Eustis Community Center: Information & Updates
Current Status:
The City of Eustis is currently evaluating and accepting proposals regarding the potential sale and redevelopment of the Community Center property at 601 Northshore Drive. No sale has been approved and the City Commission has not made a final decision regarding the property. On September 22, 2026, the City opened a 30-day period for other interested parties to submit proposals for consideration. Any proposed purchase and sale agreement will be presented to the City Commission for consideration and final approval at a public meeting.
The Community Center remains open and operating, with current rentals, programs and scheduled events continuing as planned.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Has the City sold the Community Center?
No. The City Commission has not approved any sale. There is no agreement today.
2. What is happening?
On August 6, 2026 the Commission directed staff to begin discussions with a development team, to conduct due diligence, including appraisals, on what a purchase and sale agreement would look like. This direction authorized staff to evaluate a proposal; it did not constitute approval of a sale. On September 22, 2026, the City opened a 30-day period for other interested parties to submit proposals for consideration.
3. Is the Community Center still open?
Yes, the Community Center is open and operating. Rentals, programs and scheduled events are continuing as planned. If the City and a developer reach an agreement, nothing would change at the building for at least a year.
4. When will a decision be made?
No date has been set. The City is still in due diligence, negotiations and is accepting proposals. Any agreement would come back to the Commission for a vote at a public meeting.
5. Will the public get to weigh in?
Yes. Any agreement comes to the City Commission for a vote at a public meeting. An opportunity for public comments will be provided at the meeting.
6. Is the City accepting other proposals?
Yes. On September 22, 2026, the City opened a 30-day period for other interested parties to submit proposals for consideration.
7. What is the Downtown Master Plan?
The Downtown Master Plan provides a road map and vision for the future of the Downtown District, including Downtown Eustis, Ferran Park, the former Waterman Hospital site and connections between Downtown and Lake Eustis. The plan was developed through public workshops and was adopted by the City Commission in April of 2025.
Suggested projects address parking, public spaces, waterfront areas and opportunities for housing, commercial, retail and other elements of a vibrant Downtown.
Link to Downtown Masterplan(PDF, 55MB)
8. How many events does the Community Center host per year?
The Community Center hosted 179 events of various sizes last year.
9. Can the City put this decision to a referendum?
The Commission does not have authority to put the proposed sale to a referendum.
10. Is there any deed restriction that prevents the City from selling this property?
There is no existing restriction on the City selling this property.
11. How did this proposal come about?
A developer first approached the City in 2025 about a hotel and brewery concept on one of the Waterman blocks along Bay Street. Because another proposal was already under consideration for all three Waterman blocks, the City suggested the Community Center property as an alternative. A workshop was held, but the concept did not move forward at that time. The developer later re-engaged with the City, and the revised proposal came out of those discussions.
12. How much would it cost to fix up the existing Community Center?
The building has significant deferred maintenance. The City’s current, five-year Capital Improvement Plan includes approximately $700,000 in required maintenance items for the Community Center and City staff is working to develop a more comprehensive cost estimate and breakdown of the facility’s needs.
13. What is due diligence and where does it stand?
Due diligence is the City's process for evaluating whether a proposed project should move forward. It does not assume the project will happen. It includes appraisals, survey and title work, environmental review, zoning and land use, utilities and infrastructure, access and traffic, legal review, waterfront access, review of the development plan and verification that the developer has the financing and ability to complete the project. That process is currently underway.
14. Will the public still have access to the waterfront if the site is developed?
Yes. Public waterfront access would remain. The waterfront would continue to be protected, and the existing boat docks would remain publicly accessible.
15. How will this affect traffic on Northshore Drive?
Traffic and construction access would be evaluated through the development review process. The City will not speculate about specific impacts or construction routes until that review is completed.
16. Will this raise my property value?
The City cannot predict individual property values, which are set by the market. The City's goal is to add to the tax base and support the Downtown Master Plan implementation.
17. What would the City do with the money from a potential sale?
No decision has been made on how any sale proceeds would be used. Any use of those funds would be decided by the City Commission at a public meeting. Right now, the focus is on whether the project is feasible, fairly valued and consistent with the City's plans for Downtown.
18. What happens to the events and reservations if the Community Center is sold?
All reservations accepted by the City will be honored. Reservations may be made up to 12 months in advance. The City is evaluating how the Community Center's public functions could be relocated or replaced, if a sale ultimately moves forward, including the use of City-owned property and other locations. A specific site has not been identified.
The City is committed to ensuring that the Community Center will not close without a plan in place for the residents, programs and groups that currently use it.
19. What happens if the project does not move forward?
The City keeps the property and continues working toward the goals of the Downtown Master Plan. This proposal is one opportunity within that plan, not the plan itself.