The Pine/Dabney/Lumber Yard areas are currently under study by consultants hired by the City of Leesburg. The purpose of this study is to determine appropriate reuses for these neglected areas. Pine Street is an older commercial in need of revitalization. It is located near Leesburg Regional Medical Center. Dabney Elementary is an elementary school on Dixie Avenue scheduled for closing by the Lake County School Board. The Lumber Yard is an older commercial site located on East Main Street. Working together, local citizens, City officials, and consultants with expertise in redevelopment are creating a vision for the future of these areas. Ideas presented thus far include reuse of the existing facilities for community oriented and service organizations, creating mixed retail/warehouse developments, and residential development of the property.

The City of Leesburg has hired the firm of Glatting-Jackson of Orlando, Florida to assist in the rewrite and unification of the City's existing land development codes. The work includes updating the City's existing zoning, subdivision, sign, landscape and other codes into a new, unified code for managing the growth of the City of Leesburg. To ensure public leadership, support and participation in this effort, a Land Development Code Steering Committee was formed. The Steering Committee consists of 19 citizens and alternates representing a wide range of interests in the community. Meetings are held monthly, and are open to the public. Upon review and adoption by the City Commission, this revised code will create a more efficient land development process by reorganizing and coordinating all development related codes in the City of Leesburg, impacting the physical development of the community for decades to come. The final draft is expected to be presented to the City's Planning and Zoning Commission and City Commission in May, 2004.

In 2003, longtime Leesburg residents and community leaders L.J. and Agnes Berry were honored with the opening of a city park in the Carver Heights neighborhood. The park has beautiful amenities including a walking trail, wooden bridge, fountain and benches. It serves the area as a beautiful and peaceful neighborhood park.

The Community Development Corporation of the City of Leesburg was established in 1997 for the purpose of revitalizing the Pine Street neighborhood near Leesburg Regional Medical Center. Since that time, the CDC has purchased land with over 50 homes that were demolished and replaced with over 30 new homes targeted toward low income families. The CDC also works to preserve the community's heritage and add commercial development.

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is a seven member board, charged with management and implementation of the City's adopted community redevelopment area plans. Five of the seven members are City of Leesburg Commissioners. The remaining two members are citizens appointed by the City Commission to four year terms. Members must reside within the municipal limits of the City. The City currently has two CRA's, the Greater Leesburg CRA and the Carver Heights/Montclair CRA. Florida Statute, city ordinances and resolutions have provided the basis for establishment and future update of the plans.

In 1994, the Downtown Business Association, City of Leesburg and the Chamber of Commerce came together to form the Leesburg Partnership. This was a united effort to preserve the town's heritage. Since that time, the Partnership has encouraged and assisted in the City's revitalization projects by hosting numerous public events and festivals which include Mardi Gras, the Main Street Christmas Stroll, the Fourth of July Events, the Leesburg Art Festival and the Bikefest, to name a few. For further information, contact Executive Vice President Joe Shipes, at 352-365-0053 or visit the Leesburg Partnership online.