A $200M Mixed Use Project Planned cuts city’s financial risk and expands community benefits across south Lake County
Groveland, Fla. (August 17, 2026) — A proposed land swap could result in a $25 million savings for the City of Groveland, along with a $200 million investment in new healthcare, commercial and educational opportunities for South Lake residents.
Tonight, Avalon Park Group, together with development partner Carabao International, will present the framework of the land swap to the Groveland City Council. This framework would reduce the City’s financial exposure, ease demand on municipal services and bring new healthcare, education and hospitality uses to one of Central Florida’s fastest-growing regions.
The proposal comes as Groveland experiences rapid residential growth. With approvals already in place for as many as 20,000 additional homes, the community’s essential services and infrastructure have struggled to keep pace. In a community that is master-planned from the ground up, the schools, healthcare and gathering places residents rely on rise alongside the homes rather than years behind them. Because much of Groveland’s growth arrived before those services could follow, the master plan presented to the City Council tonight is designed to bring them back into balance.
“Groveland is at an inflection point,” said Beat Kahli, president and CEO of Avalon Park Group. “When a town is built the right way, essential services grow right alongside the rooftops from the very beginning. Much of Groveland’s growth came before those services could catch up, so our goal is to add them back in, exactly as we would if we were building this community from scratch. The master plan we presented tonight is a game changer for the city and for south Lake County.”
“This is exactly the kind of public-private partnership that creates lasting value for a community,” Kahli added. “We are grateful to the City of Groveland for its collaboration and shared vision. Together, we are working toward a solution that benefits residents, supports responsible growth and creates opportunities for the region for generations to come.”
The Carabao Commons project, which was approved in 2024, was to include approximately 530 residential units, 45,000 square feet of commercial space and a 25,000-square-foot community center in historic downtown Groveland. The project was tied to a $25 million incentive package for Carabao, a Windermere real estate investment company, and Avalon Park Group.
City officials have expressed concern that the package could negatively affect city finances while increasing demand on utilities and emergency services.
Under the proposed exchange, Carabao would convey the downtown property to the city and forgo its incentive package, while the city would convey approximately 34 usable acres it owns on Sampey Road, which is currently being used as a spray field.
The swap would occur only after Sampey Road receives the necessary zoning and entitlements, giving both parties certainty before finalizing.
The plans for Sampey Road substantially reduce residential intensity while expanding community-serving uses. In place of the 530 downtown units, it calls for approximately 94 single-family lots, plus two free-standing healthcare facilities (an urgent care center and a separate emergency room), and expanding access to medical care in the area.
At the center of the plan is an Academic Village offering K-12 education, secondary education, technical training and workforce certification, developed with educational institutions, employers and nonprofits.
Taken together, the Sampey Road and downtown components represent a substantial private investment in south Lake County. When fully realized, including the approximately 94 single-family homes, the two healthcare facilities, the Academic Village, a hotel and a mixed-use building, Avalon Park Group estimates the total investment across both sites at approximately $200 million.
Avalon Park Group and Carabao International intend to remain involved in downtown Groveland’s redevelopment and are working with the city on a hospitality-anchored infill strategy that incorporates state-of-the-art technologies, with plans to include a hotel, restaurants, and gathering spaces highlighting arts and culture. As part of that commitment, Carabao International/Avalon Park Group will dedicate the historic downtown train station back to the City of Groveland, along with additional land at no cost to accommodate a future addition and a public plaza out front.
“When formalized, this agreement represents a positive step forward for Groveland and the surrounding area,” said Mayor Keith Keogh, of Groveland. “By working together, we are able to look beyond individual parcels and focus on the larger opportunity: creating a stronger, more connected and more sustainable future for our residents.”
Kahli added: “We believe the best outcomes happen when the public and private sectors come to the table with a shared goal. This agreement is a win for the City of Groveland, a win for Avalon Park Group and Carabao International and, most importantly, a win for the community.”
Next steps include a working session with city leadership, due diligence on Sampey Road and a non-binding term sheet outlining exchange terms and infrastructure responsibilities. Additional details will follow as planning moves forward.
