Commissioners approve changes to Lakewood Centre project

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners approved changes to the general development plan for the Lakewood Centre, a three-phase project in Lakewood Ranch originally approved in 2008, at its land-use meeting Thursday. 

Commissioners voted 7-0 in favor of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch’s proposal for less commercial and office space in the first phase of the project and more residential housing than originally requested.

The plan calls for SMR to exchange 100,000 square feet of commercial space and 100,000 square feet of office space for 1,008 single-family homes. 

“The change allows us to move more rapidly in producing the residential product, which will give the critical mass needed for the commercial and office uses that follow,” said Todd Pokrywa, vice president of planning for SMR.

Original approvals for Lakewood Centre allowed for exchanges of land use to respond to changing market demand. 

County staff reviewed the proposed changes and determined this new mix does not exceed the impacts of the previous plan. 

Phase one of the project, located east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, west of Pope Road and north of State Road 70, originally called for 900 residential units, 460,000 square feet of retail space, 458,000 square feet of office space, a 300-room hotel and 36 acres of parks.

Development of the project’s first phase began with the construction of the 272-unit Lost Creek Apartments in 2011. 

The first phase, to be completed in 2022, will also encompass the 256-unit Creekside Apartments and the Intercoastal Medical Group’s new medical facility. 

The entire project will be finished in 2026.

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected].