New Developments Announced In Lakewood Ranch

Announced in late December Waterside(previously known as South Villages of Lakewood Ranch) will begin construction in early 2016. Located south of University Parkway and East of I-75, Waterside will consist of 5,144 residential units and over 400,000 square feet of commercial and residential development to the area. 

Waterside will be built around the existing lakes created by SMR's mining operation. Waterside will have 12 neighborhoods and is supposed to include workforce housing units... AKA lower priced housing. The idea behind this is to allow the people that work in Lakewood Ranch a chance to live in Lakewood Ranch. 

The community plans to build shopping and restaurants around the lakes which will have electric powered boats in them to ferry people across. The plans include a extending Lakewood Ranch Blvd which currently ends at University Pkwy down to Fruitville Rd. Lorraine Rd will also be extended to meet Fruitville Rd. Also included will be a pedestrian and bike friendly bridge over Interstate 75 connecting to Cattleman Road. 

Infrastructure is to begin construction second quarter of 2016 with plans to be finished before the new diverging diamond interchange at University Pkwy and I-75. With the community fully built out in 20 years.

Also announced was the land acquisition by Lennar Homes on State Rt 70. There current plans are to build Lakewood Ranch National Golf and Country Club. This golf community will consist of 36 championship holes and 1500 or so homes. This land purchase also included additional land for there Bridgewater community.  

What do you think of these new developments? Will they hurt or help Lakewood Ranch and its national appeal?