KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A groundbreaking Wednesday marked the beginning of construction on $65 million project aimed at bringing new residents into downtown Kissimmee.
As local leaders dug shovels into the ground near Pleasant Street, the engine of SunRail rumbled close by. Mayor Jim Swan said a planned expansion of the commuter rail has been a big attraction for developers.
"I don't think anybody would have shown any real interest without (SunRail)," said Swan.
Phase one of the project, called Toho Square, will bring 37 apartments and 13 townhomes to an area near Lake Tohopekaliga. A parking garage with roughly 400 spaces will also be built on site.
Phase two, called Hansell Plant, will include more apartments, a 120-room hotel and 15,000 square feet of commercial space.
"It will be complimentary to what you have downtown. So, it's the same type of general retail, shops and restaurant type pieces," said Marc Mariano, partner with Mosaic Development.
Construction on phase one is expected to be complete next summer. A SunRail station near the project is scheduled to be completed in 2018.