally spreads out, how that is going to reduce or benefit anyone in that community or the people in the new development,” said Tally Sinclair, who owns 16 acres next to the property.
Developers said there will be modern retention systems to handle flooding issues.
Zembower said the infrastructure here will need an upgrade, especially the utility system, which is also something developers are looking at.
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