High hopes surround plans for Lake District
The Lake District plans showcased last week certainly could change the face of Lakeland’s interchange at Interstate 40. A kind of suburban renewal for an exit that has a rundown, abandoned look with few attractions for a traveler other than a Cracker Barrel or someone in Shelby County looking for fireworks at the log cabin on the west side of Canada Road.
The Lake District is destined to cover 160 acres including the abandoned Belz Factory Outlet Mall site and the adjacent 120 acres to the south. That land is owned by Belz Enterprises, but California-based Gilad Development Inc. has an option to purchase the former site of Lakeland International Raceway.
Yehuda Netanel, head of Gilad, along with associate Maggie Gallagher, spoke glowingly of their project with its boutique shops, lakeside restaurants, and services such as a day care, a gym, outdoor farmers market and an arts center.
Around the northeast perimeter are bigger box retailers, such as a grocery store.
The “village” concept is part of the walkable community idea some cities are striving to provide. Close-quartered residences, services nearby. An enclosure of many things needed in daily life without having to leave the “neighborhood.”
And developers are willing to drop brand names like Crate and Barrel, Restoration Hardware and Pier
1 as their desired tenants.
“There are a lot of nationals that aren’t in Memphis yet,” Gallagher said, noting the Wolfchase Galleria area is full. “They haven’t had the opportunity to come into a project that’s mixed-use like this where we might get a little more luxury, upscale retail.”
And, the best thing about the plan is the razing of the old outlet mall and the nearby strip center along the entrance drive from Canada Road.
Several people, including Lakeland Mayor Wyatt Bunker, compared the “new urbanism” plan to Seaside near Destin, Florida.
But before the excitement begins, a couple of reality checks:
First, there are a lot of city reviews necessary before the project is approved, and city officials shouldn’t get so excited about the overall desired concept to abandon their design principals. Not to say they will, but just a reminder to sweat the details.
And, secondly, right now this is nothing more than a vision. A dream. A gleam in a developer’s eye. A developer who has presented other grand plans for the mall site from an Americana-theme with an electric train carrying customers around the property to an outdoor pedestrian mall. Add to that, Belz hasn’t developed its 2008 mixed-use plans for the 120 acres to the south.
None of the ideas have reached fruition. The Belz property is still vacant, and the outlet mall property still sits abandoned — an eyesore for the city. There is probably more evidence of the old drag strip on the 160 acres than any hints of the previous development plans considered.
Yes, there were economic issues that stymied the plans. Yes, there is the ever-present construction at the Canada Road-Interstate 40 interchange to deter people from taking the exit.
It remains to be seen whether, in three to five years, the latest Gilad idea is a reality or just an unfulfilled plan.
OAKLAWN GARDEN: This is the prime time to wander onto Oaklawn Garden, Germantown’s new park courtesy of Harry and Becky Cloyes. And the suburb seized the opportunity by reopening the grounds to visitors this month.
Everything should be in bloom by now, drawing photographers from around the area, along with those who just appreciate the beauty of a load of azaleas.
As you may recall, the suburb took over the property on Poplar Pike near the Norfolk Southern Railway crossing after Becky died in December. Her husband, Harry, died in 2011. The couple lived on the property the entire time they were married and donated the land to the city for use as a park upon their deaths. The property location provides a wide recreation area through Old Germantown and east of the historic district with C.O. Franklin Park, Morgan Woods, Oaklawn and the Bobby Lanier Farm Park to the east of Oaklawn.
Germantown reporter Jane Roberts mentioned the opening of Oaklawn in a story recently regarding plans to improve the nearby Old Germantown district. The city plans some streetscape work to enhance curb appeal with benches, plantings and trees.
COLLIERVILLE EXIT: Reporter Daniel Connolly outlined details associated with a lawsuit filed by a former Collierville firefighter against the town. William L. Boone contends former Fire Chief Jerry Crawford showed favoritism to members of the department with roots in Fayette County. Crawford, a lifelong resident of Fayette County, is now that county’s fire chief.
Collierville officials denied Boone’s contentions.
GERMANTOWN EXIT: Germantown is getting a new sanitation contractor in July, and residents are probably going to get a new, higher bill. Roberts noted the details from a meeting of the city’s Financial Advisory Commission regarding its consideration of the bill in a recent story and will continue to follow the developments.