OVIEDO, Fla. — The City of Oviedo’s Planning Board will meet Tuesday to consider whether to allow changes to future development at the Oviedo Mall.
Manager Kevin Hipes has plans to use space left vacant by big stores to expand the property to include additional amenities like hotels and apartment homes.
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“COVID really slowed us down, but it gave us some time for planning, and now I think we are back on track,” Hipes said.
The plans call for redevelopment of the mall property to include mixed-use spaces as well as a hotel and a 55 and older apartment complex on the property where Macy’s once sat.
Oviedo resident Rene Aquina says he walks through the mall every day with his wife and is looking forward to the improvements.
“It’s good to see and hear that there is something going on at this mall,” Aquino said. “We are hoping this will be a boom when you have mixed residential over here.”
The owners of the mall have already invested $4 million to replace a leaky roof and replace the air conditioning, which Hipes says has been a deterrent for long-term tenants.
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For now, Hipes says short-term leases are being offered to tenants that are farther away from the big chain stores that once occupied mall space.
“We are bringing in what we are calling ‘Medical Main Street. The east wing is going to be medical tenants.”
An organization that helps children with autism has already moved into an office there. Hipes says he’s had significant response from other doctors and dentists inquiring about space.
“Right now, you go to your doctor’s office, they tell you to download an app and wait in your car,” Hipes said. “Here, you can get yourself a coffee at Starbucks in Barnes and Noble, go to the food court, get a craft beer...”
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Other ideas for filling the empty storefronts have included a children’s acting studio and even a wedding chapel.
Hipes said the repairs to the roof are expected to be complete in six months.
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