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A City Transformed by Aviation

Once a place to ‘drive through, not to,’ Tavares, Florida, is now a popular destination for seaplane pilots.

An Aviat Husky piloted by Kevin Oaks. [Photo: Dan Nickens]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Tavares, Florida, transformed from a "dying town" into "America's Seaplane City" through a strategic vision to become a seaplane destination, ignited by city administrator John Drury.
  • An initial $8.3 million city investment in a seaplane base and marina catalyzed significant economic revitalization, leading to 24 new businesses, a doubled population, and an estimated $39.3 million annual economic impact.
  • The city established comprehensive public-use seaplane facilities and attracted key aviation businesses for manufacturing, flight training, and tourism, while also hosting popular seaplane events.
  • Tavares is widely recognized as a successful model for other waterfront communities seeking to leverage seaplane facilities for civic support and economic development.
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About 15 years ago, John Drury was sitting at a local bar in Tavares, Florida, contemplating the future of what was then a “dying town,” when he had an epiphany of sorts. As two people walked up and ordered a soda and an iced tea, he recalls, “I looked at their feet…and I saw Crocs, and seaweed dripping on the floor.”

A pilot himself, Drury suspected they had landed their seaplane at Lake Dora, a short walk from the bar. His hunch proved correct. “They said, ‘We just splashed in, in that seaplane. It’s kind of hard to get from the water to the restaurant…but you get a pretty good hamburger and a pretty good meal here.’”   

Sara Withrow

Sara is the former copy chief at FLYING. She fell in love with aviation over a decade of working as editor of Lift, the flagship magazine for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She holds a M.S. in Mass Communication and is passionate about authentic storytelling—and making sure that “every I is dotted and every T is crossed.” Follow Sara on Twitter @sarawithrow.

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