Altamonte Springs, Florida, United States

🇺🇸 Altamonte Springs is a suburban city in Seminole County, Florida, United State. The city is in the northern suburbs of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Dr. Washington Kilmer of Cincinnati was the first person of European background to settle into the area circa 1870, and he named the area Altamont (minus the "e" from the present spelling) after Altamont, New York, an area near his childhood home. In 1882, the Altamonte Land, Hotel and Navigation Company, founded by Thomas C. Simpson and four other Massachusetts businessmen, gave the area its present name: Altamonte Springs. The company developed the core community along Altamonte Avenue (today's SR 436) between Maitland and Longwood Avenues (today's Ronald Reagan Boulevard). On November 11, 1920, the residents of Altamonte Springs voted 38 to 7 in favor of incorporation.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.4 mi² (24.5 km²), of which 8.9 mi² (23.1 km²) is land and 0.6 mi² (1.5 km²) (5.93%) is water.

Government Altamonte Springs has a city manager, city commissioner form of government, consisting of four commission districts and the mayor serving citywide.

Education

College • Seminole State College of Florida • Everglades University

Library Serving the needs of residents since 1960, the Altamonte Springs City Library houses a permanent collection of 44,000 items.

Cranes Roost Park and Uptown Altamonte Cranes Roost Park, Cranes Roost Lake, and the general area on State Road 436 east of Interstate 4 is known as the central area of the city. This is the area that borders Interstate 4 which is the main interstate highway for Central Florida connecting Daytona Beach, Orlando, and Tampa. An outdoor town centre was recently opened named 'Uptown Altamonte' which marks the central business district of the city. Cranes Roost at Uptown Altamonte features a water fountain choreographed to classical, swing and contemporary music.

This city centre incorporates large-scale apartment buildings and planned high rise condominiums. The construction also includes mixed use shops and retailers. The park area includes a square for weddings, festivals, and city holidays. The spot has become popular with Altamonte Springs residents, and attracts residents from nearby Longwood, Casselberry, and Maitland. Future plans include two high rise residential structures (in excess of 10 stories) and a series of parking structures to facilitate visitors.

The area includes the Altamonte Mall, a 4-anchor indoor shopping mall, which includes an 18-screen AMC Theatre. Many restaurants are located near the mall such as several Darden Restaurants, Denny's, Five Guys, Little Greek Fresh Grill and Jason's Deli.

Special events Since 1995 Altamonte Springs has been host city to the Red, Hot, & Boom annual firework festival each July 3 in celebration of Independence Day. The event, which includes musical performances by nationally and internationally known entertainers and a custom fireworks show with over 15,000 shells, has drawn 200,000 people in recent years, and is Central Florida's largest Independence Day Celebration.

Parks and events • A Petrified Forest (Halloween Event) • Bird Watchers Wanted • Cranes Roost • Earth Day Event • Hermits Trail & Turnbull Ave • Jr. Rangers Program • Lake Lotus Nature Park • Lake Orienta Public Boat Ramp • Red, Hot, and Boom (Fourth of July Event) • Sunshine Park

Recreation areas • Eastmonte • Lake Brantley Sports Complex • Merrill Park • Westmonte • Winwood Park

Transport: Air Altamonte Springs is served primarily by Orlando International Airport, which is located 30 minutes south. Orlando Sanford International Airport, located 25 minutes north, also serves the area. Orlando Executive Airport, located 20 minutes south, is used for charter flights and general aviation.

Bus service Altamonte Springs is served by Lynx, offering local transit service which covers the three-county area (Osceola-Orange-Seminole).

Transport: Rail Altamonte Springs is served by SunRail, the Central Florida Commuter Rail system. The station opened on May 1, 2014.