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| LAI inductees with Craig photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
Since 2018 LWR consistently ranks the top performing multi-generational community in the nation; thus, LWC was a perfect location for the LAI Suncoast meeting.
About LAI
LAI is a growing network of chapters in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Each chapter offers a wide variety of programs with industry leaders, discussion forums, community service projects and networking events.
Membership is highly selective through a nomination process initiated by an LAI member. Nominees for LAI membership must demonstrate ten or more years of experience in their fields, professional distinction, and outstanding contributions to the community in their field of endeavor.
LAI is committed to excellence and high professional standards to make a difference. A value to members is knowing you are someone who helped make that difference.
LAI Suncoast History
In November 2023, LAI President Kathy King traveled from Los Angeles and LAI Past President, LAI Fellow, and New Chapter Development Chair Steven R Gragg from El Paso, Texas to support the underdevelopment chapter. Over their three-day Sarasota visit, a total of 13 new LAI members were inducted with several in individual ceremonies.
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| New LAI member John McCarthy hosted Kathy & Steve at Spanish Point Preserve. pictured left to right: Mary Dougherty, John, Kathy and Steve. photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
The Holly Elmore Images (HEI) album, LAI Suncoast Event, showcases the November 28 event while the LAI Suncoast Tours, Meetings, and Inductions album chronicles the plethora of activities during Steve and Kathy's three-day Sarasota visit.
For additional LAI Suncoast history, visit The IMPACT article, The Power of LAI Comes to Florida, for a recap of the chapter-development history, including an overview of the February 2023 Coastal Water Quality: challenges, solutions, and economic impact global webinar; LAI Suncoast members Dave Tomasko, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director, Jon Thaxton, Gulf Coast Community Foundation SVP Community Investment, Christine Johnson, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast President, and Sandy Gilbert, Solutions to Avoid Red Tide Chair, were the esteemed webinar panelists.
Lakewood Ranch*
LWR SVP Laura Cole gave a superb keynote presentation at the April 25 LAI Suncoast evening event on Lakewood Ranch: Past, Present, and Future. Per Laura's PPT presentation, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch (SMR) is the parent company of Lakewood Ranch, a 33,000+ acre master-planned community located in Manatee and Sarasota Counties in Southwest Florida.
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| Laura at the podium photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
Even with the 1986 completion of the I-75 Tampa to Naples extension, SMR was viewed too far out for long-range development purposes; city planners began targeting uses for SMR as an airport, landfill, and/or sewer plant. Rather than let short-sighted city planners decide upon their land's fate, SMR developed their own vision that capitalized on the nearby I-75 four exits. Via its proximity to I-75, LWR was destined to serve as a connector between the Tampa Bay Area and Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
Within the SMR Masterplan, lifestyle is the major focus with three cornerstones: environmental stewardship, water conservation, and financial strength and stability. Integral to the SMR Masterplan was maintaining SMR operations on the yet-to-be-developed land. Rather than retain it for revenue-generating purposes, SMR sold the land when development was complete.
Designed as a mixed-use, multi-generational, primary home community, the SMR visionary development is a huge success, and since 2018 is consistently ranked the top performing multi-generational community in the nation. Within the development, 40% of the land is dedicated to open space with parks and trails forming the connective tissue of the master plan.
In February 1994, LWR segued as the consumer-facing name for SMR.
LWR at a Glance:
67 Residential Villages/Neighborhoods
LWR Aerial View
photo courtesy of LWR- Single Family, Condos, Active Adult & Age Restricted + Rental & Assisting Living
- 29,187 Households
- For-Sale & Rent
- 70,820 Population
- Based on Occupied Rental For-Sale & Rental
- 49 Average Age
- $142K Average Household Income
- Median is $118k
- 75% College Educated
- 20% With Advanced Degrees
- 5 Business Parks + 3 Town Centers (6M sqft)
LWR Town Center Aerial View
photo courtesy of LWR - 2,885 Businesses
- 20,076 Employees
- Education
- 8 Public Schools (A-Rated)
- 6 Private Schools (K-12)
- 12 Pre-schools
- 10 Colleges & Universities
- Medical
- Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
- LECOM Medical Schools
- Recreation & Civic
- 150 Miles of Trails & Parks
- Parks & Recreation Program
- Premier Sports Campus
- Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club
- Sarasota Polo Club
- Community Activities Corporation
- LWR Community Fund
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| Craig with Jim after induction photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
As of this article's publishing, LAI Suncoast boasts 21 members with many promising prospects. Two prospects who could not attend the April meeting registered for the Thursday, June 13 5:30 pm LAI Suncoast event; the Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF) will host and sponsor the meeting, and LAI Suncoast member Jon Thaxton, GCCF SVP Community Investment, will speak on Affordable Housing: there are simple solutions.
With strong LAI Global support, the LAI Suncoast executive team will shift gears over the summer to address the administrative tasks involved within the chapter-charter process. The goal is to formally charter the LAI Suncoast Chapter at the 2024 LAI Land Economics Gathering hosted in Phoenix, AZ October 16 - 18.
In addition to Lakewood Ranch, LAI Suncoast is a shining star within Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
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Tax-deductible donations in any amount are greatly appreciated to support Ei's important work.
For additional information, contact Holly Elmore at 404-510-9336 | holly@elementalimpact.org.