GROVELAND, Fla. — A major development approved for construction in Groveland is sparking concerns about the future of a historic train depot.

What You Need To Know

  • Groveland residents are concerned about a historic train depot, built in the early 1900s

  • A development plan includes apartments and retail, but requires the city to refurbish the depot

  • A local nonprofit is advocating for broader preservation efforts, beyond the minimal agreed upon

The train depot was constructed in the early 1900s and used to transport commercial merchandise.

Today, the building is empty and the surrounding land will be used for a major development with the Avalon Park Group that will bring apartments, work units and retail spaces to the downtown area.

In the plan, the developers agreed to preserve the train depot, as well as 10 feet around the building, with a caveat that the city must refurbish the building and present a certificate of occupancy.

If they don’t, the developer can do what they want with the property.

Ahead of a council meeting Monday night, the city of Groveland released a statement saying in part, “The City of Groveland remains committed to preserving the train depot.”

Members of the Groveland Historical Society and Museum nonprofit want to see the city to renegotiate and preserve more than just the depot building.

“We would like to see more than just 10 feet around the building,” nonprofit member Robin Hoover said. “We would like to see an entire restoration on the entire property.”

The organization works to keep pieces of the city’s original history alive.

“Pieces of history with buildings are disappearing, so we would like to see as much preservation and opportunities for preservation that we can,” Hoover said. “I personally think this is a treasure that should be saved.”

Construction for the Avalon project is expected to begin fall of 2026.