Florida Construction News staff writer
Collier County commissioners have unanimously approved the Corkscrew Grove East development despite public opposition, moving forward a massive community under the county’s Rural Lands Stewardship Area (RLSA) program.
Construction on the first village could begin in 2028 or 2029, according to project timelines.
The approval means the first phase of the Corkscrew Grove Villages concept can go ahead on land near Corkscrew Road and State Road 82, a plan that ultimately includes two 1,500-acre mixed-use communities.
The East Village would include more than 4,500 homes and 280,000 square feet of commercial space for retail, dining, office, medical and light industrial uses. Plans also call for 70,000 square feet of civic space intended for schools, churches and emergency services, as well as parks, trails, lakes and preserved natural areas.
Alico Inc., a Southwest Florida-based agribusiness and land management company, is leading the project. The company says the proposal is intended to implement the vision of the RLSA program by balancing growth with conservation, open space preservation and habitat restoration.
While the broader Corkscrew Grove Villages plan includes two villages, Tuesday’s approval applies to the East Village.
Several residents spoke at the meeting, presenting concerns about traffic, urban sprawl and impact on wildlife habitat including Florida panthers.
Developers said the project is designed to help accommodate regional population growth while creating a more self-sustaining community that integrates housing, employment and services.
Before construction can begin, Alico must secure permits from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for both villages within the Corkscrew Grove development.
