Kissimmee parks director reports park construction, civic center demolition plan and two state grant applications

Assistant Director Matt Libby, of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, told a city parks meeting that Lancaster Ranch Phase 1B has broken ground and includes a pavilion, a playground and an internal trail; Mount Durbin Park Community Center remains in the design phase; and the city is negotiating with a private developer to demolish and rebuild the Civic Center with an attached hotel.

The update matters because the projects affect city event capacity, park amenities and near-term scheduling for rentals and festivals. Libby said the Civic Center redevelopment will require a full shutdown and demolition early next year and will pause larger private rentals while staff shift events to smaller city venues.

Libby summarized current project status and timelines. "We've broken ground on…