Seminole Towne Center redevelopment plan wins key approvals, setting stage for demolition and Costco opening

A long-planned reset for a fading retail corridor

Sanford’s effort to remake the largely shuttered Seminole Towne Center property cleared a major procedural hurdle with approvals tied to the redevelopment framework now in place, allowing planning to move from concept to phased execution.

The interior mall portion ceased regular operations in early 2025 as tenants were required to vacate. A limited set of large-format users have continued operating on or near the site, reflecting a redevelopment model that preserves certain parcels while repositioning the broader property for new uses.

Who controls the site, and why it matters

The redevelopment is being advanced by an Atlanta-based real estate firm that acquired roughly 76 acres associated with the former mall complex in 2025. Control of key parcels has been central to making the plan workable, because not all buildings and parking areas at legacy malls are owned by the same entity. Several anchor users at Seminole Towne Center have historically held separate ownership or control of their buildings and associated parking fields, leaving the redevelopment team to assemble a plan around an irregularly shaped footprint.

City discussions over the past year have emphasized that parcel control affects road access, demolition sequencing, stormwater planning, utilities, and the ability to attract large tenants that require standardized building prototypes and parking fields.

Costco proposal drives zoning, parking, and traffic questions

A Costco is planned as a major early component of the redevelopment, with the proposed warehouse targeted for the former Macy’s area. Plans discussed publicly have described a building of roughly 156,000 square feet, a fuel station, and a parking program that has required code-exception requests and prompted questions from local officials about how the new layout fits within an already parking-heavy mall district.

Public hearings have included resident support tied to convenience and retail choice, alongside concerns about the scale of change and the mix of residential uses in the broader plan. The approvals moving forward do not end the process: further votes and permitting steps remain as site-specific designs and exceptions are finalized.

Timeline: demolition first, multi-year buildout after

City officials have said demolition is expected to begin in spring 2026, with early work staged to keep remaining open businesses operating while large portions of the former enclosed mall are removed. The first major openings are expected in 2027, including the Costco.

Redevelopment planning presented in public forums describes a multi-year buildout, with additional retail, lodging, and residential elements expected to arrive in phases as leases are signed and infrastructure is built.

What the approved concept envisions

• Replacement of the enclosed mall model with a mixed-use district layout
• New large-format retail anchored by Costco at the former Macy’s site
• Potential multifamily housing components, including a nearby apartment proposal discussed at roughly 300 units
• Additional commercial uses expected to be announced as agreements are completed

For Sanford and Seminole County, the approvals mark a shift from planning to implementation, while leaving major details—tenant lineup beyond Costco, final site engineering, and traffic/parking tradeoffs—to be resolved through the next round of hearings and permits.