Downtown Maitland loses developer

In the quest for a redeveloped downtown, Maitland is one developer down after longtime negotiations to build a mixed-use development near City Hall fell through last month.

Developer Sean Law told the city he no longer planned to go through with developing the area just north of the old City Hall in April, said Maitland’s Community Development Director Verl Emrick.

But Mayor Howard Schieferdecker said he’s cautiously optimistic about upcoming plans, including a parking garage with ground-floor retail in the works on the old city hall land, and new interest in the old Winn-Dixie property. To try and better its odds, Emrick said the city’s asking the developer to secure tenant interest in the retail segment before proceeding.

“This is a different approach in saying, give us the names of your people and have them already lined up … get them signed before you come to us,” Emrick said.