Austin Gunther, representing developer group g3c2, presented a conceptual plan to the City of Eustis commission on May 1 for three downtown blocks that would combine a mixed-use building with a large parking deck, townhome-style residences and a separate block with a boutique hotel, community center and restaurant.

Gunther said the blocks are laid out so the garage and mixed-use would sit closest to existing downtown activity, with the hotel and community center oriented to the lake. He described approximate sizes and cost ranges: the mixed-use building at about 74,000 square feet with a cost estimate of $16 million to $18 million; a 5-level precast parking garage estimated at $12 million to $15 million; townhomes estimated $9 million to $12 million; and a potential 80–100-room boutique hotel estimated at $16 million to $20 million. He said site-prep and permitting timelines vary; a mixed-use and parking block could take roughly 18 to 24 months to be “block up ready,” while the hotel block could take 24 to 30 months depending on demand and financing.

Gunther asked the commission for direction to negotiate a development agreement, to define phasing, responsibilities for infrastructure and incentive structures. The developer offered options for ownership and leasing — for example, building and leasing a garage or leasing back a community center — and said he wanted the commission to digest the concept and return questions in a follow-up workshop.

Commissioners tentatively agreed to hold follow-up sessions. Staff, with Mr. Gunther’s team standing by, settled on a tentative workshop at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, and to reserve Thursday, May 8, for additional discussion of the city master plan and the developer’s proposal. Gunther said he and his partners would be available for the May 6 meeting and asked for an opportunity to return with more detailed financials during the negotiation phase.

Public comments during the audience-to-be-heard period addressed the same downtown topics. Several merchants and residents urged a strong lakefront emphasis and said parking and pedestrian access must be protected during any redevelopment. Kevin Genes of Peddlers Wagon and David Luke, a long-time downtown restaurant owner, both said the city’s lakefront is the main economic draw and urged developers and commissioners to orient hotels, restaurants and major attractions toward the water. Retailers and downtown business owners raised concerns about current curbside parking being used by employees and tenants during business hours and asked the city to consider timed parking or other enforcement to keep spaces available for customers while future parking structures are planned.

Other commenters called for enhanced bicycle and trail connections through town, better marketing of CRA-funded renovation programs, and more downtown events to increase weekday foot traffic. Chief of police Greg Capri and other staff said the recent Bike Fest/bike rally was well attended, produced no traffic problems, and demonstrated the potential of events to draw people downtown.

The commission did not act on incentives or any development agreement at the May 1 meeting; it directed staff to schedule the workshops so commissioners can review the master plan and the proposal in more detail before authorizing negotiations or incentives.