In the shadow of Camping World Stadium in Orlando, a new community is on the rise.

  • Pendana at West Lakes under construction near Camping World Stadium
  • Mixed-income housing complex along Orange Center Boulevard
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“If College Park can do it, if other neighbors can do it, we ask the question, why can’t West Lakes do it?" said neighbor Raymer Kelly.

Pendana at West Lakes, which began going vertical this week, will be a new mixed-income housing complex, complete with pocket parks, a community pool and a central lake.

The cost will be more than $36 million.

Project leaders believe Pendana will be a centerpiece for development on Orange Center Boulevard between Tampa Boulevard and Texas Avenue.

“The reason why all Orlandoans should celebrate the development of what’s happening in 32805, in the communities of West Lakes on Orange Center Boulevard, is because a city is only as strong as it’s weakest neighborhood," said Eddy Moratin, the Executive Director of LIFT Orlando.

“I feel like Pendana is the start and it’s sort of the ground zero," Kelly added.

LIFT Orlando is the non-profit organization behind the transformative project.

It’s a partnership between the business community and neighbors, who have been working for several years to revitalize their historic neighborhoods in West Orlando.

“As downtown continues to grow, there’s a deep concern in the neighborhoods that downtown will encroach on our areas as well and being to swallow up that great historic that we have," Kelly shared.

That’s why community leaders, who got an exclusive look at new project renderings on Wednesday night, are already looking forward to the next step, economic development.

“Bringing a business incubator to the area, bringing more jobs, bringing higher wages," Kelly explained.

About 75 percent of the 200 apartment homes will be affordable housing. The rest will rent at market rate for the area.

 It’s a delicate balance and a holistic approach to community revitalization.

“So the idea of being able to elevate the standard of living, the quality of life for families in these neighborhoods, is not only great for the people that will live here, but it actually makes our city a better place for all of us," Moratin said.

Residents are expected to begin moving into Pendana at West Lakes by Spring 2018.