Construction of a large mixed-use project on farmland across from Pinellas Plaza along County Road 466A could begin this summer.
Wildwood commissioners voted Monday night to extend the project’s planned development ordinance for a year upon the request of a Sarasota engineering firm. The ordinance, which required that construction begin within two years, expired Jan. 11.
The property is east of County Road 462 next to Trailwinds Village.
“At this time, we feel that there is an opportunity to commence design and permitting efforts with an estimated construction start in the summer of 2018,” Matthew Morris, president of Morris Engineering and Construction, wrote in a Jan. 8 letter to Melanie Peavy, Wildwood development services director.
Morris blamed market conditions for the delay in beginning the project. Over the past several months, his firm has been working with Peavy’s office on minor changes to the development plan.
Last March, Wellstone Living applied for a permit to grade the property and complete a drainage plan so utility construction could begin.
The former owner, WholeLife Properties, announced in December 2015 that the planned development on 154 acres would include more than 700 homes and apartments as well as 543,000 square feet of commercial space and 172,250 square feet of institutional space.
The first phase, scheduled to begin nearly two years ago, included 400 luxury bungalows expected to rent to adults age 55 and older on three-year leases for $3,000 to $4,000 a month. An apartment building of up to six stories also was planned.
The project was delayed when WholeLIfe Properties filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June 2016 after a lender’s letter threatened foreclosure on property the company owns in McKinney, Texas. Bankruptcy documents listed John P. Lowery as the sole owner of WholeLife Properties.
