By Roger Jimenez
The city of Kissimmee is taking significant steps to rejuvenate the Vine Street Corridor, a historically important area that serves as a gateway to the city.
Through various initiatives, including the transformation of the former Super8 Motel into affordable housing and partnerships with economic development organizations, the city is breathing new life into this key area.
New efforts aimed to attract businesses, enhance the local economy, and create a flourishing community hub, reflect the city's commitment to sustainable growth and revitalization while maintaining its historical charm.
Where is the Vine Street Corridor?
The Vine Street Corridor in Kissimmee spans one-quarter mile along Vine Street (HW 192), from N. Bass Road to Denn John Lane.
This bustling area includes key destinations such as Shingle Creek Regional Park, major commercial plazas, the Kissimmee Gateway Airport, the Kissimmee Medical Arts District, and Valencia College.
Encompassing 1,064 acres of non-residential space, the corridor currently hosts over 6 million gross square feet of commercial space, with the potential for an impressive 250 million total square feet. Alongside its commercial significance, the Vine Street Corridor is also rich in natural beauty, holding scenic views of Shingle Creek and Lake Tohopekaliga.
Plans + Partnerships For Renovations
The city has made affordable housing a priority, actively repurposing abandoned and underutilized properties to create new residential spaces. This ongoing effort aims to address the housing shortage while revitalizing neglected areas, turning them into functional, livable communities.
Since June 2023, the city of Kissimmee has been working to transform the former Super8 Motel on West Vine Street into “Haven on the Vine,” an affordable housing complex.
Credit: City of Kissimmee (Haven on the Vine)
Set for completion by the end of the year, the project has already drawn numerous applications. The complex will feature three sectors, with the main motel converted into studio apartments, including a community room and pool. Renovations on two-bedroom units are nearly finished, while 40 units will serve as emergency and bridge housing, totaling 123 units by the end of 2024. This revitalization was made possible through a mix of local and federal funding, including $1.8 million from the Community Project Funding process, and is backed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
To further advance the ongoing renovations, the city is forging strategic partnerships aimed at bringing new businesses and fostering economic growth in the corridor.
The city is partnering with the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) to attract larger businesses to Vine Street. The OEP will conduct a year-long market analysis to identify economic opportunities and challenges, with recommendations expected within six months to guide future development. This initiative is crucial as the city seeks to grow despite having only 850 acres of undeveloped land remaining.
This partnership is just the first update to the Vine Street Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Plan, an initiative that began in 2012. The renewed goals of the CRA Plan is to “refine the plan’s objectives, programs, and incentives for the next decade.” The plan and its adoption is estimated to be completed by winter of 2025.
Credit: City of Kissimmee
Want to learn more about the project, and give your input on the updated 2012 plan?
Overall
Kissimmee’s revitalization of the Vine Street Corridor showcases a forward-thinking approach to community development. Through affordable housing projects and strategic partnerships aimed at economic growth, the city is actively transforming underutilized spaces into vibrant areas for both residents and businesses.
The commitment to renewal is sure to set the stage for long-term prosperity, making the Vine Street Corridor a key area to watch out for in the near future.
Header Credit: City of Kissimmee
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