Officials in Kissimmee broke ground Wednesday on a multi-million dollar project that aims to help redevelop the downtown area.

  • Toho Square in downtown Kissimmee getting mixed-use project
  • Ground broke on the project Wednesday

Right now, Toho Square is a 200-space parking lot, but come September, things will change.

During this first phase of development, Toho Square will turn into a city-owned parking garage with nearly 400 spaces, 13 townhomes and 37 apartments.

David Morales is the owner of Hatfields Bar & Grill downtown. He can’t wait for what's in store for the city.

“I saw the vision of what was happening and that’s why I picked this location, because I knew what was coming,” Morales said.

The project is a partnership between the city of Kissimmee and Mosaic Development. 

“You look at what they’ve done with the waterfront, it’s exactly what a developing company looks for," said Mark Mariano, a partner with Mosaic. "They put in all that infrastructure, they attracted SunRail. They made it walkable, they made it attractive and they did it in the downturn.”

“We’ve got an opportunity with this project to get people living downtown, with disposable incomes that are going to support and grow the business opportunities downtown and really make downtown Kissimmee a vibrant downtown area," said Mike Steigerwald, the city manager for Kissimmee.

Darlington Avenue and Pleasant Street, where Morales’ business is located, will temporarily close for renovations. While this may put a strain on his business, he hopes the outcome is rewarding in the end.

“I believe it’s going to be 100 percent worth the effort because it will eventually bring thousands of people downtown,” Morales said.

The second phase of this project will see a hotel, apartments and commercial space. The majority of the project will be completed by the time SunRail begins servicing downtown Kissimmee in February 2018.