Master Plan
UPDATED July 1, 2020
Click here for an interactive map showing the locations of the major projects in the Master Plan.
Road Closure Updates:
- The water service upgrade on the corner of 8th and Montrose Streets is completed and concrete is scheduled to be poured the morning of Wed., July 1. Thanks for your patience while we improve your downtown.
INDEX:
STREETSCAPES (New update!)
THE ART WALK (New update!)
WATERFRONT ACTIVATION ZONE (New update!)
ABOUT
The City of Clermont’s award-winning Downtown-Waterfront Master Plan is our road map as we design the future of our city for the next five, 10 and 20 years. Like any plan, it is meant to be a guide and is intended to adapt to changing circumstances.
There are 32 projects in the overall Master Plan, including green streets, streetscape, trails, parks and infrastructure improvements. The $22-million Master Plan projects are being funded by Lake County's Infrastructure Sales Tax, also known as the Penny Sales Tax; no property tax dollars are being used to fund the Master Plan.
While much of the focus is on the Downtown-Waterfront District, the Master Plan offers insight on how to keep our growing city connected and how to protect the very charms that have drawn hundreds of thousands of people to this internationally recognized city that is one of the nation's top places to live and also a training ground for the world's elite athletes.
We are delivering on our promises.
HISTORY
It all started in 2012, when Darren Gray became Clermont’s city manager. Many people asked about his plans for Clermont’s future. So he turned that question to our citizens and listened to what they wanted. In 2013, he held a series of community visioning sessions. Over 1,000 residents attended. Time and time again, they told him that they wanted a vibrant downtown.
In 2014, the city embraced a bold, new brand identifying Clermont as the the Choice of Champions®. Then, in March 2015, our City Council adopted the Master Plan with three priorities – to enhance, connect and grow our community. For many months after that, the team from GAI Consultants studied the research that came out of the visioning sessions and worked with city planners and other staff to create a strategic master plan that would enhance Clermont's many assets and charms -- especially in the Downtown-Waterfront District. In 2016, the Master Plan won the Florida Redevelopment Association state award and the Lake-Sumter MPO regional award. We are dedicated to bringing this vision to life and have already made great progress.
The improvements are conceptual in nature; as each is considered, a further level of design needs to be undertaken to define the project and confirm its purpose in implementing the vision.
VICTORY POINTE
Status: Completed July 2018
Location: 938 Victory Way, just west of Clermont's Historic Village
Highlights: In July 2018, we completed our first major project of the Master Plan — Victory Pointe. Not only is it a stormwater filtration system to keep Lake Minneola clean, but it’s also an urban passive park and event venue. Already it has encouraged development and redevelopment downtown by allowing businesses to maximize their sites. It’s also encouraging foot traffic from the Waterfront to our Downtown shops and restaurants.
BOAT RAMP
Status: Completed January 2020
Location: 140 East Ave., just east of Waterfront Park on the southern bank of Lake Minneola (former Bell Ceramics site)
Highlights: The City of Clermont has constructed a larger boat ramp in a new location based on valuable feedback from key community groups. A ribbon cutting was held Jan. 10, 2020; view the event video here. A project bid from Traverse Group for $2.49 million was unanimously approved by our City Council at the May 28, 2019 public meeting. A big win, Lake County Commission approved the city's request for partial funding for $750,000 at their board meeting on May 21, 2019, utilizing the county's tourism development tax. A lot of behind-the-scenes work was done on the boat ramp, including surveys for boundary, topographic, tree, wetland locations, borings and geotechnical aspects; underground utility locations; and an environmental survey.
The former boat ramp between was between Victory Pointe and the Clermont Boat House. The new location shifts motorized watercrafts away from the many non-motorized watercrafts that launch from the Clermont Boat House and Victory Pointe. The new ramp doubled the launch pads from two to four, increased parking from 77 to 102 spots, added 10 mooring slips for peak traffic and has new restrooms. As part of the plan, the South Lake Trail was rerouted around the boat ramp for safety.
There is a cost to use the boat ramp. Visitors pay $5 per day and can pay via credit or debit card at the kiosks located on either side of the boat ramp. City of Clermont residents can purchase an annual pass for $35 from the Utility Billing office; it's located on the first floor of City Hall, 685 W. Montrose St., and is open during normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Video showing aerial views of the completed boat ramp in January 2020
Ribbon cutting Jan. 10, 2020. From left, Council Member Heidi Brishke, City Manager Darren Gray, Mayor Gail Ash, and Council Members Timothy Bates, Diane Travis and Jim Purvis.
An aerial view of the completed boat ramp in January 2020
Boat ramp on opening day Jan. 10, 2020
Boat ramp on opening day Jan. 10, 2020
Aerial photo of boat ramp construction, early October 2019
Aerial photo of boat ramp construction, early October 2019
KEHLOR RECREATION CENTER
Status: Completed November 2019
Location: 466 W. Minneola Ave., in Kehlor Park on the east end of downtown, just south of the original building
Highlights: We love our seniors! That's why we built them a bigger, better senior center. Construction started in December 2018, after City Council approved the $484,000 project. A ribbon cutting was held 10 a.m. Nov. 15. Read the city's news release on the ribbon cutting here.
The existing building served us well for over 60 years and was repaired many times; it stayed open until the new building was completed. The new building was designed by Powell Studio Architecture to be consistent with the look of other city structures downtown and around the city. Amenities include a multipurpose room, restrooms and storage. Popular Champions For A Lifetime senior programs held at the Clermont Arts and Recreation Center have been expanded to the new Kehlor Recreation Center.
The City of Clermont celebrated the grand opening of the new Kehlor Recreation Center with a ribbon cutting on Nov. 15, 2019. Pictured from left: Council Member Heidi Brishke, Former Council Member Keith Mullins, City Manager Darren Gray, Kehlor Recreation Club Member Marvin "Jake" Jacobson, Mayor Gail Ash, and Council Members Jim Purvis, Tim Bates and Diane Travis.
The completed Kehlor Center in November 2019
WI-FI TRAIL
Status: In progress
Location: Planned along the 2.5 miles of waterfront of our South Lake Trail, as well as the six square blocks of our downtown core.
Highlights: The Clermont Wi-Fi Trail will offer free public Wi-Fi. Installation has begun, and Wi-Fi is live in limited locations (Champions Splash Park, Waterfront Park, Clermont Boat House, Clermont Boat Ramp, Highlander Pavilion and the northern portion of Victory Pointe). The addition will enhance safety and navigation for our trail users. Plus, it will be able to support events with data and live broadcasting in these key areas.
A contractor was selected in November 2018 to complete the project in parts beginning with the Waterfront and then expanding into the Downtown business area. In March 2019, we went live in limited locations along our Waterfront. Next up, electrical work will be done along the trail and the gaps where we don't have existing fiber will be completed. While we initially expected the project to be completed in 2019, multiple bids were needed to get an electrical contractor due to the busy construction market; this slight delay has pushed the completion date forward.
GATEWAY ENTRY FEATURES
Status: Completed September 2019
Locations: At Clermont's city limits along State Road 50, intersecting with Lake Boulevard to the east and 12th Street to the west
Highlights: Attractive gateway entry features were completed in September 2019 to welcome everyone into the City of Clermont. Construction began in April 2019. The large towers, similar in design to the 8th Street entryway to Downtown Clermont, are located on our eastern and western boundaries on State Road 50, one of the most highly trafficked roads in the area. These structures delineate and demarcate Clermont from Groveland to our west and Orange County to our east while reinforcing our theme and brand. The feature at the intersection with Lake Boulevard is on the north side of the road, while the one on 12th Street is on the south side of the road. Standing over 25 feet tall, these themed towers light up at night and are surrounded by beautiful landscaping and an architectural wall. We're letting everyone know that "Clermont Welcomes You."
The completed tower at the east entry to Clermont.
STREETSCAPES
Status: In progress
Road Closure Updates:
The water service upgrade on the corner of 8th and Montrose Streets is completed and concrete is scheduled to be poured the morning of Wed., July 1. Thanks for your patience while we improve your downtown.
Locations: Montrose, Minneola and Osceola streets between West and Lake avenues
Highlights: The next part of the Master Plan strikes at the heart of our Downtown. The proposed improvements include streetscape, landscaping, bathrooms, lighting, upgrades for event lighting and music, banners and beautification. We plan to construct this $12-million project in three phases to allow for continued business operations and traffic flow in Downtown.
- PHASE 1 -- CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS
Phase 1 focuses on improvements to West Avenue and Osceola Street, including additional parking spaces. West Avenue is in the process of being refinished with asphalt from Montrose to Osceola streets. Osceola Street has been brick paved between 7th Street and West Avenue. Landscaping will enhance the streets. Parts of Legacy Loop Trail also will be continued during this phase.
You may have noticed temporary fencing go up near the lake and trail in the grassy area between 7th and 8th streets, as well as on the waterfront property just east of the Historic Village; these are being used as staging areas for project materials.
Construction on West Avenue facing north toward Lake Minneola, June 2020.
Here's a breakdown of Phase 1's construction phasing: (The timeline may vary from the plan.)
- PHASE 2 -- DESIGN COMPLETE
Design plans are 100% complete for Phase 2, which includes Minneola Avenue (7th to 8th streets) & 8th Street (Montrose Street to Osceola Street) and Legacy Loop. We plan to start constructing this portion in late 2020, after Phase 1 is completed.
We are working on plans to celebrate "Meet Us in the Middle," our location as the halfway point along the state's Coast-to-Coast Trail, about 100 miles from each coast. After a valuable community feedback meeting, we have gathered residents' ideas and input and are applying them to the design. We envision creating an attractive and lively destination for sports tourist, visitors and event attendees that would highlight the center of the trail.
In addition, Legacy Loop Trail and smaller trail projects will encourage South Lake Trail users to come into Downtown. The Legacy Loop Trail is a permanent bypass of the Waterfront from 7th Street to just west of Victory Pointe. This directs traffic into Downtown and provides a bypass of the Victory Pointe event area during large events. Part of the trail goes right in front of Suncreek Brewery and adjoining restaurants.
- PHASE 3 – ON DECK
Phase 3 will cover Montrose Street (West Avenue to Lake Avenue) & City Hall Plaza. We plan to construct it in 2021, once Phase 2 is completed. We will finalize designs for Phase 3 after Phase 1 is completed. Phase 3 will create a focal point at City Hall Park to anchor downtown visitors, making it a destination and a gathering point in the heart of Downtown Clermont.
Status: Under construction
Location: From Minneola Avenue to Montrose Street, eventually extending to Osceola Street; in the former parking lot between South Lake Animal League and Engel & Volkers
Highlights: The Art Walk broke ground in 2020 with an estimated completion by the end of 2020. This festive new walkway will celebrate our local artists with plans for a covered pavilion and an open-air space for vendors to set up their tents. There will be an opportunity for donors to get involved and be recognized with their names along the path; email kdeen@clermontfl.org if you're interested. The Art Walk will encourage the connectivity and flow of visitors between our Waterfront and our Downtown shops, restaurants and breweries. The Art Walk project is a public-private partnership between the City of Clermont and the Art Walk LLC.
Final construction plans were bid and approved by City Council.
Aerial view of design plans for the Art Walk and the private commercial building to its east.
Rendering of the Art Walk looking from Minneola Street toward Montrose Street. The cutout shows the covered walkway portion of the brick pathway.
Rendering of the Art Walk looking from Montrose Street toward Minneola Street. The cutout shows the open-air and covered walkway portions of th brick pathway.
The City of Clermont put out a Request for Proposals from the private sector to develop a 0.90-acre section of city-owned lakefront property. The city refers to this in its Master Plan as its Waterfront Activation Zone, located just east of Victory Pointe and the Clermont Historic Village.
You'll find Bid #2009 - Private Development of Lakefront Property on our website here. Bidding started Nov. 15, 2019 and ended Jan. 30, 2020. The bids were presented at a City Council Workshop in June 2020; council directed staff to set up a special council meeting to discuss the plans in further detail and seek public comment.
Questions? Please call 352-241-7339 or email kdeen@clermontfl.org.