Work begins on Seminole County development meant to bring food options to underserved community
Eastern Seminole County has seen a recent surge in residential development, but the nearest grocery store for the people who live there is miles away.
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However, crews have begun the work to clear land for a different kind of development meant to address the problem.
At the corner of Lake Mary Blvd. and State Road 46, prep work has begun on 25 acres of land for the new King’s Crossing Development. The big “anchor” tenant for the project is a Publix grocery store.
“It’s easily a 10 to 15 minute drive to get to a full-service grocery store, a little further if you want to get to a pharmacy,” resident Timothy Cerjan said. “As this area is developing and growing so quickly with more and more families, you need more and more resources and retail near us.
Cerjan is one of thousands of people who moved into the growing region of the county in recent years.
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The closest Publix to the area is in Deltona.
The new store is expected to draw residents not only from the neighboring communities, but from Midway and Geneva as well.
The City of Sanford says King’s Crossing will also house a Wawa and other retail stores. 261 apartments are also planned to be built on the site.
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Sanford officials say the property taxes from the completed project will be a much-needed shot in the arm for the city’s budget, and the influx of residents from the apartments will boost sales at existing businesses in and around downtown.
King’s Crossing is expected to be completed by late 2023.
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