Eustis needs more time to study land purchase

The whole matter is very, very speculative----and should be left to private capital and private developers. The people of Eustis should not be speculating on future conditions of perfection that no one can know about.

For example, the appraisers were told by the City to assume high densities that are not currently allowed on many of the parcels. Also, it is not known if the ground which is low and in some places filled in land can support the 5-6 story buildings the City is assuming can be built there. The hazardous waste contamination was not factored into the appraisals. And, no one knows when---in the future---the real estate market will be vigorous enough to support the purchase/rental of new and expensive residential or retail space.

No matter how the property is financed, it will all be tax dollars from the citizens of Eustis----whether from our electric bills, sales taxes, ad valorum taxes or from elsewhere.

I don't think rezoning will be an issue.

I think its funny that they blame downtowns collapse on the economy. Fact is downtown died when the hospital left; long before 2005. It's going to take someone, public or private, that can bring a draw to the area. The idea of building a mixed use development and people will come is dead. Look at all the other vacant space from college park to altamonte.

This Frank Gaylord scam is just another in a long list of great investments Frank has been involved in. He likes to play low key on the back burner. The reason Florida Hospital give him and his cronies the property was because of the well known contamination including infectious deseases like staph and mersa strains. They actually sprayed the debris as the building was being delomished in an effort to avoid the spread of infection as much as possible. This site should have been made into a memorial site for the thousands of people who died there suffering from these infections. This epidemic is just as bad if not worse in the new hospital as it was in the old. Many patients are becoming infected with mersa at Florida Waterman and some are then transfered to area nurseing homes to expose other patients. This is a serious matter that has been covered up for way to long.

I wish I could get the City of Eustis to buy my property today in this depressed economy and allow me or some other Developer the option of buying it back in the future.

It is a waste of taxpayers money. The City is going to control the development through zoning and density limits and if they want to spur growth on that property make it a tax and impact free zone and let Private Developers benefit or fail based on the market conditions.

sjw wrote:

I don't think rezoning will be an issue.
I think its funny that they blame downtowns collapse on the economy. Fact is downtown died when the hospital left; long before 2005. It's going to take someone, public or private, that can bring a draw to the area. The idea of building a mixed use development and people will come is dead. Look at all the other vacant space from college park to altamonte.

Even before that I grow up here before going into the service. When the McDonalds was just put in and the drive in threater was still open.Town fathers raised cain on that going in because they did not want the town to grow and raise taxes.
now 25 years later Eustis is fighting to stay afloat bussiness wise. Even than no jobs for teens. Still no walk in threater no place to go they still roll up side walks aty 830pm.

Eustis thought more of their street party's than they did of their Main street customers parking. Many many times people complained about no parking, Urine and trash left until Tuesday and NO ONE in city hall listened. The man running the street situation was an ass and rude to people. "move cars on Wednesday for Friday night" We all just stopped going to Eustis and went else where to spend and earn our money. Good bye!!!!!!!! Eustis you had you last chance.

Thursday July 16th, voice your opposition at the city commission meeting!

You no one thing Eustis has never done is provided any entertanment of than fair no indoor movies no bowling only one put put gold over by the high way and have never seen ads
with talk of high spped train from orlando to tav.

And thinking about old rail line that runs through Eustis that comes nerar the old hosp. site what about an train station . would bring in people in trans that would need to eat or might see shops unknow to any but an few it runs to umt. I think too right aways in place except for an few miles .

I think maybe elders of town should start thinking. before town drys up and blows away with the side walks that roll up at night by 830

If they like my idea have them send me cup of coffee full lead none of that unleaded garbage

8th Degree wrote:

You no one thing Eustis has never done is provided any entertanment of than fair no indoor movies no bowling only one put put gold over by the high way and have never seen ads
with talk of high spped train from orlando to tav.
And thinking about old rail line that runs through Eustis that comes nerar the old hosp. site what about an train station . would bring in people in trans that would need to eat or might see shops unknow to any but an few it runs to umt. I think too right aways in place except for an few miles .
I think maybe elders of town should start thinking. before town drys up and blows away with the side walks that roll up at night by 830
If they like my idea have them send me cup of coffee full lead none of that unleaded garbage

I don' tknow what year you got here but the State Theatre (inside theatre) and the movie garden (drive inn theatre) for years had first run movies. Also off of Woodard Av they had one of the finest bowling alley's in central Florida. Presently Eustis has their downtown street parties about once a month. Even in these depression times (depending on whether you are out of a job or your neighbor is out of a job) Eustis has got some things going for the, What they are not going to do is pay Frank Gaylord and his cronies who were given the old Waterman Hospital property for free, several million taxpayers dollars for something the city could have had for free if Gaylord hadn't been sucked up to the Florida Waterman Hospital Board and beat the city to the free property. The city commission might not be to smart but the taxpayers are watching them and this scam ain't going to fly. Let ole Frank Gaylord "Fasquat" take his ugly arse to Highlands North Carolinia and stay for all we care.

The drive in threater behind the McDonalds now torn down long ago. Street Parties do not bring in other than locals and than parking never planed.
"Frank Gaylord and his cronies who were given the old Waterman Hospital " I fully agree that hosp sencond rate dirty never really cleaned the town council has hurt Eustis not wanting progress they owned the major stores."The city commission " They still can't be the same near sighted ones . Eustis is not bad don't mis-understand but not other small towns has stood still no big stores Rose's & k Mart now gone.
As I understand the old property being decided by town.
I went to school in the area Jr / high school before going into the Air Force. Not many changes took place .
Still not parking planed not bus's I've ever seen. No programs for teens to have chance at jobs besides McDonalds or B-king. Would like directings to this walk in movie threater. Recently tried to locate aid for computer up grade issue not in Eustis. Those listed left. No jobs even bore hard times.

8th Degree, I agree with some of what you are saying. I do believe that enough Eustis High School Alumni of Classes 1995 and present could definetly put a lot of input on the future development. I mean we are at a disadvantage when it comes to entertainment with downtown. Okay the every 1st friday street parties, majority family oriented. Simple things like a Game Works, movies theatre, bowling alley, and an upscale night club would be great. Now how the hell all that would fit, look at Clermonts Hillside Plaza it has damn near all those entertainment venues and they are doing well because of the young at heart i would say attends and do not have to commute to Orlando just to have a great time. Times have changed and out with the old in with the new should have came along with the new logo for the city of Eustis long time ago. Economic growth will have patential no doubt, jobs will be created the city has all that you can wish for but the wish has to be made realistic. One more thing with all those ideas you could fit in franchises such as Krispy Creams, Cold Stone (ice cream)for a round the clock business as well. All these ideas are what is in store for the future residents like myself that is 28 yrs old and raising my family right here at home is what we call it. Born and raised African-American that really thinks that the future of Downtown Eustis has more to offer than the norms of other Downtown areas. Time for a little change and diversity all around.