Corner takes cue for commercial buildout

LAKEWOOD RANCH — As the development of Lakewood Ranch expands north and east, developers have their eyes set on the Ranch’s future geographic center: the corner of Lorraine Road and State Road 70.

Developer Richard Kerper has submitted plans to Manatee County for Lorraine Corners Southeast Commercial Center, a 15,500-square-foot commercial node at 14634 S.R. 70. The site runs parallel to S.R. 70, in front of The Goddard School and immediately east of the future Wawa location, currently under construction.

“It’s an area that’s really great that’s only going to get better,” Kerper said of why he is choosing to develop at that location. “We think there’s a good residential base there now and definitely a lot of growth to come. When Lakewood Ranch is built out completely, we’re dead center. And Wawa is a great traffic generator.”

Kerper said he will close on the two-acre property once the county approves site plans, likely within 120 days. He will begin efforts to lease the property with local service business, such as a hairdresser or fast food, or possibly national tenants.

Construction is expected to take six to eight months.

Kerper also developed the new Learning Experience day care at the intersection’s southwest corner, immediately south of Walgreens. The facility held a ribbon-cutting and open house Aug. 13 and its first day of business Monday.

“You’ve got quality child care in the area already,” he said. “With the residential base and what’s coming in, there’s certainly an additional need for child care.”

In June, Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch submitted a preliminary application to rezone a 17-acre parcel and build a shopping center at the northeast corner of Lorraine and S.R. 70. 

The project includes three out multitenant parcels ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 square feet apiece, and a separate 5,000-square-foot bank. The plaza will be anchored by a 45,600-square-foot tenant, likely a grocery store, with five adjacent businesses, each at about 1,400 square feet.

Kirk Boylston, president of SMR subsidiary Lakewood Ranch Commercial, said the whole property is under contract, but declined to disclose particulars until the sale is finalized at the end of the year.

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But once it and Kerper’s project are complete, the intersection, which SMR collectively calls Lorraine Corners, will be nearly complete. The only remaining parcel at the intersection is one adjacent to Walgreens, Boylston said.

“There’s no more land in that area,” Boylston said. “(Current and future residents) and Premier Sports Campus (visitors) — those people will really benefit by having these new retail amenities.” 

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].