City staff says developer plans to close on and redevelop boarded Salvation Army Center of Hope

Board members asked about the boarded Salvation Army Center of Hope on Spallinga Avenue and were told a prospective buyer is moving toward closing and plans to redevelop the building.

A board member described the Center of Hope as “really depressing” and asked whether the city was working with the building owner. Michelle Calder, a city project manager, said staff met with the prospective property owner at a technical review committee meeting the same morning and that the buyer expects to close on the property in July.

Calder said the prospective owner described plans that include retail uses, boat storage and office space. She said the developer has completed downtown redevelopment work in Leesburg and Ocala and that staff will circulate more detailed depictions of the proposed uses once the sale closes. Calder also said the building floods at times and that the prospective owner is aware of the issue and is planning mitigation steps rather than demolishing the structure.

Paula Long of the planning department was identified as the staff member assigned to the earlier task force that evaluated the rec center across the street; Long will have the most up‑to‑date information about the building and task force recommendations, staff said. Board members discussed the site in the context of broader downtown investments including ballpark improvements.

No formal action was taken; staff said they will provide redevelopment details to the board after the developer closes on the property.