In the bustling Lake County suburb of Groveland, a significant transaction has taken place, signaling progress in the region’s infrastructure development. An Orlando-based developer, renowned for their ambitious $1 billion agrihood project, The Grow, has acquired a property with strategic implications.
Dwight Saathoff, President of Project Finance & Development LLC, disclosed to Orlando Business Journal that his consortium, in partnership with Storybook Holdings LLC from Winter Park, secured a parcel of approximately 15.75 acres along U.S. Highway 27 in Groveland. The acquisition, valued at just under $2 million, positions the property adjacent to the Kroger Fulfillment Center within Groveland’s Ford Commerce Park, strategically located near the interchange of U.S. 27 with Florida’s Turnpike.
The seller, Leesburg Regional Medical Center Inc., an entity affiliated with UF Health Leesburg Hospital, facilitated the transaction. While executives from UF Health were not immediately available for comment, the deed for the transaction is yet to be recorded in Lake County public records.
Saathoff outlined ambitious plans for the acquired property, envisioning its transformation into a 259-space truck parking and outdoor industrial storage facility. With an estimated project cost of $7.5 million, the development will offer parking stalls measuring 70 feet by 12 feet, available for monthly rent at $325 each. Saathoff expressed progress in selecting a contractor for the buildout, revealing that the list has been narrowed down to three potential candidates.
Highlighting a pressing need, Saathoff emphasized the acute shortage of truck parking facilities in Central Florida. The state’s recent success in securing a substantial grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the construction of four truck parking sites, boasting a total of 917 spaces, underscores the gravity of the situation. Presently, the region offers a mere 36 public truck parking spots, with a demand projected to reach 750 by 2025 and 883 by 2040 in FDOT’s District 5, encompassing nine counties.
FDOT spokesperson Cynthia Lane underscored the imperative nature of addressing this shortage, particularly as the region’s population and freight traffic continue to surge. Lane emphasized that ensuring adequate rest stops for truckers is not only essential for their well-being but also mandated by regulations governing their driving hours.
The findings of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2019 Jason’s Law Report further corroborate the severity of the issue, revealing that a staggering 98% of U.S. truck drivers face challenges in finding safe parking for rest, a significant increase from 75% reported in 2015.
As Central Florida navigates its rapid growth trajectory, the development of essential infrastructure like truck parking facilities emerges as a critical priority, essential for sustaining the region’s economic vitality and ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents and visitors alike.
