Despite the summer heat, development in DeSoto County continued in July with progress at new businesses, as well as some local, longtime hotspots. For this July wrap-up of “What’s Going Up,” we focus on some of those longtime establishments and what’s going on with them, some “UPdates” for new projects in town, as well as a new section called “What’s Going Down.”
Peace River Campground
Peace River Campground, 2998 N.W. Highway 70, Arcadia, suffered massive damage from flooding before Hurrican Ian and after.
They were already flooded to the roof of their main office before the hurricane — a Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that hit Florida on September 28, 2022.
Flood level stage is around 11 feet in the Peace River area, according to the National Weather Service. After Hurricane Ian, flood levels peaked around 25 feet. Previously, the record flood level was around 20.5 feet.
The campground reopened in January 2023 and continues to be a hotspot for regular campers, RV’ers and tourists to DeSoto County.
“Everybody was excited when we opened back up,” campground operator Summer Lempenau said. “They were chomping at the bit to get back and enjoy the amenities of our park and they were excited to see the renovations that we’ve done.”
Lempenau added that they’ve seen an uptick in their reservations since Hurricane Ian, as well as a positive energy in “the overall atmosphere and enjoyment of the park.”
“People are bringing their side-by-sides — ATVs and such — and enjoying the river while it’s low.”
As of this interview, July 17, the river height was recorded at just under 3 feet, according to USGS.gov. As of this report, July 31, river height remained around 3 feet after peaking around 4.9 feet on July 29.
For more information about Peace River Campground, go to PeaceRiverCampground.com, Facebook.com/peacerivercampground or call 863-494-9693.
Team Arcadia @ The McSwain Park Building
With plans to host farmers markets, live music, and cultural and educational programs, Team Arcadia at the McSwain building is vibrant and active.
Team Arcadia, a local nonprofit, recently took over operations at the McSwain building, 16 S. Volusia Ave., in downtown Arcadia. The building, and the adjoining park, McSwain Park, is named for a pioneer doctor to the town, Dr. D.L. McSwain, who arrived in DeSoto County in 1899. He opened his Arcadia office in 1900.
In 1920, he became a stockholder and officer at the newly incorporated Arcadia General Hospital where he also served as dean of hospital staff.
For Team Arcadia, operations at the building are all about creating a hub for the community and for tourism.
“I felt that it could be so much more because it is a hub in the city … geographically, as well,” said Team Arcadia representative Allen Reesor. “We can do things like farmers markets and outdoor performances. We’ve got parking and handicap access. Sure, we’ve got limited access in terms of the volume and number of people, but we have a homely quaintness.”
Currently, Team Arcadia and the McSwain building are host to multiple cultural and educational programs and classes, such as dance, art, concerts, movies and entertainment, as well as reading and tutorial programs for all ages.
Reesor said the park is an additional benefit to the organization’s programs.
“Even when parents bring their child to dance class, the other kids can go play in the splash pad or playground in McSwain Park,” he said. “Parents can sit on the porch and really engage in old-fashioned porch sitting, which is a very social thing. A porch is a social gathering place so this has a great (wrap-around) porch (and) we want to try to utilize that.
“What we’re expecting to see out of here is a real connection with the history of the city and of this building and park.”
For more information, go to Facebook.com/McSwainCenter, or call 954-691-8014.
UPdates
Culver’s Restaurant
Ground has been broken on the highly-anticipated Culver’s Restaurant at 2455 SE Highway 70, outside of Publix Super Market at Arcadia Crossings Shopping Center in Arcadia.
Last spring, County Commissioners approved the development.
Construction crews recently had a portion of the Publix parking blocked off; however, that work has been resolved.
When it’s done, the 4,827 sq. foot restaurant will provide a drive through and all the other amenities associated with the franchise chain. For more information, go to Culvers.com.
Wawa (and Calvary Baptist Church)
Wawa development is nearing its end and eventual opening in Arcadia at its locaiton of 1509 E. Oak Street, Arcadia.
With a plan to open this November, representatives are excited to get the business rolling.
“Our store is projected to open in quarter four and we will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate our associates, customers and community,” said Wawa Public Relations Supervisor Jennifer Wolf. “Wawa is your all day, every day stop for freshly prepared foods like signature hoagies and salads, beverages, coffee, fuel services and surcharge-free ATMs and we’re looking forward to expanding in the Sunshine State to serve friends and neighbors in DeSoto County.”
A new access path is also being developed along Turner Avenue for both Wawa and a new facility planned at Calvary Baptist Church. The entry point will intersect with Turner slightly north of the Highway 70 and Turner intersection, across from the Tractor Supply parking lot, 1701 E Oak St.
Upon entry, the path will split into a “Y,” leading one direction to Wawa and the other to the new facility. Church representatives hope to begin construction on the new facility in fall 2023.
For more information, go to www.wawa.com/contact.
*Update: Wawa has since opened.
Take 5 Car Wash & Oil Change
Construction continues at the Take 5 Express Car Wash & Oil Change property, 2307 SE Highway 70, Arcadia.
The latest: builders are going up with the oil change portion of the company’s development.
The original plans showed construction of both the car wash and the oil change structures (seen here to the right).
A timeline for opening of the facility was not available at the time of this report.
For more information, go to www.take5.com/contact.
*Update: Take 5 Oil Change has opened.
Residential UPdates
Multiple residential developments continue to go up around town. See contact information below.
San Pedro Apartments at Meadow Park
San Pedro Apartments at Meadow Park continues to progress at Turner Avenue and Cody Street behind Tractor Supply, 1701 E Oak St. This project will provide 27 units — three bed, two bath — of affordable housing. Developers include NDA and Catholic Charities.
For more information about the apartments, or rental rates, contact [email protected], go to San Pedro at Meadow Park – NDC Asset Management, or call 941-907-4109.
Cardinal Corner
Located at SE Hargrave Street and SE Ninth Avenue, Cardinal Corner continues to be developed behind the old Saint Paul Catholic Church. The project provides 48 duplex units located in 24 buildings with 12 two-bed units ($547-$631) and 36 three-bed units ($1092-$1262). Heartland Development Group is listed as the primary developer.
For more information, contact Catholic Charities DeSoto County at 863-494-1068, or go to CatholicCharitiesdov.org.
Arcadia Landings
Arcadia Landings, located on E Gibson Street, near DeSoto Middle School, 420 E Gibson St., is in development to provide 56 affordable housing units for elderly, handicap and disabled residents. This project is being developed by NDA.
Arcadia Landings is a 55 and older apartment community. The community will include a mix of 32 – 1 bedroom units and 24 – 2 bedroom units.
For more information, go to National-Development.com/Arcadia-Landings.
Cypress Garden
Arcadia Housing Development Corp., along with Smith/Henzy and Regions, are developing Cypress Garden at the corner of N 11th Avenue and E Cypress Street. The property sits only a few blocks east of Memorial Elementary School and two blocks north of the DeSoto County Health Department, 1031 E Oak St. The development will provide 60 units of affordable housing. One-bed, two-bed and three-bed rental units will be available ranging from $455 to $947 depending on the size of the rental.
For more information, go to Arcadia Housing Authority (housingarcadia.com) or call 863-494-4343.
Hermosa Arcadia
Despite delays, Hermosa Arcadia is still in the works and will be located at Turner Avenue and Gibson Street, across from DeSoto County High School, 1710 E Gibson St. The new residential space will provide 27 units — three bed, two bath — with rent ranging from $789 to $992. Developers include Revital, National Development of America and the Arcadia Housing Authority.
For more information, go to Arcadia Housing Authority (housingarcadia.com) or call 863-494-4343.
What’s Going Down
Old Rodeo Grounds
For generations, the old rodeo arena near the DeSoto County Fairgrounds was the center of cowboy entertainment for locals, tourists and more. The arena, while aged and rusted from decades of weather and use, holds a place for many hearts in DeSoto County.
Those grounds were recently taken down for a potential new apartment development; however, that development is still in its early stages and no upcoming work has been confirmed.
“In 1959, the rodeo moved to the DeSoto County Fairgrounds (100 Heard St.), and the new arena was named for Rodeo President Carl Fenton who had worked tirelessly to move bleachers to that new location,” wrote DeSoto County Historian Carol Mahler in an email.
“In 1950, DeSoto County had mourned the death of Ed Welles, and no rodeo was held in 1951,” Mahler added. “In 1952, the Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo was incorporated with John D. Kelly as first president. The Welles family allowed the use of the [Welles] arena, and Pat Hansel provided the stock until his retirement in 1982.”
The March Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo, popularly known as “The Granddaddy of ’em all,” began in 1928. The event brings thousands of people to the DeSoto County area every year to the Mosaic Arena, 2450 NE Roan Street, Arcadia.
Popular and growing in numbers by the year, events like Bulls and Bands and the annual Fall Rodeo are also hosted by the rodeo association.
Those events are just around the corning with Bulls and Bands taking place Sept. 2 and the 10th Annual Fall Rodeo happening Oct. 21-22.
For more information, go to ARCADIA RODEO ASSOCIATION, ArcadiaRodeo.com, or call 1-800-749-7633. Tickets for these events are on sale at ArcadiaAllFloridaChampionshipr.thundertix.com/events.
