Florida Project Creates Sustainable Community

Since Neal Communities began development of the new Grand Palm Housing Community, in Venice, Fla. in 2012, Oldcastle Precast Cape Coral has been supplying underground precast concrete products to build the storm water and wastewater conveyance structures required around the community.

To-date, 70 precast concrete sanitary manholes, two lift stations, 125 inlets, 200 box culverts, wing walls and head walls have been installed. Used as part of the wastewater and sewage system, the sanitary manholes collect the wastewater and sewage, sending it into the lift station that pumps the wastewater from the on-site system to the wastewater plant via piping.

The concrete box culverts, head walls and wing walls create several 750-ft drainage channels, used to direct storm water away from the community into to the South Florida Water Management canal. The storm water conveyance system reduces the damaging effects of accelerated storm water runoff, soil erosion and sedimentation during a storm event.

Grand Palm Community, the first housing development built under the Sarasota 2050 plan, demonstrates an approach to building in concert with local government while preserving the environment, and highlights Neal Communities commitment to sustainability, low-impact design and economic stimulation.

The 1,005-acre community boasts more than 9 miles of connected wildlife corridors, a 32-acre lake, a 6-acre adventure island (with two fishing piers and a kayak livery), and an 18-acre central amenity area for all ages.

Approved more than 14 years ago, the Sarasota 2050 plan is a detailed land-use plan to preserve open space and to encourage construction of mixed-use communities. The plan requires builders to follow a set of specific rules crafted to encourage construction of village-style neighborhoods rather than traditional suburb regulations that come in exchange for the ability to increase density. The plan creation was to check urban sprawl east of I-75.

The Grand Palm Community, projected to have 1,999 homes when finished, is a certified green community by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC).

Forsberg Construction, Inc., a Southwest Florida based underground utility and site work contractor, is the general contractor completing the land clearing and all utility installations.

Source: Oldcastle Precast