After more than a decade of planning, delays and building, Oviedo on the Park is about to open, and the new development is poised to become the new city center.
"People want a place that they can just walk to dinner, walk home, just kind of get together with friends," said Mary Strickland, who owns nearby TJ's Seafood Shack, and said she's been getting more customers lately. "It's definitely increased the business around here."
People are already living in the new development's apartments and townhomes. The park will officially open in May, complete with a lake, paddleboats, a veteran's memorial, playgrounds and multiple performance stages.
"Right from the start, we said we'd make it first-class, and I think we hit it with a bull's-eye," said Oviedo Mayor Dominic Persampiere.
City leaders began planning the $10 million project in 2001, but they ran into development and economic delays for years. Finally, in 2013, the site was cleared, and construction began.
Much of Oviedo's old, historic downtown city center will soon be torn down to make way for a major traffic improvement project. As Oviedo on the Park becomes the new city center, city leaders hope it also connects people to the old downtown and revitalizes the entire area economically.
Oviedo on the Park is also set to become the site of a new, regular food truck event. City leaders signed a deal recently to have food truck vendors at the new park on a regular basis.
"We really anticipate this becoming not only a city center for Oviedo, but for everybody in southeastern Seminole County," said Persampiere.
"I think it will be good for the area, good for businesses and good for the economy," said Oviedo resident Walt Lavendar.
Oviedo on the Park is located off East Mitchell Hammock Road, near the intersection of Alafaya Trail.
City leaders will officially open the park and its cultural center building on Saturday, May 16. The veteran's memorial will be dedicated on Memorial Day.