The revitalization that has taken place in downtown Ocala is quite evident. The square is bustling, there are lots of new restaurants and shops, and plenty is going on downtown on any given weekend or holiday. However, Midtown has not experienced the same redevelopment and revitalization, and it is this area of town that is next on the list for a makeover.
Midtown, which is the area of the city on the opposite side of Silver Springs Boulevard from where downtown is located, is lacking in business development, is run down and is in need of new life . The good news is that last week, the Ocala City Council approved the hiring of consultants aiming to revamp Midtown. It won't be an easy or inexpensive task, but it will definitely be worth it.
The consultants will begin work in July and will finish at the end of February 2017. The development plans include many community engagements as well as roundtable stakeholder meetings with brokers, developers, social service agencies and local businesses.
The redevelopment project will have three phases and many incremental steps in order to put the master plan in place. Although Midtown includes many economic use businesses, there is a lack of synergy among the judicial buildings, legal offices, medical buildings and cultural facilities. There are, however, very valuable businesses and services here, including the Interfaith Emergency Services and the Salvation Army's Center of Hope. There are also cultural and recreational attractions, such as the Tuscawilla Park and arts district, the Reilly Arts Center, and the Discovery Center on Sanchez Avenue. More money, however, needs to be invested in these businesses, services, and cultural centers in order for Midtown to thrive. The Ocala community has shown a great interest in Midtown’s success, and now it is time to make it happen. For more details on the development, read the full article at ocala.com.
