Panther Run, the largest development within Lake County’s Wellness Way corridor, will transform one of the region’s most significant land acquisitions into a mixed-use community while preserving nearly three-quarters of the property as permanent open space.

The property, purchased by Fort Lauderdale-based GT USA for $165 million in September 2024, represents the largest land sale in Lake County history.

The development is expected to become a major employment center for South Lake County, featuring more than one million square feet of commercial and employment space capable of supporting more than 3,000 jobs.

County officials anticipate the project will attract employers in sectors including healthcare, finance, technology, research and development, advanced manufacturing, hospitality and tourism. The community also includes tourist-home accommodations projected to generate approximately $6 million annually in tourist development tax revenue. According to Doug Bruk, COO of GT USA, Pulte Homes is under contract to purchase some of the property for a Tourist Home community.

“We appreciate this opportunity to partner with Lake County on the execution of this portion of Wellness Way, where GT USA has designed a site with the stakeholders’ needs in mind,” said Bruk. “Our priorities include employment opportunities, improved roadways, expansive open spaces and a wildlife corridor that will benefit residents throughout Lake County.”  Bruk said the company is also working with Lake County on plans for a proposed public safety complex and a new high school to serve the area’s growing population.

A defining feature of Panther Run is its commitment to environmental preservation. Approximately 72.5 percent of the 2,241-acre property will remain undeveloped, encompassing lakes, wetlands, uplands, conservation areas and more than two square miles of protected open space.

The development will include a wildlife corridor designed to close a critical gap in the Florida Wildlife Corridor, supporting wildlife movement between North and South Florida. A two-mile nature trail will provide public access through portions of the preserved landscape.

Developers note that, despite the project’s name, Florida panthers do not inhabit the property. The name “Panther Run” was chosen to reflect the community’s emphasis on conservation and environmental stewardship.

Residential development will occupy approximately 16 percent of the site, with about 2,600 homes planned under Lake County’s Wellness Way Comprehensive Plan first adopted in 2016. The neighborhoods are designed to accommodate a range of residents, from first-time homebuyers to working professionals and retirees.

The community plan includes:

• More than 11 miles of walking, jogging and cycling trails.
• Twenty neighborhood parks.
• Low-density residential neighborhoods integrated with preserved natural areas.
• Extensive open space promoting outdoor recreation and healthy lifestyles.

Infrastructure improvements are expected to provide significant traffic relief for South Lake County.

More than four miles of new roadway will extend County Road 455 and create a direct connection to State Road 516, improving access throughout the Wellness Way corridor while reducing congestion in south Clermont and surrounding Sawgrass Bay neighborhoods.

Project representatives emphasized that Panther Run is consistent with Lake County’s long-term planning objectives and does not require amendments to the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

“The county provided the vision for Wellness Way in its Comprehensive Plan, first approved in 2016,” said Tara Tedrow, a land-use attorney with Orlando-based Lowndes, which represents the project. “The Panther Run plan meets, and in some cases exceeds, the county’s requirements. We are not seeking amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, only the planned unit development approval required under county policy.”

In addition to residential and employment uses, Panther Run reserves land for future public facilities, including:

• A proposed high school serving South Lake County.
• An eight-acre public safety complex with a fire station and sheriff’s substation.
• Expanded roadway infrastructure supporting regional growth.

Looking Ahead: GT USA expects construction on Panther Run to begin during the first quarter of 2027. The company will host a public open house on August 10 from 5 to 7 pm at the Clermont Arts and Recreation Center, where residents can learn more about the proposed development and its plans for the Wellness Way corridor.

As the largest project within Lake County’s Wellness Way initiative, Panther Run is positioned to become a model for balanced growth—combining job creation, transportation improvements, environmental conservation and thoughtfully planned neighborhoods into a community designed for future generations.

Based on materials prepared by Doris Bloodsworth, New Florida Media

The post Spotlight Shines On Wellness Way: The Vision Moves Forward As Panther Run Master-Planned Community Unveils Development Plans appeared first on South Lake Tablet.