The extra green space on the site where Florida Hospital Waterman once stood is nice, city leaders admit.
But now, with the economy percolating again, Eustis officials have decided it’s time to make a concerted effort with the property’s owners to sell the 4.8 acres for commercial and residential development to boost the city’s tax roll and bring more people downtown.
Waterman’s move to Tavares in 2003 and the old hospital’s demolition left a hole downtown that has been difficult to fill. Some of the remaining vacant space has been put to use including for carnival rides during the Eustis GeorgeFest celebration, but officials envision as many as 104 housing units along with retail, office and commercial space in three city blocks dubbed as “a developer’s dream locale.”