Sanford joins Seminole County study of airport-area hospitality submarket

City economic development staff told the commission Sept. 8 they will participate in a Seminole County‑led submarket study of the airport-area hospitality and development submarket, a study the county is using to evaluate unsolicited proposals for new development, including hotels and supporting infrastructure near the Boomba sports complex.

Brady Lessard said county tourism-development staff asked the city to partner on an updated study of the market around East Lake Mary Boulevard and the airport corridors. Lessard described the analysis as part of a broader county effort connected to a proposed indoor sports complex and horizontal infrastructure improvements. He said the study would help the county and private developers evaluate market demand for new hotels and related projects; he characterized the city’s role as a partner rather than the principal sponsor.

Commissioners asked who benefits from the study and whether the city should participate financially; Lessard said Seminole County and the airport area are primary beneficiaries but that property taxes for any new development on taxable land would flow into the city’s tax base if development occurs on city‑taxable parcels. Lessard said a privately developed Allegiant hotel is nearing completion and that the county-driven work aims to attract additional private-sector proposals.

Outcome at the session: staff will continue to work with Seminole County and the county’s tourism-development council on the study and return with information about the interlocal agreement and funding responsibilities. No formal city commitment to a particular funding share was finalized at the work session.