Big changes are coming to Orlando's SODO District.

An upcoming project aims to redevelop and revitalize part of the area.

The development is tentatively called the Apartments at Southside Shoppes, located at the corner of South Orange and West Pineloch avenues in Orlando.

However, the new project, with up to 300 multi-family apartments and 94,000 square feet of retail and office space, means the end of an existing neighborhood, which includes two mobile home communities, a pawnshop and other small retail outlets.

Shirley Daniels, a former homeowner on Butler Drive, says she's lived in the area for half a century.

"I've been here so many years. You know I just..." Daniels said, before contemplating that her former home was the next one to be demolished.

She said she was compensated well for her house, which she owned.

"It's kind of sad, but I have a nice new home," Daniels said.

But many others rent at the two mobile-home communities nearby that will soon be demolished for the project. Those residents will have to move out in the new few months.

Esonia Langel has lived across the street from the mobile home parks for more than 10 years.

"What I experience is I see lots of people move in and move out," Langel said.

The City of Orlando annexed the property from unincorporated Orange County. Now, the project is under the umbrella of Orlando's growth management plan.

Langel has mixed feelings about the mixed-used development.

"I'm glad to see changes, but the only problem is when they start to build that apartment complex is that for the people who were living there and around the neighborhood, will they will be qualified to get one of those units?" Langel said.

Despite that, Langel thinks the retail and office space has the ability to improve livelihoods in the SODO District.

"I would like them to hire those people, especially the youths. Put something there that would keep the youths occupied," Langel said.

We reached out to Blu Rock Development's Joseph Schuemann about the project, but Schuemann said it was too early to discuss specifics because they're still in the planning stages, lining up retailers.

Regardless of what's to come, Daniels will always remember raising her family there.

"We had good memories," Daniels said.

According to a spokesperson with the City of Orlando, final approval of the project's master plan is expected in the next few weeks. After that, the development company will be able to begin pulling permits for construction.