Feature Story and Photos by Larry H. Oskin
The City of Clermont has been working on its Downtown and Waterfront Development Plan for quite a few years and remains committed to keeping its community updated with ongoing quarterly updates.
The City’s Master Plan research findings show the need to create a high-quality sense of place, character and image.
In the 1940s Clermont was named the “Gem of the Hills” due to its beautiful rolling hills of citrus groves, scenic lakes, and picturesque setting.
Since the development of the South Lake Trail, the Olympic Training Center, Victory Pointe, multiple parks, recreational facilities, and state-of-the-art medical facilities, Clermont has become a top destination for families, tourism, athletic training, sporting events, shopping, arts, and recreation and Clermont’s name has changed to “Choice of Champions”.
Clermont Gateway Monuments have been added to the Highway 50 entrance into Downtown Clermont as well as 12th Street/ Hwy 50, and the Orange/Lake County Line. Downtown Clermont and the waterfront areas have successfully grown with numerous old and new restaurants including Cheeser’s Palace Café, Corelli’s Italian Restaurant & Pantry, Yummi’s, The Clermont Café, The Clermont Exchange, The Montrose Market and the newest Southern on 8th Restaurant. The Clermont Brewing Company and Suncreek Brewery have opened downtown as a top destination with food, dining and entertainment.
Some of the many other private projects over the past years include Lily’s On The Lake, Clermont Cabanas, The Florida Angler, Pepe’s Cantina, Savoree, Michael Ali, MAC’d Out, Dash Sports, Gray Collective Bridal Shop, Crawford, Modica & Holt, Orange Blossom Belle Boutique, Wiseman’s Popcorn and Triangle Vinyl. Some of the other planned private developments now include the Art District Building, Art Walk murals & sculptures, opening the Woodhouse Spa, enhancing Victory Village, adding Victory Pointe Luxury Townhomes and more projects to enhance the entire Waterfront Activation Zone.
With the help of many gracious donors, the Clermont Art Walk and Art District will soon open with extra opportunities for artists, art galleries, and restaurants. The Art Walk will stretch from West Montrose Street down to the Promenade area on West Osceola Street. Plans are underway to further update the downtown streetscapes, add affordable new housing and more parking over the next few years. More top-quality restaurants, hotels, rental properties, and hospitality venues are now in the works.
New connectivity project improvements will soon be made to the City Hall Park and Plaza while extending the Art Walk and expanding the South Lake Trail up to West Montrose Street.
The Clermont City Hall area boasts a beautiful greenspace park with free parking and recharging stations for electric vehicles.
One of the city’s long-term goals is to create a ‘Park Once Plan’, so residents and visitors can easily take advantage of everything that Downtown Clermont has to offer without extra driving and re-parking.
Another goal is to improve the connections between the waterfront and the growing Downtown Clermont area for leisure, recreation, shopping, dining, and hospitality. The waterfront park area will continue to expand with new businesses, restaurants, leisure activities, hospitality and lodging.
‘Meet Us In The Middle’ – Clermont is half-way between the east and west coasts of Florida and will be targeted for more waterfront area activity which will create new jobs and expand Clermont’s economic base.
Clermont Events now include Movies Under The Stars, The Great Clermont Campout, Clermont Cycle & Seek, Clermont Red, White & Boom, Stop Wishing & Go Fishing, Clermont Earth Day, Clermont Sips & Salsa, the return of Pig On The Pond Festival and more diverse year-end holiday events.
The Clermont Downtown Partnership continues to host exciting Downtown Clermont food, entertainment and holiday events. Thousands of visitors have regularly packed the streets during their special events and festivals. They hold an array of seasonal events, First Friday Food Truck events, Beer Crawls, Wine Walks, Craft Shows and their weekly Sunday Farmer’s Market. With coordinated teamwork and guidance from the City Manager and City Council the streets of Downtown Clermont are often buzzing with safe and socially distanced food vendors, artists, crafters, entertainers, healthcare advocates, home décor specialists, and more while families attend with their children, grandparents and pets. The CDP is a not-for-profit association of small business owners in and around the Downtown Clermont area. The Clermont Downtown Partnership creates a positive community spirit with extra special events and business opportunities designed to help us all celebrate what Clermont has to offer. Their special free CDP community events bring local Orlando area residents and tourists to enjoy Downtown Clermont each year. The CDP is now actively working with the City of Clermont and Prismatic of Orlando as a community marketing company to begin a professional re-branding project for Downtown Clermont. To get involved and for more membership information, visit: www.ClermontDowntwonPartnership.com.
The Clermont Historic Village is located at 490 West Avenue at the corner of Osceola Street in Downtown Clermont with Lake Minneola as a backdrop. The Clermont Historic Village has continued to be developed and maintained by the City of Clermont and the South Lake Historical members. Admission and parking at the Clermont Historic Village is free, yet a small donation per adult is requested to help maintain the properties. For more information and to join, visit www.ClermontVillage.org.
Watch the City’s website to learn more as well as to get involved in their long-range planning and vision: https://www.clermontfl.gov/MasterPlan/.
