-
Kissimmee officials highlighted the facilities near where a proposed downtown hotel adjacent to the current Civic Center could be built. PHOTO/CITY OF KISSIMMEE
The Kissimmee City Commission has directed staff to begin putting out feelers to see whether there is any interest in building an upscale hotel in downtown Kissimmee.
The commission approved sending out a RFQ (Request For Qualifications) to developers for the 13 acre-area, which includes the Kissimmee Civic Center and the parking lot.
“This is a rather exciting item I’ve been looking forward to presenting to you,” said Kissimmee Economic Development Director Tom Tomelin, who recently filled the shoes of Belinda Kirkegard.
While the proposed project was only in a preliminary phase and no exact details were discussed about the hotel, Tomelin said the city would be seeking a developer with a proven track record who could build an upscale lodging facility that would include conference space.
How it would affect the Civic Center is still a question. Tomelin said depending on the RFQs the city receives, the center could be demolished and rebuilt, or renovated with building the hotel.
“We are not ready to say that we are going renovate or demolish the civic center. We want to see what the redevelopment industry has to bring to the table first,” Tomelin said., Some of the selling points during the recent presentation to the commission included that the hotel market has improved since the COVID-19 pandemic. It would also be linked to city offerings such as Lakefront Park and the 30-plus eateries and beverage establishments as well as the shops lining downtown. Plus, the SunRail and Amtrak stations are in the vicinity.
“It just makes it an exceptional area and we would like to capitalize on that as much as we can,” Tomelin said.
The hotel could give the area an economic boost and create jobs. It also could lure visitors to spend time at the hotel with special events.
“We think a smart hotel group would see the kind of potential that exists with that,” Tomelin said. This isn’t the first time a hotel has been proposed in the downtown area. Mosaic, which is the developing condos and mixed-use space by the city lakefront, tried to market the space between the Toho Square parking garage and Ruby Avenue for a hotel for several years, but drew no interest, according to City Manager Mike Steigerwald.
City Commissioner Carlos Alvarez inquired whether the public would have a say in the proposal.
“I’m just looking forward to (hear) from the neighborhood the feedback from the residents about how it’s going to affect the quality of life,” he said.
But, Commissioner Angela Eady said with growth coming at the rate it has over the past decade with no slowdown in sight, a robust civic center and downtown are both needed.
“Why can’t we have both?” she asked. “We don’t need one or the other.”
Some of the other commissioners also raised that the civic center is used for recreational opportunities and a voting site. That wouldn’t change, Steigerwald said, even though he noted that facility is over 30 years old.
There would have to be public hearings held before any advancement of the project, Steigerwald added.
Committees were also expected to be established to look at proposals before a presentation was sent to the commission.
The commission voted 5-0 to begin moving forward with the RFQs.
