Lake Nona Updates

We’ll be sharing updates about the progress of our Lake Nona Branch on this page. Please check back for the most up-to-date information.

December 3, 2024

City and library officials, local leaders and community members gathered at McCoy Community Park in Orlando for the groundbreaking of Lake Nona Branch. The branch will be located at the City of Orlando’s future Southeast Community and Government Center. The new multi-use facility, designed by Florida architecture firm Borrelli + Partners, Inc., will provide a wide array of services and resources for citizens including a regional police substation, meeting rooms and the 20,000 square-foot library and outdoor performance area. The project is scheduled for completion in early 2026 by H.J. High Construction Company.

Orange County Library System Board Trustee and Lake Nona resident Ashley Cisneros Mejia spoke at today’s event. "Today we’re not just breaking ground on a new building, we’re creating a space for stories to unfold, for minds to grow and a community to thrive," said Ms. Cisneros Mejia. "This is going to be the place children fall in love with reading, job seekers find tools they need to succeed and neighbors will come together to connect and share ideas."

Speakers at the groundbreaking included Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando City Commissioner Jim Gray, Orange County Library System Board Trustee Ashley Cisneros Mejia, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO Kevin Thibault and Orlando Police Department Chief Eric Smith.

Orange County Library System Board Trustee and Lake Nona resident Ashley Ciscernos Mejia speaks at the groundbreaking for the Orange County Library System and City of Orlando’s Southeast Community and Government Center Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.
Orange County Library System Board Trustee and Lake Nona resident Ashley Cisneros Mejia speaks at the groundbreaking for the Orange County Library System and City of Orlando’s Southeast Community and Government Center Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.
District 1 City Commissioner Jim Gray speaks at the groundbreaking for the Orange County Library System Lake Nona Branch and City of Orlando’s Southeast Community and Government Center Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.
District 1 City Commissioner Jim Gray speaks at the groundbreaking for the Orange County Library System Lake Nona Branch and City of Orlando’s Southeast Community and Government Center Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.
Orange County Library System staff at the groundbreaking for the Orange County Library System and City of Orlando’s Southeast Community and Government Center Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. Pictured from left to right: Chief Financial Officer Kris Shoemaker, Chief Human Resources Officer Yvonne Hartley, Chief of Neighborhood Services Danielle King, Chief Operating Officer Bethany Stone, Chief Executive Officer and Director Steve Powell, Chief of Neighborhood Services Leasha Tavernier, Chief of Lifelong Learning Sara Gonzalez, , Chief of Neighborhood Services Erica Grant, Chief Project Officer Lynette Schimpf and Washington Park Branch Manager Jorge Santiesteban.
Pictured from left to right: Chief Financial Officer Kris Shoemaker, Chief Human Resources Officer Yvonne Hartley, Chief of Neighborhood Services Danielle King, Chief Operating Officer Bethany Stone, Chief Executive Officer and Director Steve Powell, Chief of Neighborhood Services Leasha Tavernier, Chief of Lifelong Learning Sara Gonzalez, , Chief of Neighborhood Services Erica Grant, Chief Project Officer Lynette Schimpf and Washington Park Branch Manager Jorge Santiesteban.
District 1 City Commissioner Jim Gray, Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Library System Board Trustee Ashley Cisernos Mejia, Orange County Library System CEO Steve Powell and Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO Kevin Thibault shovel dirt at the the groundbreaking for the Orange County Library System and City of Orlando’s Southeast Community and Government Center Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.
District 1 City Commissioner Jim Gray, Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Library System Board Trustee Ashley Cisneros Mejia, Orange County Library System CEO Steve Powell and Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO Kevin Thibault shovel dirt at the the groundbreaking for the Orange County Library System and City of Orlando’s Southeast Community and Government Center Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.

November 15, 2024

The groundbreaking for Lake Nona Branch (and the city of Orlando's Southeast Government and Community Center) has been rescheduled for December 3, at 10:30 a.m., at McCoy Community Park, 7945 Dowden Road, Orlando, FL 32827.

Architect's rendering of Lake Nona Branch
Architect's rendering of Southeast Government and Community Center.

June 9, 2022

Orange County Library System Board of Trustees approved the lease for a new library branch in Lake Nona. The city of Orlando will design and construct the Lake Nona Branch as part of the new Southeast Government Center to be built on Dowden Road. The facility, which will also feature shared outdoor space and a stage, will be leased to the library upon its completion, with an option to purchase the building at a later date.

The following renderings from Borrelli + Partners are subject to change.

Architect's (Borrelli + Partners) rendering of the front of the Lake Nona Branch.
Architectural renderings by Borrelli + Partners
Architect's rendering of the front of the Lake Nona Branch.
Architectural renderings by Borrelli + Partners
Architect's rendering of the front of the Lake Nona Branch.
Architectural renderings by Borrelli + Partners
Architect's rendering of the front of the Lake Nona Branch.
Architectural renderings by Borrelli + Partners
Architect's rendering of the front of the Lake Nona Branch.
Architectural renderings by Borrelli + Partners
Architect's rendering of the front of the Lake Nona Branch.
Architectural renderings by Borrelli + Partners
Architect's rendering of the front of the Lake Nona Branch.
Architectural renderings by Borrelli + Partners
Borrelli + Partners Logo
Project Architects