City of Sanford Road Named W.P. Ball Boulevard

SANFORD, FLA. -- Today, North American Properties, along with officials from the City of Sanford, Fla. and members of the Ball family, celebrates the dedication of W.P. Ball Boulevard, a new four-lane road connecting Towne Center Boulevard and Rinehart Road in Sanford, Fla. The 0.5-mile roadway was developed in conjunction with North American’s MarketPlace at Seminole Towne Center, a half-million-square-foot, mall-peripheral power center located on 62 acres across from Seminole Towne Center. Officials expect the new artery to ease traffic throughout the Rinehart Corridor, Orlando’s newest retail district.

The following dignitaries will be on-hand to help North American Properties dedicate W.P. Ball Boulevard: Mayor Brady Lessard (City of Sanford) and Commissioner Kevin Hipes (City of Sanford). North American Properties executives will include: Mark Toro, partner, and Jeff Pape, Senior Development Manager.

“By now, our vision for the MarketPlace at Seminole Towne Center is well known throughout the City of Sanford,” stated Mark Toro, partner, North American Properties. “However, what is not as well known is the important role played by the family of Mr. W.P. Ball. The shopping center simply would not have been possible without their support. The Ball family embraced our vision and worked hand-in-hand with us to bring it to reality, even when it was only a sketch on paper. It is for this reason that we dedicate this road in honor of W.P. Ball.”

A Florida businessman for five decades, William “Billy” P. Ball started Ball Trucking in the 1950s, hauling produce throughout the mid-Atlantic coast and northeastern United States for major grocery chains. Soon after, Mr. Ball began to accumulate acreage, acquiring approximately 300 acres of groves and pasture land in Seminole County and the surrounding region. With the development of Interstate 4, the Ball family holdings were split, leaving the majority of the land on the east side of the highway. Following his retirement in 1986, Mr. Ball began to sell parcels of the family land. The 62 acres purchased by North American Properties in 2004 for the shopping center is the last significant parcel of land owned by the W.P. Ball family. Mr. Ball died in 1989.

The 62 acres was purchased from WPB Properties, Inc. in 2004 for an undisclosed amount. Anne A. Wallace, an independent broker, represented the seller.

The SuperTarget store will open March 6, 2005. The MarketPlace at Seminole Towne Center will celebrate its grand opening on June 4, 2005.

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