New Town Square

[Taj44]

I heard recently that the developer is going to be selling the property that the Brownwood town square was to be located on. New plans were to be for a mall to be built. Anyone else hear anything about this?

[BogeyBoy]

We really will have a Disney for Adults - here are some of the attractions:

Seniors of the Caribbean

Bumper Golf Carts

Mind Loss Toss

It's An Old World Afterall

Old Fella's Castle

Turn Signal Mania

Knee Sock Hop

Slow Your Pace Mountain

[Bogie Shooter]

I heard recently that the developer is going to be selling the property that the Brownwood town square was to be located on. New plans were to be for a mall to be built. Anyone else hear anything about this?

You heard.....where?

[jrjr729]

If you check out thevillagescommercial property.com you will discover that Brownwood is divided into two sections. Paddock Square is one and presumably the town square. The other is called Antrim Dell. Antrim Dell might be where the mall is located that you heard about. I have not heard anything about selling off the property but in this economy who knows.

[Taj44]

If you check out thevillagescommercial property.com you will discover that Brownwood is divided into two sections. Paddock Square is one and presumably the town square. The other is called Antrim Dell. Antrim Dell might be where the mall is located that you heard about. I have not heard anything about selling off the property but in this economy who knows.

Thanks for the info. I heard about this from a local real estate person, so tend to give it a little more credence than the usual rumors, but who knows. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[chuckster]

I guess we'll have to wait and see.[/QUOTE]

Exactly...........:undecided:

[downeaster]

Thanks for the info. I heard about this from a local real estate person, so tend to give it a little more credence than the usual rumors, but who knows. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

I am retired from the real estate business and I must confess, a real estate office is a big rumor mill. I am not saying the local real estate person you refer to is spreading a rumor but, in general, they are no different than the general population.

[Whalen]

The latest rumour I heard was that Brownwood was on hold until the faulty pumpimg stations are fixed.:faint:

[k2at]

We are really in need of that 3rd town square as the two existing squares are really taxed in Jan, Feb. and March. Try finding a place to even stand when Rocky and the Rollers are performing. I love their music but dislike the sardine feeling I get when I go down to the town square.

[golf2140]

The third townsquare is on a slow pace because of the downturn of housing starts. Once The Villages announces that something will be built, they complete it

[Bogie Shooter]

We are really in need of that 3rd town square as the two existing squares are really taxed in Jan, Feb. and March. Try finding a place to even stand when Rocky and the Rollers are performing. I love their music but dislike the sardine feeling I get when I go down to the town square. Does this mean there will be a Rocky and the Rollers II, seems like that is the only way to eliminate the crowd. Why would a third town square eliminate the crowd at SS, for these performers?

[k2at]

The intent of my posting was to suggest that the more options available in the evening, the less the crowd will be at any one area. By having 50's music at another square (to be built) when Rocky et al are performing at Sumter or Spanish Springs might encourage people who live close to the other squares not to go where it will most likely be very crowded.

In the simplest terms possible, if 5 people want to be entertained and there is only one option, then the 5 will all go to the same place. If there are 5 options it is possible they could go to any of the five and then there would only be 1 at each location.

In any event, we all look forward to the 3rd town square.

[twynsmom]

The intent of my posting was to suggest that the more options available in the evening, the less the crowd will be at any one area. By having 50's music at another square (to be built) when Rocky et al are performing at Sumter or Spanish Springs might encourage people who live close to the other squares not to go where it will most likely be very crowded.

In the simplest terms possible, if 5 people want to be entertained and there is only one option, then the 5 will all go to the same place. If there are 5 options it is possible they could go to any of the five and then there would only be 1 at each location.

In any event, we all look forward to the 3rd town square.

:agree::beer3:

[Muncle]

If the developer were to go gangbusters on Brownwood and complete it within one year, every business in there would be bankrupt within two. A town square, especially that far south, needs a town. Until District 8 is completed and home construction starts south of 466A, the "Town Square" will remain unbuilt. However, County Administrative Offices and Library and the new hospital will start construction in that area pretty soon. Additionally, there is likely some non-Villages related commercial construction that may well be built. But Rocky ain't playing there.



`

[champion6]

However, County Administrative Offices and Library and the new hospital will start construction in that area pretty soon.
New hospital? I don't think I've heard about this. Can you provide more details?

[chuckinca]

The latest rumour I heard was that Brownwood was on hold until the faulty pumpimg stations are fixed.:faint:


Being in the pump station building biz for many years, I can tell you that there isn't a problem that can't be fixed with money. The more money the faster the fix.

No way Brownwood is on hold because of some pump stations.


.

[billethkid]

support by the masses. The squares are not timed based on the 2-3 hours "some" nights are more favored than others.
The more the merrier.
I think some are spoiled by TV eager development these past years.
You have heard the saying build it and they will come. That was the last few years. That has been modified to...when they come we will start building it....again. At least in TV....THEY DO!!!

btk

[spk7951]

New hospital? I don't think I've heard about this. Can you provide more details?


I could not find a link to share with you but I do remember maybe late last year an announcement was made that TVRMC would be building near Brownwood. Not sure how big of a facility it will be.

[BogeyBoy]

New hospital? I don't think I've heard about this. Can you provide more details?

There was a recent article in the Daily Sun that mentions Brownwood.

http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/articles/2009/06/01/news/news02.txt

[BobKat1]

With the current weak economy, many retailers are hesitant to commit to new developments. Consequently the developers are also hesitant to go ahead with new projects without commitments from key retailers. Kind of a catch 22 that's slowing down growth.

With the growth in TV I would think Brownwood might start moving ahead as soon as home building and retail development pick up. Probably sooner than in other areas around the country. Just IMO of course.

[TrudyM]

With the current weak economy, many retailers are hesitant to commit to new developments. Consequently the developers are also hesitant to go ahead with new projects without commitments from key retailers. Kind of a catch 22 that's slowing down growth.

With the growth in TV I would think Brownwood might start moving ahead as soon as home building and retail development pick up. Probably sooner than in other areas around the country. Just IMO of course.

The ROI (return on investment) has been awful for over 4 years on a national average for big box retailers. Some small retailers (like Tommy Bahama) that fit a nitche audience have done alright but others (like Eddie Beauer) have had it rough. As a member of the Retail executive layed off group, I can tell you that capital outlays for new stores are at low and none since 2007. Christmas 07 didn't make numbers and 08 was worse. I don't have access to details anymore but I would bet finding tenants for a new center that is not in a fully built area would be almost impossible unless the developer gave a two year % of gross only deal which new strip malls quite often do.

An aside whould you guys like to see a Tommy Bahama in TV?

[NJblue]

The placement for Brownwood puzzles me. Being at the far southwestern corner of TV means that it will not be able to capitalize on the population that will be already in place above 466A. As such, it wouldn't seem to have a critical mass of villagers for quite some time. It would seem to me to be better to place it closer to 466A so that it could take advantage of an existing population base north of 466A as it builds more housing around it to the south of 466A.

Also, since I assume that lots close to a town center can be sold at a premium, by placing Brownwood in a more central location would more than double the number of lots that can have that premium.

Perhaps the feeling is that by placing it closer to major highways it will attract more people from outside TV. That makes sense from a retail/restaurant perspective, but I'm not sure what it does for the "community" feel of TV.

[downeaster]

Perhaps the feeling is that by placing it closer to major highways it will attract more people from outside TV. That makes sense from a retail/restaurant perspective, but I'm not sure what it does for the "community" feel of TV.

I seem too remember reading somewhere there will be direct access to the turnpike. I think it mentioned Morse Blvd. extending to an interchange yet to be built. (This is not meant to start an unfounded rumor but maybe some one else has a better memory than mine).

Interesting you should mention "community" feel, NJblue. The same thought crossed my mind when Brownwood was first proposed. I feel the existing town squares are geared to residents with non residents welcome. Maybe Brownwood is an attempt to go more cosmopolitan.

Round trip to 466A in a golf cart is all my old bones can absorbed so I'll continue commuting to SS and LSL, in that order of preference. Maybe we will crank up the old gas guzzler and tool on down to Brownwood on the odd occasion.

[Ooper]

Having Brownwood built where it is planned will no doubt stimulate a lot of attendence from Wildwood residents as well as The Villages residents and turnpike travelers. I am sure this was a factor in its planned location.

[spk7951]

I seem too remember reading somewhere there will be direct access to the turnpike. I think it mentioned Morse Blvd. extending to an interchange yet to be built. (This is not meant to start an unfounded rumor but maybe some one else has a better memory than mine).



Yes, this was in the Daily Sun some time ago when they were talking about Brownwood. Apparently TV has received an OK from the State to have a new interchange built on the turnpike that will allow easy access to TV. Not sure but I do think the new road from that interchange will run into Morse Blvd.

[Muncle]

Yes, this was in the Daily Sun some time ago when they were talking about Brownwood. Apparently TV has received an OK from the State to have a new interchange built on the turnpike that will allow easy access to TV. Not sure but I do think the new road from that interchange will run into Morse Blvd.

From the FL turnpike people:

Proposed New Interchanges in Lake and Sumter Counties (Central Florida)

Locations for two new Turnpike SunPass©-only interchanges serving motorists in Central Florida have been identified.

The first interchange would be located in Lake County near milepost 279 (north of the existing Clermont/SR 50 interchange) and would serve the rapidly growing Minneola area.

The second interchange would be located in Sumter County near milepost 300 at CR 468 (south of the Wildwood/US 301 interchange), and would serve The Villages/Lady Lake region.

Florida's Turnpike Enterprise has no funding identified for either of these projects and all right-of-way and construction funding must be committed by private developers. Construction schedules for both projects are dependent on funding agreements that have not yet been developed; however, preliminary the engineering and environmental studies being conducted by the developers are underway or nearly complete. Because the projects would be funded by the developers, the interchanges are not included in the Turnpike’s five-year work program and no timeline for construction has been established.


This is several/many/a whole bunch of/copious years down the road, so to speak. I wouldn't be re-planning your route to the airport just yet.



`

[diskman]

Having Brownwood built where it is planned will no doubt stimulate a lot of attendence from Wildwood residents as well as The Villages residents and turnpike travelers. I am sure this was a factor in its planned location.

Thought I read something about a Seminole Casino being built in this area?:crap2::pepper2::beer3:

[Bogie Shooter]

Thought I read something about a Seminole Casino being built in this area?:crap2::pepper2::beer3:

And a Trump Tower!

[islandgal]

An aside would you guys like to see a Tommy Bahama in TV?

Trudy -

I would LOVE to see a Tommy Bahama clothing and furniture store here.
Their tropical furniture is so beautiful.

[Army Guy]

Me and wife would love to see a Tommy Bahama.

Army Guy

[NJblue]

This is several/many/a whole bunch of/copious years down the road, so to speak. I wouldn't be re-planning your route to the airport just yet.

Since this interchange would be developer funded. My guess is that it would either happen in the moderate future or not at all. Assuming that the developer's primary business model is to sell new houses, it wouldn't seem to make sense to spend many millions of dollars for an interchange unless he would have a fairly long period of time of new home sales where he could recoup his expenses through increased home sales.

Quite frankly, given the cost for such endeavors, I am skeptical that this interchange would ever be built - I just can't imagine the business case for it ever being positive. But, I certainly would welcome it.

[chuckinca]

Since this interchange would be developer funded. My guess is that it would either happen in the moderate future or not at all. Assuming that the developer's primary business model is to sell new houses, it wouldn't seem to make sense to spend many millions of dollars for an interchange unless he would have a fairly long period of time of new home sales where he could recoup his expenses through increased home sales.

Quite frankly, given the cost for such endeavors, I am skeptical that this interchange would ever be built - I just can't imagine the business case for it ever being positive. But, I certainly would welcome it.


In TV, infrastructure improvements are paid by the county and included in the Bonds which are paid by the buyers of the new homes. No cost to the developer.


.

[TrudyM]

Trudy -

I would LOVE to see a Tommy Bahama clothing and furniture store here.
Their tropical furniture is so beautiful.

Ok their corporate office is hear in Seattle and some of my friends at the Macys buying office went over there when we where laid off. I have pulled the statistics on TV and will forward it to them, who knows, they unlike most are still growing like gangbusters, which for a small company means 1 to two stores a year.

[SABRMnLgs]

My wife and I went to Sarasota to meet with another couple where the wife was a long time schoolmate of my wife's.

We were going to celebrate at Tommy Bahamas for supper. After we looked at the prices listed we walked out. This was some time back so I can't quote numbers by memory but I do remember they were very exorbitant.

[BobKat1]

Tommy's prices are quite high, but IMO their offerings are nice.

Around here (probably different in TV) alot of TB's products are given as gifts and for special occasions and not too much for day to day needs.

If the rent isn't too high they might do well in one of the town centers.

[NJblue]

In TV, infrastructure improvements are paid by the county and included in the Bonds which are paid by the buyers of the new homes. No cost to the developer.


.

I hear you, but when you step back a bit, all costs are ultimately borne by the home buyer. If the developer paid for the interchange out of his own pocket he would pass the cost on to the buyer. If he used bonds, he still passes the cost off to the buyer. Hence, in both cases the costs of the interchange needs to make sense from a business case perspective - i.e. the more the buyer has to pay, the less likely he is going to buy unless the benefit of the interchange outweighs the costs.

[Bogie Shooter]

I hear you, but when you step back a bit, all costs are ultimately borne by the home buyer. If the developer paid for the interchange out of his own pocket he would pass the cost on to the buyer. If he used bonds, he still passes the cost off to the buyer. Hence, in both cases the costs of the interchange needs to make sense from a business case perspective - i.e. the more the buyer has to pay, the less likely he is going to buy unless the benefit of the interchange outweighs the costs.

Somewhere I remember reading that the interchange cost was in place of impact fees. Can not find the source of that information.

[Jeff Bieberfeld]

My wife and I went to Sarasota to meet with another couple where the wife was a long time schoolmate of my wife's.

We were going to celebrate at Tommy Bahamas for supper. After we looked at the prices listed we walked out. This was some time back so I can't quote numbers by memory but I do remember they were very exorbitant.

I thought that Tommy Bahama was a clothing operation. Bahama Breeze is a restaurant. Unless you like to chow down on shirts and trousers.
:a20:

[Muncle]

I thought that Tommy Bahama was a clothing operation. Bahama Breeze is a restaurant. Unless you like to chow down on shirts and trousers.
:a20:

While you're on the floor, you might want to check out the menus at these Tommy Bahama restaurants. I checked, but couldn't find shirts or trousers on any of them.

http://www.tommybahama.com/TBG/Cafes.jsp?gclid=CMDZrsC66JsCFRJ4xgodWHNh8Q




`

[islandgal]

I thought that Tommy Bahama was a clothing operation. Bahama Breeze is a restaurant. Unless you like to chow down on shirts and trousers.
:a20:
Jeff -
Here are some photos of the furniture - the pictures don't show well the beautiful woods and details of the items.
I must admit it is out of my price range but it is really good looking and "islandy"!

http://www.lexington.com/brands/listing.cfm/brand/Tommy-Bahama-Home/collection/Tommy-Bahama-Original

Nearby stores listed: http://www.lexington.com/store-finder/results.cfm

[katezbox]

There is a Tommy Bahama store in Myrtle Beach - not far from us in NMB. You are all partially right.


It has island-y clothes for both men and women.

It has a restaurant and bar - sometimes with Jimmy Buff-alikes playing some tunes.

It has some home accessories. Most of the furniture (manufactured for TB by Lexington) is sold at furniture stores, like Southern Lifestyles.


The prices are high - but the clothing seems to be well made (I own one item so don't think I can make a judgment from that). The food is as you would expect from a restaurant chain - pre-packaged from Sysco or a similar company. And NOT inexpensive...

[Jeff Bieberfeld]

While you're on the floor, you might want to check out the menus at these Tommy Bahama restaurants. I checked, but couldn't find shirts or trousers on any of them.

http://www.tommybahama.com/TBG/Cafes.jsp?gclid=CMDZrsC66JsCFRJ4xgodWHNh8Q




`

my mistake.
sorry
:jester:

[kofficer]

I was told this weekend, while visiting, by two different sales persons, that the new Town Square would be in full swing sometime in 2011.

Richard and Lee

[Bogie Shooter]

I was told this weekend, while visiting, by two different sales persons, that the new Town Square would be in full swing sometime in 2011.

Richard and Lee

That's probably sales pitch talk.

[BogeyBoy]

I was told this weekend, while visiting, by two different sales persons, that the new Town Square would be in full swing sometime in 2011.

Richard and Lee

Don't always believe a sales rep - when I first looked at places here I was told TV would be completely built out by 2010.

[billethkid]

does what it has said or has had planned.

They are still building golf courses and recreation centers where no one has bought or builrt yet.

In the current economic climate it is no surprise that any ventures that involve the expense of builiding a substantial project that when complete is very dependent on the ability to lease out the massive amount of floor space for retail and other businesses.

It has been apparent that Spanish Springs is and has been having difficulty retaing the seried occupancy of space there. Lake Sumter Landing is still not fully leased out. There is a substantial amount of retail/business square footage sitting empty in the 466-A shopping centers.

There is no doubt that there is a certain build/close rate TV expects which translates into increasing population and increasing need for varying facilities offered in a town square setting. That will come at some point and TV activity will pick up.

At this point it must be TV do not need to show a 3rd town square to make a sale.

During to go-go days of just a few years ago the concept of build it and they will come was a no brainer. Until today's uncertain economy starts to get to the magic level of activity....they will build it.

My 2 cents.

btk

[Bubbalarry]

I don't see them starting anything until 90%+ is sold out on properties North of 466A. That may also include commercial developement.

Why would they with the housing market the way it is? Perhaps in 2 years maybe.

[Taj44]

In the past, if the Villages said they'd do something, we knew it would happen. With all the uncertainty due to the economy and more importantly the IRS bond issue, I'm not convinced we'll get a third town square. If it does happen, 2011 certainly is not cast in concrete. As someone else said, it is most likely just sales pitch.

[SALYBOW]

http://www.thevillagescommercialproperty.com/images/download/Brownwood%20Flyer.pdf

Here is a URL that shows the architectural projection of Brownwood Paddock Square that I found online. It includes stats on TV.

[graciegirl]

On our way back to Ohio we prowled around there, as close as you can get and it looks like the streets and tunnels are in, at least in some areas near Brownwood Paddock. (We thought they were working at the site of Brownwood Paddock itself, but were guessing really.

They recently have called Brownwood, Brownwood Paddock and I was guessing it would be horsey, kind of like Lexington, Kentucky or maybe English or Polo.... but I was wrong.

I enjoyed that link SalyBow and reading that the style will be old Florida.

I love watching those geniuses at work.:popcorn: