SANFORD'S

BY PAMELA LYNCH CITY OF SANFORD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Today’s Sanford is a 30-year “overnight” success. Although the City is almost 150 years old, the downtown area has seen a true renaissance and reinvention over the past 30 years. Private-sector investment has been spurred on by the work of the Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), which will complete its 30-year lifespan in 2025. Of course, the locals play a big part in this success, but it’s good to note that the love for “Sanfording” draws visitors from over the bridge, as well as other areas of Central Florida and beyond. They say if you build it, they will come. We say, if it’s built right, they will come and continue to come again. The wonderful thing about downtown, besides the efficient and timeless grid pattern, is its ability to adapt to ever-changing tastes, preferences, and times. Some longstanding, over 100-year-old vacant buildings, are about to get new life. From a co-working facility, to multi-family housing, to even a restaurant offering dragon-fire feasting, Downtown Sanford provides character and charm, coupled with unique, edgy places to dine, shop, and have a great time.

Much activity is occurring at the Sanford Airport, and both aviation and non-aviation businesses flourish there. In addition to Allegiant flying to over seventy destinations from Sanford, international flights to Canada are growing. There is a sizable amount of available land at the airport. What could this mean for Sanford? Interest from aviation companies, cargo carriers, and others means more jobs and economic output for the City. The Sanford Airport is in the driver seat, or shall we say pilot seat, with readily available land and a new land-use development plan that will help navigate the airport to an even higher altitude.

Like all shopping malls throughout the country, the Seminole Towne Mall area has also felt the A&P (Amazon and Pandemic) punch. Elev8 is utilizing the full Sears space and discussions with various developers to bring multi-family, hotel, or other retail uses that will give new energy to the mall area. The mall locality is somewhat of a chameleon that will flourish with new colors shortly. The very close proximity to Interstate 4 and State Road 417, partnered with nearby solidified establishments, will put this area on a new growth path going forward.

Sanford has space, and we are ready to bring manufacturing and industry here. Take a drive down St. Johns Parkway, situated in our Westside Industry & Commerce (WIC) area, and you will find brand-new logistics and warehouse space with availability from 15,000 to over 200,000 square feet, which proves that if it’s built right, they will come. Sanford may be a 30-year “overnight” success, but we are just getting started! n

Seminole County boasts quite a few great mom-and-pop restaurants. In the food and beverage business, places can come and go quickly, but the good ones stay around for a long, long time. There is a reason for that: quality food, friendly and efficient service, and decent prices—you get a good bang for your buck.

Now, while Seminole County’s greatest concentration of superior mom-and-pop restaurants is in the Downtown Sanford District (DTS), there are other great locally owned restaurants scattered around Seminole County, well worth your time if you like good food, service, and value.

My top pick for Seminole County, Lonnie’s in Lake Mary, unfortunately closed recently, but only because of leasing issues. I sure hope Lonnie’s returns because it was the very best. Come back, Chef Lonnie!

Lake Mary boasts other fine restaurants, well worth your time if you want to venture out of DTS. A top pick for me is Terramia Brick Oven Pizza & Trattoria. You know the food is good when there is almost always a wait, so plan ahead and go early. While they have great, authentic Italian food, I’d argue that their pizza is the best I’ve ever had, bar none. Seminole County boasts a second fine Italian restaurant with the Terramia name—Terramia Ristorante in Altamonte Springs.

In the plaza just across the road you can find the Vineyard Wine Company, great fine dining in Lake Mary. A nice atmosphere and great