The initial demo of the former Factory Outlet Mall started today (12.28.17) on the southeast corner of the structure.
When completely demolished, it will be replaced with The Lake District (TLD) which is to be an upscale 160+ acre mixed used community surrounding a 10-acre lake and waterways. The location is on the southeast corner of I-40 and Canada Road in Lakeland.
That process should take four to six weeks, said John Morris, foreman with Tri-State Recycling. Thus the project is ahead of the original schedule to have both buildings removed by April 2018, a requirement imposed by the City.
TLD is to be a walkable community with parks, water features, retail, restaurants, two hotels, 360 homes, 220 rentals over retail, 15 pad sites and office space and assisted living. It is to contain 279,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. The former Mall was almost 300,000 square feet with 1,400 parking spaces.
Ground breakinig on the new venue is expected in 2018.
… Photo by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
