One Lake County city is hoping to upgrade its downtown area with a $24 million master plan.​

  • Clermont is upgrading its downtown area
  • Victory Pointe will include a recreational park for community events
  • Other projects include trails, public wifi

Clermont city officials celebrated the construction of Victory Pointe on Wednesday.

The 10-acre, $9 million project includes a stormwater facility, Triathlon Beach and a park with boardwalks and a 2-story look-out tower. 

According to the plan, $1.9 million will be used to relocate the Clermont Boat Ramp to Lake Hiawatha Park.

"I have always called it the game changer of downtown Clermont," said city manager Darren Grey.  

Grey says with the stormwater facility, businesses won't have to pay or use their property for stormwater management and he says that will attract new development.  

"They are showing up already. Eight new businesses getting ready to come in and we just started," he said.  

Along with Victory Pointe, $1.9 million will be used to build the Clermont Legacy Loop, a trail that will link the South Lake Trail to the downtown area. 

Both trails will also have public wifi. Officials say that will cost $750,000.

The master plan also includes $10 million for six blocks downtown that includes adding brick, trees, event space and reconstructing streets. Grey said $550,000 will go towards city signs welcoming people and directing them to the downtown area.  

Officials say Victory Pointe, expected to open next year, will be paid for mostly by grants and stormwater fees. 

The rest of the projects, slated to be open by 2020, will be paid for through the one-cent infrastructure sales tax. ​

Victory Pointe is expected to open next year.