The Kissimmee committee, facing selecting hotel proposals from four competing developers, told all bidders to return to the drawings and return in June with new plans.
According to a report from Growthspotter, hospitality workers wearing Union T-shirts were packed into the room and combined behind a proposal from the Kissimmee Place development group.
However, Mayor Jackie Espinosa said there is no adequate parking in the garage to accommodate the project. “Hyatt is beautiful… the lighting, the gazebo, everything they’re planning is amazing,” she said. “It brings that class, but my concern is that it’s too much.”
The city has long tried to build hotels in the downtown area, but the committee members have not strongly supported any of the concepts. The proposals of KPDG and Azure Hotel International Inc. were just too luxurious, but the proposals of Skyview Companies and IHRMC Hotels & Resorts were not ambitious enough. It was then revealed that the majority wanted residential parts at the Toho Square site.
Azure and IHMRC are aiming to propose a Civic Center site, while Skyview and KPDG focus on Toho Square.
Espinosa felt like Goldilocks and tried each project for its size and said he didn’t like the fit. “So, perhaps the solution is pivot and not accept Toho’s suggestions, let’s think about housing,” she said.
Any tips on developing Central Florida? Please contact me at lkinsler@growthspotter.com or (407) 420-6261. Follow GrowthSpotter on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Original issue: May 8, 2025, 3:55pm EDT
