Maitland City Centre begins construction

As of this week, Maitland City Centre is six floors of straight concrete.

The development that is slated to become Maitland’s new downtown is finally rising from the ground after shovels first started moving dirt in June. But not all city residents are happy with what they see so far.

Councilwoman Bev Reponen told the City Council on Monday that she’s heard complaints from residents over the size and scale of the structure that’s gone up in the past couple weeks.

“I’ve gotten [complaints from] several people who are quite concerned,” she said.

City Manager Sharon Anselmo said the city has received one voicemail and a few comments on social media regarding the project’s construction.

“I think when the four-story stuff starts surrounding it, it will take it into perspective a little more,” Anselmo said.

The height of the project is slated to be tiered, with the tallest part of the building being six-stories high. Brian Grandstaff, principal at Millenia Partners, said what’s under construction now is the six-story parking garage. This is the only time passersby will be able to see the garage, he said, because once the project is complete it will be surrounded by apartments.

“We designed the building to be not so intimidating on the street… but to step down,” he said.

When complete, likely in summer 2018, Maitland City Centre will house 35,000 square feet of retail along with 220 apartments.

As of its June groundbreaking, the project’s developers – Allen Morris Company, Lamm & Company Partners and Millenia Partners – have announced half a dozen businesses that are slated to fill its storefronts. Those include: Starbucks, Subway, Renaissance Med Spa, Nava Pets, a food hall/market by Chef Clayton Miller called Mesa 21, and Doc B’s Fresh Kitchen.