The equipment has rolled into The Lake District (TLD) today (3.25.19) to start clearing the property after rain and mud delayed the project.
The 160-acre mixed-use development is planned for I-40 and Canada Road in Lakeland.
Yehuda Netanel, president of Gilad Development and developer of The Lake District, said, “There was no way to get the dump trucks to haul the cut trees to the burn site. Earthwork all over the South came to a muddy halt. Lakeland is no exception. Other earth work in the area did not proceed either.”
Two excavators and a bulldozer arrived today to be joined by more on Thursday to start asphalt scrapping and removal. Tomorrow felled trees will be moved to the burn site and burned.
Mr. Netanel estimated completion in two to three weeks. “If we had removed the asphalt during January or February, we would have had a new huge muddy lake and the work would have been delayed well past April,” said Mr. Netanel.
Grading will begin as soon as the clearing is complete, estimating April 20th or sooner, he said.
After the grading process comes compaction and infrastructure work like sewer, storm drain and water line.
The Lake District, set for phase one opening in 2020, includes retail, restaurants and two hotels, said Mr. Netanel. “The District will offer curated retail stores, coffee shops, community events and dining all overlooking a beautiful 10-acre lake. Luxury living with a walkable community of upscale apartments and a single-home neighborhood will also be available,” added Mr. Netanel.
As an aside, the property is being used as a staging area for the new trash receptacles delivered to Lakeland residents this week. There are three cans: one for trash, one for yard waste and one for recycling. They have the City of Lakeland logo on them.
Mr. Netanel authorized TLD property could be utilized for the staging.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
