The South Lake Chamber of Commerce held its July Breakfast at the picturesque Sterling Event Venue, a Tuscan-inspired wedding destination located at 20524 CR 455, Clermont. The breakfast, hosted by the City of Minneola, brought together Mayor Pat Kelley, city staff, and stakeholders to present ongoing and upcoming projects in the thriving community.
One of the major announcements was the purchase of a new Tower Truck for the city’s fire department, signaling a need for additional personnel. Mayor Kelley introduced Minneola’s new Fire Chief, Daniel DiBasie, who proudly discussed the department’s expansion. The newly constructed fire station, located next to City Hall at 800 N US Hwy 27, will soon be operational, enhancing the city’s emergency response capabilities.
Mayor Kelley also revealed the creation of a new city logo, developed with the help of Julianna Green, owner of Everything Local. The new logo aims to represent Minneola’s rapidly growing community. Residents and visitors can view logoed products at Everything Local, located at 789 W Montrose St., Clermont.
The breakfast covered several significant developments, including:
- Minneola Library: Plans for a new library at the former site of the old city hall and public works buildings. The project is being designed by Powell Studio Architecture, a local firm owned by life-long resident Jeff Powell.
- Minneola Trailhead and Community Garden: Discussions on these projects highlighted the city’s commitment to enhancing recreational spaces.
- Future Projects: Announcements of a new playground, splash pad, soccer and baseball fields, with more projects in the pipeline.
- Roadway Improvements: Updates on the Hancock Extension, Citrus Grove, Scrub Jay, and Education Way.
- New Lake County K-8 School: Projected to open in August 2025, this school will cater to the educational needs of the growing community.
- Advent Health Facility: A new 80-bed full-service facility with 24 ER bays, set to open near the Turnpike by December 2025. This project is expected to bring 500 clinical and nonclinical positions to the community.
- Crooked Can Brewery: A new 40,000-square-foot destination brewery and headquarters, featuring live entertainment, an outdoor beer garden, and a food hall. The $17 million facility is set to open by the end of 2025.
- Minneola Farmers Market and Food Trucks: This popular event is held on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 5-9 pm at Minneola City Hall.
Evolving concepts for the Minneola Town Center and Minneola Ridge, along with other new communities, were also discussed, showcasing the city’s vision for continued growth and development.
The event highlighted Minneola’s commitment to creating a vibrant, welcoming community with a range of amenities and services to support its residents’ needs. As these projects come to fruition, Minneola is poised to become an even more attractive place to live, work, and play.
