Several major land developments in northern Osceola County are now underway, and officials hope they will enhance the new SunRail station that's coming to town.

  • Major changes coming to Osceola County ahead of SunRail station
  • 2nd phase of commuter rail will bring station to Kissimmee
  • Tupperware selling off land for hotels, apartment complex

Many changes are coming near Osceola Parkway a full year before the second phase of SunRail opens in Kissimmee.

Tom Roehlk, executive vice president of Tupperware Brands, said he thought the land surrounding SunRail wouldn't be developed until the commuter rail was actually up and running.

That's not the case, however, as a handful of projects totaling more than $150 million are in the works.

"We've created something here that didn't exist here before," Roehlk said.

An Orlando Health medical facility will be coming to the corner of Orange Avenue and Osceola Parkway. It will be a three-story, 60,000-square-foot emergency room and medical pavilion. Construction is set to begin this fall and should be completed by 2018.

A 120-unit assisted-living and memory care facility will also be coming to the intersection of John Young Parkway and Centerview Boulevard.

Roehlk said the land for each development is being purchased from Tupperware.

"More options for where to live and finally, I think it starts to bring to fruition the development that the state and the county foresaw around SunRail stations," Roehlk said.

Also later this year, construction will begin on a 128-room Hampton Inn, which will be located across from Tupperware’s headquarters on Orange Blossom Trail.

The Eastwind apartment complex will feature five four-story mid-rises with detached garages and a clubhouse. The complex will be located across the street from the SunRail stop near Tupperware's facility.

Roehlk hopes the projects will have a major impact on the area.

"We are just going to finish off our project, and we have a good shot of getting it done in the next few years," he said.

Tupperware is also turning Orange Avenue into a four-lane divided highway for about half a mile from Osceola Parkway all the way to the county line.