Winter Park City Commission meeting set for Oct. 23, 2017

Winter Park City Commissioners will take a vote on first reading regarding a three-story townhouse project – one that will sit on the existing property of the First Church of Christ, Scientist.

The church at 650 N. New York Ave. in Winter Park is set to be demolished and rebuilt on the same piece of land to make way for the new project, which would sit just across the street from the Winter Park Country Club golf course.

The redevelopment project, spearheaded by Condev Land LLC, includes eight, three-story, two-unit duplexes on 1.43 acres at the north end of the property, leaving room for a new church building set for the remaining 0.95 acres.

The project stemmed from the church’s decision two years ago to consolidate into a new facility. The church’s main building, nursery, offices and Sunday school are all spread out in separate buildings, but a new building would bring everything together.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to better meet our church’s needs and also provide this development opportunity within Winter Park’s central business district,” said Steven Wennerstrom, chairman of the church’s executive board, in a statement. “Our church has a long history in the community, and we plan to be here for a long time to come.” 

The church was built in the 1950s, but isn’t listed on the Winter Park Register of Historic Places.