Amid downtown's antiques shops and diners are new, trendy bars and arts shops. A seven-story luxury condominium project is under construction along the new RiverWalk.

Property values are skyrocketing, and a million-dollar face-lift of First Street, downtown's main street, is adding yet another touch to downtown's extreme makeover.

From young professionals and their families to artists and fourth-generation Sanford residents, the city's core has become a diverse blend of new and old that could change the makeup of the City Commission.

In March, more minority candidates will appear on the ballot than any time in the city's 125-year history. Three blacks have qualified to run for City Commission seats, including two from District 1.

Longtime businessman Bernard Mitchell and Orlando attorney Lindsay Oyewale have qualified to run in District 1, which covers northeast Sanford including downtown. Incumbent Commissioner Velma Williams, whose District 2 covers northwest Sanford, is seeking re-election.

The fact that Mitchell and Oyewale are running in a district that encompasses downtown Sanford and its historic district, instead of the majority black district represented by Williams, reflects the growing diversity, said Aubrey Jewett, a University of Central Florida political science professor.

While apparently contradictory, Jewett suggests, the new mix of residents -- a mix that includes fewer blacks -- is more likely to look at issues and personality than race.

"The voter today is more willing to look at candidates on where they stand on the issues, their leadership style and their message rather than race," Jewett said.

Oyewale, who moved to Sanford five years ago, agrees that downtown's revitalization has created a more diverse community.

"I think that's one of the great things about District 1," she said. "One of my priorities is to be able to address the needs of the growing and changing groups."

Mitchell and Oyewale aren't the only candidates in the District 1 race. Incumbent Art Woodruff is seeking a second term, and political newcomers Vance Taylor and Henry Dieckhaus also have qualified.

Sanford adopted single-member districts in 1984 and remains the only city in Seminole County and one of about a dozen in Central Florida to do so. The city's districting plan created one district with a majority black population. That led to Bob Thomas Jr.'s becoming the city's first black elected official. Williams succeeded Thomas in 1997.

If Mitchell or Oyewale are to succeed, they must run broad-issue campaigns that don't focus solely on their minority status, Jewett said. Blacks represent 34 percent of the district's registered voters while Hispanics account for 4 percent.

However, that doesn't mean black candidates won't enjoy the benefits of bloc voting. Blacks, Hispanics and other minorities tend to support their own. The 1996 race for Dade County mayor provides a textbook example, Jewett said.

In that race, Arthur Teele, a black Republican, took on Alex Penelas, a Cuban-American Democrat. Although most blacks vote Democrat, Teele picked up 95 percent of the black vote. Similarly, while most Cuban-Americans tend to vote Republican, Penelas picked up 92 percent of the Cuban-American vote.

Nine years later, elected boards in Central Florida still struggle to reflect their communities. But this year's election in Sanford hints that progress is being made, Jewett said.

"It could simply be a coincidence or a confluence of factors that led to that many minority candidates in Sanford," he said. "But 25 years ago, that confluence would not have come together."