CLERMONT, Fla. – A proposed downtown parking facility is sparking a wave of concern among Clermont’s business proprietors and locals alike, who worry the development could disrupt local commerce, increase traffic, and alter the cherished ambiance of the downtown area.
Leading the charge is Tim Adams, proprietor of Clermont Orthodontics, who is set to circulate a detailed four-page document to downtown businesses this week. His message is clear: rally against the establishment of a parking structure on the city-owned lot adjacent to 7th Street and West Minneola Avenue.
“I plan to deliver this letter to all enterprises within the downtown Clermont vicinity to ensure everyone understands the implications at play,” Adams stated.
The scale of the proposed structure remains Adams’ primary worry, as he fears it might obscure nearby businesses from view and impact their visibility significantly.
“This proposed parking garage is enormous,” Adams expressed. “It would overshadow all the neighboring businesses, rendering them invisible behind this colossal construction.”
Adams said businesses including Mullets, Family Table and other nearby businesses could be affected if a large parking structure is built at the site.
He contacted us after watching a News 6 report about the city’s efforts to evaluate potential locations for a downtown parking garage.
The city is currently considering two potential locations: one behind City Hall and another near Minneola Avenue and 7th Street. The city has formed a special committee to evaluate the potential project and its possible locations.
Mike Wacht with the City of Clermont said the Minneola Avenue and 7th Street location already has parking, which could make it easier to develop.
“There’s already parking, existing parking there,” Wacht said. “So it doesn’t require redevelopment. It doesn’t require knocking down buildings or having an impact on the commercial district.”
But some residents are concerned about how a parking garage could affect traffic in the surrounding neighborhood.
Jared Batchelor, a Clermont resident, said additional traffic could create safety concerns for pedestrians and people using scooters and bicycles.
“You’re going to increase accidents,” Batchelor said. “You have a lot of kids going around on motorized scooters. Motorized bikes, got a lot of pedestrians with their foot traffic, with their pets. Pushing traffic through the residential side is never a good thing.”
The area near 7th Street and Minneola Avenue is already used for public parking. City information lists multiple downtown parking areas, including lots along 7th Street between Montrose Street and Minneola Avenue and between Minneola Avenue and Osceola Street.
Another potential location is just up the street, behind City Hall.
Some residents say they would prefer a location farther from the waterfront while still keeping the garage within walking distance of downtown.
“Let’s not try to start the waterfront,” Clermont resident Adam Atherton said. “Maybe something that’s back a couple of blocks so you can still get there.”
Amanda Walsh, owner of Cheeser’s Palace Cafe, said putting a garage near the waterfront could affect the real estate surrounding downtown.
“If you put it down by the water, you really take away from the real estate that impacts the downtown area,” Walsh said.
For now, no final location, design or size for the parking garage has been approved.
The special committee will continue evaluating the potential locations and other details of the project before making a recommendation to city leaders. News 6 reported that the committee is considering the City Hall and Minneola Avenue/7th Street sites.
The debate comes as Clermont continues to consider how to provide additional downtown parking while balancing the needs of businesses, residents and the city’s existing downtown environment.
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