Southeast Region Land & Development Journal

Early concept details are emerging around a large-scale agritourism development being explored near the I-64 / I-71 corridor in central Kentucky, as first reported by the Southeast Region Land & Development Journal. The opportunity is tied to a Shelby County farm owner currently in discussions with a Florida-based commercial real estate group regarding a land position encompassing more than 4,430 contiguous acres spanning Northeast Shelby County and extending into Northern Franklin County — a holding of a scale rarely assembled in the Commonwealth outside of state or federal ownership.

The site's positioning along the Interstate 64 and Interstate 71 corridor — one of the most trafficked freight and passenger routes in the Commonwealth — has drawn attention from regional planners and economic development observers who note the land's proximity to both Louisville and Lexington. At 4,430-plus acres, the land position is comparable in scale to some of the largest theme park and resort campuses in the United States, affording any prospective buyer substantial flexibility in phasing, buffering, and long-term expansion. The Florida-based commercial real estate group has not disclosed the full composition of its membership, though early-stage planning materials suggest an interest in an agritourism-anchored mixed-use concept.

Local attorney Matthew Wade has been approached to represent the seller in the discussions. Sources familiar with the matter describe the seller as open-minded as options are being explored, though no formal agreements have been executed and no zoning applications have been filed.

Matthew Wade

Shelby County Attorney & Entrepreneur

Wade has been involved in several land and development matters across the region and is described by associates as well-positioned to navigate the local regulatory and community landscape.

"My client is very open to the conversation… but we're taking a measured approach to make sure this aligns with both the property and the community."

— Matthew Wade, Shelby County Attorney & Entrepreneur

"At this stage, it's about understanding the full picture and making sure every detail is handled the right way before anything moves forward."

— Matthew Wade

Brand Speculation

While no official branding has been confirmed, early discussion has led to comparisons such as "Disney Farms," "Universal Farms," "Six Flags Farms," and "Dollywood Farms." No formal affiliations have been confirmed by the investment group, and representatives have declined to comment on the matter of branding at this stage of planning.

Traffic & Access

Questions about traffic impact on the I-64 / I-71 corridor and surrounding county roads have surfaced in early community discussions. The interchange at Shelbyville Road and the existing farm access routes were cited by some observers as potential pressure points during peak visitation periods. However, sources close to the investment group indicate that traffic engineering and site access planning have been a priority from the earliest stages of the concept — not an afterthought. The group is said to have retained consultants with experience in large-venue traffic management, and preliminary modeling has been conducted for both weekday and peak-weekend scenarios. Representatives have expressed confidence that the site's acreage and multiple access corridors provide sufficient flexibility to design a circulation plan that avoids material impact on surrounding roads.

Development Approach

The group has outlined a phased rollout strategy with a pilot-first approach. Early projections place the total development investment upwards of $85 million, encompassing infrastructure, attraction construction, hospitality facilities, and phased site preparation across the 4,430-acre footprint. The group has stated that community feedback will be treated as a substantive part of the planning process rather than a procedural formality.