Related/Ross representatives told the Village of Wellington council during a Nov. 10 workshop that their 71‑acre K‑Park project aims to create a walkable, mixed‑use downtown with retail, restaurants, office, a 180‑room, six‑story hotel and event space fronting a central lake.

Ken Himel of the Related/Ross team described the plan and consultants provided renderings and a circulation strategy. "We don't have to go out and this is not gonna be a situation where you're gonna be on the edge of your chairs for a year and a half waiting to see, did they get the equity?" Himel said, noting that equity and financing commitments are in place.

Design consultant David Benfredi and the team emphasized pedestrian‑oriented public space, diagonal main‑street parking, multiple pocket parks and a promenade to a lakeside village square. The hotel, described as a higher‑quality extended‑stay product under a Hilton Curio‑type flag, will sit at the center of the plan and is expected to be the tallest building at six stories.

Developers said off‑site road improvements are significant: they estimate about $17 million of off‑site investments, including a new signalized intersection, added turn lanes, a rotary at the school entry and widened approaches at 441 and Stribling. "We're triggering upgrading the intersection that is effectively a failing intersection today," a Related engineer said, noting Langan civil engineers have prepared advanced drawings and bid packages are underway.

The team proposed financing options that could include a Community Development District (CDD) to support infrastructure and said they will seek state appropriations for utility work (water, sewer, lift stations) that would be conveyed to the village. Staff and the developer said the village would be the formal applicant for any state appropriations and would seek assurances the village's ongoing appropriations would not be jeopardized.

Timing presented to the council called for village readings in mid‑ to late February, site‑plan approvals in March and site work starting in March, with a retail opening objective in October 2028. "This is going to happen by the end of the first quarter," a developer representative said regarding initial tenant commitments and leasing targets.

Council members asked about traffic, shared parking agreements with adjacent Life Church and the school, and how residential capacity might be phased in later phases. Developers said shared parking arrangements are being documented and that conversion of surface parking to garages would accompany any later residential infill.

Next steps: the developer will return with formal MUPD and site‑plan applications for council readings; staff and the developer will continue coordinate on off‑site improvements, the state appropriations request and CDD details.