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Sanford, Florida's revitalization creates a boost in traffic.

July 12, 2011

A farmer's market is held every Saturday in Magnolia Square.

This weekend's Orlando Sentinel carried an article about the struggles and successes of downtown Sanford. The city invested heavily in its downtown along First Street several years ago. Streets were repaved in brick, sidewalks were widened, and decorative lighting fixtures were installed. All helped contribute to the boost in Sanford's traffic.

But soon after the recession hit and people stopped spending money. Shops closed. Although the economy has not fully recovered yet, downtown Sanford's recovery has begun. New stores, restaurants, and coffee shops are opening or are about to.

City leaders attribute some of the success to the many events held in downtown. Alive After 5 and Sanford Art Walk are two monthly events that have brought foot traffic back to Sanford. But part of the challenge now will be to get these visitors to spend money again. One goal is to make Sanford a more hip, eclectic version of Winter Park.

Something that Sanford has over Winter Park is it's close proximity to the huge Lake Monroe. The waterfront is within a short walking distance from First Street. One idea would be to continue the streetscape improvements down the side streets to help connect First Street to the waterfront, fully tapping into Sanford's natural advantage.