Winter Park Kmart plaza to get a facelift

A neglected shopping plaza on the west end of Winter Park is set get a much-needed sprucing up – and the addition of some new tenants.

The Winter Park Planning and Zoning Board gave developers the final green light on Tuesday to redevelop and remodel the old Kmart shopping plaza at U.S. Highway 17-92 and Lee Road. The space of the former box store has remained vacant since it closed in early 2014, but will now be split into four spaces replaced with a DSW, Ross, Marshalls and a HomeGoods. Residents can expect to see three new restaurants in the plaza as well: TooJays, Blaze Pizza and Zoe’s Kitchen.

Improvements will also be made to the façade of the buildings, and parking lots will receive new landscaping to give it more of a Winter Park charm.

The project was approved by the City Commission on Dec. 14, on the condition that they upgrade the existing storm water system and that the final design for an Orlando Avenue sign be approved by the Planning and Zoning Board on Tuesday.

A fresh look for the plaza was met with open arms by the city.

“To the P&Z Board this is a welcome and much needed renovation and rebranding of a 1960s shopping center,” read the Dec. 14 agenda item. “The board desired further improvements for more of a ‘Winter Park’ character with enhanced pedestrian circulation, enhanced landscaping and storm water retention which will result in some loss of parking to accomplish those goals.”

Planning and Community Development Manager Jeff Briggs said the developers have already applied for their building permits and hope to start the project as soon as possible.