CLERMONT, Fla. – Downtown Clermont has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, evolving from a quiet area into a bustling hub for entrepreneurs and visitors alike.
As new bars and restaurants have opened their doors, the area has become a sought-after destination, attracting both locals and tourists. However, this growth has brought with it a significant challenge: parking.
Revitalization Efforts
“Twenty years ago, it wasn’t uncommon to come downtown and by five o’clock, pretty much everything was closed up. You could find ample parking because nobody was here, and now, we have a bustling downtown,” said Amanda Nethero, the owner of New Heights Communication, a marketing and public relations firm located on Montrose Street in the heart of downtown Clermont.
Nethero is also a board member of Clermont Mainstreet, an organization dedicated to boosting local businesses.
Nethero credits local businesses for helping to revitalize Downtown Clermont, which has invested in murals in the city’s new arts district and hosted events like wine walks, food truck Fridays and weekly farmers markets.
“(Now), it’s not uncommon to see a ton of people downtown on Saturday night whether they’re parking their boat and coming up to the downtown area or they went on a run in the morning and they’re coming up to get some coffee and breakfast,” said Nethero. “You see people throughout the day, which is fantastic.”
Clermont’s population has also nearly doubled in the last decade, leading to new developments including the Lumberyard District along Lake Minneola, which promises to bring even more shops, restaurants, and apartments to the downtown area.
The Parking Predicament
Over the years, residents and visitors have voiced their concerns about the parking situation in Downtown Clermont, particularly during popular events such as the farmers market and food truck nights.
Eva Dole, e-mailed News 6, expressing her frustration, stating, “downtown Clermont is great, but the parking is a mess whenever the farmers market or First Friday food trucks is going on!”
Similarly, Mark Libretto e-mailed: “The downtown development is a good thing. But the traffic is becoming unbearable.”
Mike Sorensen added, “The downtown area is great. With cool breweries and food. Roadways need work.”
These sentiments reflect a growing concern among the community about the need for improved parking solutions as the area continues to thrive.
In 2024, Amanda Walsh, the owner of Cheeser’s Palace Cafe, told News 6 that while the Lumberyard District is a welcome addition, the city must address the parking challenges.
“As a business owner, we’re thrilled, but we’re bursting at the seams,” said Walsh. “Here’s the problem: we already have trouble with parking. That’s the number one negative issue with our historic downtown.”
Clermont’s Interim City Manager Rick Van Wagner acknowledged the parking concerns, stating that the city is exploring solutions, including a new parking garage, acquiring additional parking lots and utilizing shuttles during special events.
In July 2024, a parking study commissioned by the city found that during non-event days, there is adequate parking with more than 1,000 spaces in the downtown area. However, during special events, more than 90% of those parking spaces are often filled up.
Van Wagner acknowledged it would take years before a parking garage could be built and that it could cost between $9 million and $15 million, but he said city leaders have already identified potential funding sources.