ORLANDO, Fla. —  Major changes are on the way for Lake Eola Park starting Monday.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 4 City Commissioner Patty Sheehan joined the Orlando Land Trust to kick off the demolition of a building at 1 Rosalind Ave.

The awning of the old 7-Eleven store at the intersection of Central and Rosalind was torn down to mark the start of the process. The demolition, when complete, will clear the way for an expansion of the park around Lake Eola, one of Orlando's signature landmarks.

The change will help add green space downtown when those areas are dwindling and will help the overall mood of the area's residents, Dyer said.

"We also learned during the (COVID-19) pandemic how important it is to have places to go outside and to recreate so that's another aspect, and quite honestly, this hasn't been the most aesthetic space for a very long time," Dyer added.

It will be transformed into an interim plaza and green space for the park. Other renovations, such as an improved streetscape, landscaping and lighting, are also in the plans. The project is expected to be completed in the fall.