Eustis workshop locks in waterfront, radial trails and hotel as top downtown priorities
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Summary
Consultant Dr. Levy told commissioners their interviews and SWOT analysis converged on three near‑term priorities—waterfront activation, a radial trail network and attracting a downtown hotel—and commissioners asked staff to return with implementation steps at a Jan. 29 workshop.
EUSTIS, Fla. — A consultant leading a City of Eustis downtown workshop told the commission on Dec. 12 that five years of planning and interviews point to three near‑term priorities commissioners can act on: the lakefront, a network of radial trails to connect neighborhoods to downtown, and a downtown hotel.
Dr. Levy, who facilitated the session, presented results from one‑on‑one interviews with commissioners and staff and a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) assessment. After hearing commissioners’ concerns about execution and alignment, Dr. Levy summarized the group’s top priorities and urged decisive next steps. "The waterfront, the trails, and the hotel — that's what we're gonna lock in," he said.
Why it matters: Commissioners repeatedly framed the priorities as catalytic — small public investments in the public realm and connectivity would improve the marketability of downtown parcels, increase property values and make private redevelopment more likely. Commissioners discussed a vacant, multi‑block parcel (the former hospital site) and agreed the city need not rush land disposition but should build surrounding amenities and infrastructure to shape the timing and quality of future private investment.
Trails recommendation: Dr. Levy urged the commission to pursue a radial network of local trails that connect neighborhoods to downtown and to treat the larger regional railroad trail as a parallel, longer‑term initiative. He noted the regional trail requires multi‑jurisdictional coordination and right‑of‑way work that could take years and millions of dollars, but radial connections are largely under city control and could start quickly.
Facilities and waterfront: Commissioners discussed relocating the public pool and rethinking the city’s community center footprint to free key waterfront parcels for higher‑value uses while preserving community services. Commissioners and staff flagged environmental, design and ownership constraints for any waterfront interventions and tasked staff to explore feasible approaches and funding needs.
Next steps: Commissioners agreed to have staff package the consultant’s findings in a written summary, to schedule a follow‑up workshop on Thursday, Jan. 29, and to begin development of actionable project lists and timelines for the three priorities. Staff was asked to return with implementation scenarios, funding options and a clear sequence of tasks for the waterfront, radial trails and hotel pursuits.
The consultant cautioned that the market will ultimately determine timing and scale for private redevelopment, but that deliberate public investments can make the downtown opportunity more attractive and raise the likelihood of quality outcomes.
The City of Eustis Commission scheduled a Jan. 29 follow‑up workshop to review staff implementation proposals and next steps.