EUSTIS, Fla. — Commissioners debated whether downtown activation should be driven first by multi‑family residential units, a hotel with event space, or a mix of uses designed to attract visitors and support restaurants and retail.

Consultants said in comparable towns the most consistent catalyst for downtown activity has been added residential density near the core; that resident base sustains food and entertainment uses in off‑peak hours. "One of the ways these communities restart themselves is with residential," consultant Mike Gohman said, citing other projects that combined amenities and residential units to attract market demand.

Some commissioners argued the waterfront and recreational anchors (boaters, sailing events, possible seaplane interest) point toward a hotel and event space as priority uses so visitors can stay locally and support downtown businesses. Commissioner George and others urged a mixed approach: encourage residential on parcels immediately adjacent or one block off the core while prioritizing hotel/event and restaurant uses on the Waterman/waterfront parcels.

No formal policy change was made; commissioners asked staff and consultants to prepare site‑specific feasibility and financing analyses for residential and hotel scenarios so the commission can evaluate which mix best meets the city’s economic, fiscal and community goals.