SANFORD, FLA. — Demolition work has commenced on Flea World, the one-time home of “the nation’s largest flea market under one roof,” in Sanford approximately 25 miles north of Orlando.
The 118-acre site is being cleared to make way for Reagan Center, a mixed-use project that could eventually include as much as 2.4 million square feet of offices, restaurants, retail stores, apartments and townhomes. The property is situated on U.S. Route 17 at Ronald Reagan Boulevard and County Home Road.
The 34-year-old flea market space is situated directly across from the Seminole County Government Operations Center, the courthouse and Seminole State College. Reagan Center’s construction will kick off a 20-year effort by the municipalities of Seminole County, Sanford, Lake Mary, Winter Springs, Longwood and Casselberry to create an economic development corridor along Route 17.
“Reagan Center will create employment opportunities for thousands of Central Floridians over the next decade and will be a major economic engine,” says Paul Partyka, partner at NAI Realvest in Orlando and the broker of record for the $300 million development. “Because of its location, size and economic impact, Reagan Center will rank as one of Florida’s benchmark development projects.”
Hastings Homes is carrying out the demolition of Flea World, which is scheduled for completion in June 2016. The market closed during August 2015.
Park Square Homes expects to begin construction on townhomes within the new development site this July.
RM Strategies and IBI Group manage the Reagan Center project.
— Nellie Day