$1 Billion Agrihood Approved Near Orlando, Florida

"After Orlando County commissioners approved a new $1 billion development plan—dubbed 'The Grow'—in a 4-2 vote last week, the project will move into its design and permitting phase, with construction scheduled to start next summer," reports Joe Ransawak.

The development is especially notable as a large example of a new development trend known as "agrihood," which "champions farm-to-table living in a cooperative community," according to Ransawak.

"The Grow will be situated on 1,189 acres behind the University of Central Florida campus. It will feature 2,078 homes, a community garden, a 20-acre community park, an elementary school, 12 miles of bike trails, and 172,000 square feet of commercial development, including retail spaces and a restaurant that incorporates food grown in the community garden," according to Ransawak's explanation.

Rachel Williams broke the news of the development's approval by Orlando County, reporting that the project's support was built on the need to support the growth of east Orlando. Opponents, however, called the project "urban sprawl."

On a final note reported in the article by Ransawak, an Urban Land Institute report estimated the number of agrihoods around the country at 200, in states like California, Idaho, Virginia, Hawaii, Colorado, Texas, Illinois, and Vermont.