On 20th anniversary, Lakewood Ranch thriving thanks to SMR's bold vision

Creative. Innovative. Visionary.

Those are but a few of the descriptions of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch's development of Lakewood Ranch from its founding 20 years ago. One of the top-selling master-planned communities in the country, Lakewood Ranch has grown from the first 50 residents in Summerfield Village settling in 1995 to a population of more than 25,000 today.

With the home-building and real-estate markets surging once again, that figure is rising. Projects abound across SMR's vast acreage -- especially on the 7,000 acres in Sarasota County that will eventually become the Villages of Lakewood Ranch South.

Tonight, SMR will celebrate this 20th anniversary with a free party open to the public -- at, appropriately, one of the community's biggest attractions, the sprawling Premier Sports Campus, 5889 Post Blvd.

With gourmet and family-friendly restaurants, A-rated schools, unique shops and boutiques, movie theater, business parks, a hospital and medical center, Lakewood Ranch appeals to a broad spectrum of individuals and families.

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of Lakewood Ranch Main Street, which last Friday hosted a block party to celebrate that milestone, drawing thousands of celebrants to the community's vibrant gathering spot.

Among its many other positive attributes, Lakewood Ranch features more than 150 miles of sidewalks and trails winding through the 3,500 acres set aside as lakes, nature and wetland preserves, and neighborhood parks.

With well designed golf courses, fitness and aquatics centers, lighted tennis courts as well as polo and cricket clubs, the recreational opportunities are central to the community.

Also, SMR emphasizes environmentally friendly development. Since 2005, every village features homes built with products and techniques that yield healthier residences, energy efficiency and more, everyone meeting the Florida Green Building Coalition's Green Home Standard. Lakewood Ranch now boasts the title of "Largest Green Community in America," an admirable feat.

SMR's "live, work, play" philosophy is being implemented with new development that places housing, employment and shopping in close proximity, thereby negating the need to build more roads to accommodate traffic and reduce suburban sprawl.

In an interview with the Herald, conducted by East Manatee reporter James A. Jones Jr., SMR president and chief executive officer Rex Jensen expressed his views on the evolution of Lakewood Ranch.

"We have done a lot of things out here that were not historic development practices," he said, citing Main Street, major transportation projects and working closely with the Manatee County School District to create a host of A-rated schools.

The latter achievement has been critical to building a community, as has the opening of the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center in 2004 and the creation of Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park.

Alongside quality residential development, Jensen noted in the Oct. 18 article, "You put all that together and you have a community."

As a 25-year SMR employee, Jensen played a key role in the birth and growth of Lakewood Ranch.

Credit SMR for building infrastructure -- roads, water and sewer lines and more -- ahead of any housing or commercial development, something most other builders cannot provide. Schroeder-Manatee literally paves the way, too, on key arterial connections, planning to extend both Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Lorraine Road south to Fruitville Road in Sarasota County.

The company also agreed to give Sarasota County $7.5 million to build an Interstate 75 overpass two miles south of University Parkway, thus providing Lakewood Ranch traffic easier access to both the Mall at University Town Center and the city of Sarasota. That will also east the congestion at the University Parkway/I-75 interchange.

All that is commendable corporate citizenship.

Life in a master-planned community such as this is a far cry from typical urban settings. Happy anniversary to SMR, Lakewood Ranch and its unique lifestyle.

This story was originally published October 23, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "On 20th anniversary, Lakewood Ranch thriving thanks to SMR's bold vision ."