Have read with interest the last couple of days of comments....some pros and some cons re what they want to do with the HH CC property. It must be kept in mind.....that the majority of people purchased in the Villages....for its' amenities and life style....which did not include apartments. And as a reminder...the developer in writing...noted all country club property with their restaurants...pools...tennis facilities...and so on would be available for a lifetime for property owners in The Villages. That written commitment now may be broken; and as a result... possibly hundreds of homes around HH CC will lose tangible value. Several of those who will not be directly effected.....seem to have little sympathy for those who will be.
Sales brochures ( The Villages...Our Hometown) that I have from 2004 for instance....tout Katie Belles as a "resident only" restaurant for lifetime enjoyment...note the variety of restaurants around the square...and " Have a cozy dinner at one of our Country Clubs. Each features a distinctive menu and ambiance from fine gourmet dining to Caribbean island fare". Well it looks like the ambiance at HH CC .... will be replaced....and the restaurants around the square will possibly become apartments, as a lot of owners are becoming victims of the covid-19 problem. (With "tongue in cheek"... one wonders that if the developer is financially hurting that bad due to the troubles restaurant owners have... and the Sharon is closed due to the covid-19 and generating no income....maybe the Sharon Theater should be converted into an "assisted Living" complex to help the developer meet his financial goals....may make about as much sense as the conversion of the HH CC).
One wonders why the developer will not maintain what was promised...in writing.
Going forward...why not be a little more creative. Why not take a parcel of The Villages expansion properties.....ad create a larger apartment complex placed appropriately and blending the complex into the geographic area......with assisted living included. Then gear social amenities and activities appropriately.....putt putt golf...larger centralized social center...bocce ball...on line or phone shopping....maybe even a small executive course...etc.. It would seem to make more sense. Residents would have more in common...activities would be more appropriate...and it could be a very special place...like no other........just as The Villages was once touted.
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