Buena Vista to Hwy 44

[Chopper]

The new extension of Buena Vista from Hwy 466A to Hwy 44 is now open. I drove over it this morning. It is 2.5 miles long with six roundabouts and three golf car tunnels. It is hard to believe that all of the empty space will be filled up with homes within the next few years.

You can't go down through this area on a golf cart. The golf cart trail is still barricaded at Hwy 466A.

[Shimpy]

GREAT, that's the best news I've heard all day.

[ajbrown]

Wish I were there! Sounds like a great spot for an evening golf cart ride....

[The Great Fumar]

Was told last year that the master plan was that MORSE will extend all the way to TURNPIKE.................Could be that the South section will be gorgeous when done...........

fumar ....:coolsmiley:

[golf2140]

Thanks for the update.

[Pats2010]

Thanks for the update.

Yep, thanks from me, too.

[jblum8156]

I believe that Hemingway will eventually be the center of TV.

[logdog]

Is there anything out there on 44? Dining, shopping, etc.

[Lou Card]

I believe that Hemingway will eventually be the center of TV.

Or maybe Duval will be the center.

[l2ridehd]

If you start at the most Northern point in TV and look at the homes, the designs, the cart paths, the town square, the shopping, the golf, the Villages layouts, dining, almost anything, then move South a mile and check all those again, keep doing that until you get to 466a. You have to conclude that the more they TV grow the more they understand the requirements and seem to continuously improve. That would suggest that South of 466a will be really nice.

[jblum8156]

To Logdog who asked what's on 44: There is a large antiques Mall called Traditions, with a rather nice restaurant on the upper floor. And several small fast food places. And a small strip mall. That's about it. I expect there will be more to come.

[Bogie Shooter]

To Logdog who asked what's on 44: There is a large antiques Mall called Traditions, with a rather nice restaurant on the upper floor. And several small fast food places. And a small strip mall. That's about it. I expect there will be more to come.
Thats west of 301. Where BV meets CR44 if you turn right there is a popular resturant called The Specled Butter Bean, that just opened this summer. Right near the restaurant is a large farm store and a party supply store in another building.
There also are a lot of signs offering commercial real estate.

[carm310]

Exciting times! Looking forward to seeing it in a week!

[Bosoxfan]

Very cool.Can't wait to see it all coming together.We'll be back in mid September

[Shimpy]

Looking forward to riding it on my motorcycle Sunday AM on way to Lake Placid to meet up with friends for lunch. This will allow me to miss the construction on 466A and to join 301 just north of the turnpike where I'll be getting on.

[lefty]

Is there anything out there on 44? Dining, shopping, etc.

Not much yet, but it will come. There is a nice little restaurant there, The Specled Butterbean. It is a buffet and serves up what I call "Southern Comfort Food". Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, mac and chesse and some of the best homemade fruit cobblers you will find anywhere. If you are looking for a nice place witrh good people and pretty good food, this is it. If you are looking for gourmet food, don't go there.:wave:

[The Great Fumar]

Not much yet, but it will come. There is a nice little restaurant there, The Specled Butterbean. It is a buffet and serves up what I call "Southern Comfort Food". Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, mac and chesse and some of the best homemade fruit cobblers you will find anywhere. If you are looking for a nice place witrh good people and pretty good food, this is it. If you are looking for gourmet food, don't go there.:wave:

thanks Lefty
Sounds like my kind of place .....:icon_hungry:

fumar

[golf2140]

Continental Country Club is just east of the intersection. The have adds in the Daily Sun. Have been there a couple of times, nice change of pace.

[Army Guy]

The actual "dead-center" of TV composed of all the land they presently own from 42 to 44 is Bonita.

Yes, the Turnpike exit for Morse has been approved by the state and the funding is set also. That was always part of the grand plan of TV, direct Turnpike access.

Army Guy

[ssmith]

At one time heard that Largo would be the center...hmmm maybe that was a bit ago

[mulligan]

I heard the center of TV is wherever fumar happens to be at the moment.

[elevatorman]

Don't go by Golf Cart. The trail is blocked at 466A. :rant-rave::rant-rave:

[Tweety Bird]

Not much yet, but it will come. There is a nice little restaurant there, The Specled Butterbean. It is a buffet and serves up what I call "Southern Comfort Food". Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, mac and chesse and some of the best homemade fruit cobblers you will find anywhere. If you are looking for a nice place witrh good people and pretty good food, this is it. If you are looking for gourmet food, don't go there.:wave:

YES! The husband and I went to Speckled Butterbean and it is exactly what you say. "Southern Comfort Food" with a farmhouse motif. Roosters and hens and red and white checkered placemats. Try to remove them. Funny! $8.25 for the buffet. Drinks are extra. Not a place for dieters unless you only fill up at the salad bar. Macaroni and cheese brings me back to my childhood. mmmmmm

[Ooper]

Is there anything out there on 44? Dining, shopping, etc.

The Speckled Butterbean is on Rt. 44 right across from the entrance to The Villages at Buena Vista. Can't get to it by cart however, it is across the street from The Villages property. It is like Cracker Barrel but buffet style.

[KathieI]

Continental Country Club is just east of the intersection. The have adds in the Daily Sun. Have been there a couple of times, nice change of pace.

Oh, is that what its called? I thought it was the Wildwood Country Club. They had a 4th of July party there and it was very nice. Does anyone know where the new town square will be in proximity to the Cont. CC???? I'm lost...

[LittleDog]

Oh, is that what its called? I thought it was the Wildwood Country Club. They had a 4th of July party there and it was very nice. Does anyone know where the new town square will be in proximity to the Cont. CC???? I'm lost...

In the paper this morning they had the location of the town square off Buena Vista between 44A and 44

John

[Taj44]

I believe that Hemingway will eventually be the center of TV.

If you look at the map on the VCCDD website, it appears the center of the Villages will be Mallory/Bonita area. Hemingway is further south.

[dgammon6]

We just came from Buena Vista, South of 466A. Looks like someone moved part of the barracade and carts were going through. Probably not a good idea, nothing to see.

[BlueHeronFan]

If you look at the map on the VCCDD website, it appears the center of the Villages will be Mallory/Bonita area. Hemingway is further south.

I was told once that the Frame House on stilts right on Bonita Blvd is actually the center mark. Looks like it on the map too.

[jblum8156]

The frame house may be the center now, but we will soon have 11,000 more homes south of 466A. Also expanding west of Buena Vista.

[Russ_Boston]

The frame house may be the center now, but we will soon have 11,000 more homes south of 466A. Also expanding west of Buena Vista.

Not the center right now. If fact if no building went on below 466A it would be very south. But it will be center when TV expands to 44.

[Pturner]

Just drove the new section. Word's definitely out. Many Villagers in cars and carts checking it out. There was a large gathering of carts at 44a, the end of where carts can go. Seems to be a lot of excitement about the expansion.

Wonder what the cows down there think about the further encroachment. They were gathered near the road watching all the cars and carts!

[pooh]

Just drove the new section. Word's definitely out. Many Villagers in cars and carts checking it out. There was a large gathering of carts at 44a, the end of where carts can go. Seems to be a lot of excitement about the expansion.

Wonder what the cows down there think about the further encroachment. They were gathered near the road watching all the cars and carts!

We probably passed each other. :wave: Mike and I just drove the new street a little while ago, also. Indeed, lots of Villagers checking out the area. Good thing there are so many roundabouts or Buena Vista might be a speedway from 44 to 466A!

[JohnN]

here's a link to the far south end commercial area map

http://www.thevillagescommercialproperty.com/prop-Antrim%20Dells.asp

[Pturner]

We probably passed each other. :wave: Mike and I just drove the new street a little while ago, also. Indeed, lots of Villagers checking out the area. Good thing there are so many roundabouts or Buena Vista might be a speedway from 44 to 466A!

Darn, if I had known you where there, I'd have stopped, gotten out the car and given you a big hug!

Speaking of the roundabouts, I was wondering if they would make the one lane in the new section, as many people suggest. They didn't. They do have a couple of roundabout bypasses.

[Pturner]

here's a link to the far south end commercial area map

http://www.thevillagescommercialproperty.com/prop-Antrim%20Dells.asp


They describe the commercial area as a "power center". What does that mean?

[JohnN]

Power center is a shopping center, don't know why they used that term, but it's supposed to have some "major" tenants and attract traffic from Wildwood, Leesburg, etc. - to my knowledge.

[Ooper]

Brownwood, the new town square, is being built at the end of Buena Vista Blvd. between Rt. 44 and 44A as shown in this link. The Continental Country Club is a few miles East of this area on Rt.44.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=28.844598,-82.016072&spn=0.011804,0.017703&t=h&z=16

[Bogie Shooter]

Just drove the new section. Word's definitely out. Many Villagers in cars and carts checking it out. There was a large gathering of carts at 44a, the end of where carts can go. Seems to be a lot of excitement about the expansion.

Wonder what the cows down there think about the further encroachment. They were gathered near the road watching all the cars and carts!

Eat more chicken!

[chuckinca]

Brownwood, the new town square, is being built at the end of Buena Vista Blvd. between Rt. 44 and 44A as shown in this link. The Continental Country Club is a few miles East of this area on Rt.44.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=28.844598,-82.016072&spn=0.011804,0.017703&t=h&z=16


And so is central Leesburg!


.

[Taj44]

Not the center right now. If fact if no building went on below 466A it would be very south. But it will be center when TV expands to 44.

Actually, a better question might be "is a particular section of the Villages central to the activities you want to participate it, or central to the services you will use."

Being physically the "most" central in The Villages is meaningless if you're a golfer on championship golf courses, and the majority of those are north of your location. Some people may have a preference of going to the Square, such as Sumter Landing, so being in a more southern located neighborhood may give one a longer drive, depending on how close you are to Brownwood, which may not be as desireable.

It remains to be seen how the area south of 466A will be developed, how many golf courses, etc. At this point in time, I only see them building the one championship golf course on 466A. It will be a few years before it is mature enough to be a good course, and more years before any additional courses south of 466A will be mature enough to be enjoyable/playable, if indeed any additional championship courses are even built. If you're an Executive course golfer, that obviously wouldn't be an issue for you.

[Ooper]

And so is central Leesburg!


.

??? A previous poster asked where the CCC was in relation to Brownwood, I was just showing that relationship!

[Indy-Guy]

As you drive down Buena Vista to SR 44 if you turn right on 44 I suggest that you stop at Sparr Farm and Building Supply Store. It is a large Hardware and Farm store. Great place for you pet owners to purchase pet supplies. Sparr is located next to The Speckled Butterbean Resturant.

Below is a link to the Sparr website that shows what they sell there.


http://www.sparrbuilding.com/products.html

[graciegirl]

We drove it yesterday at 7:00 A.M. as we left Paradise. It will be easy for residents to get to I 75 that way and easier for guests to find TV if they don't have a GPS. Just exit at 44. Also attractive to the chains like Macys etc, I would think. We have almost every desirable retail outlet, now this will really do the trick.

I see some attractive view sites there for future villagers who haven't even discovered this place. What fun for them. I know that some folks like it the way it is, some say it is too big, but I think that the big medical money will find it's way here. I envision a world class geriatric center, since we have such a large population block. Oh the discoveries they will make and soon we will all be living until we are 200. (Ooops... Sorry, I get carried away)

Anyway, I am pleased. More places for new friends to live.:wave:

[LittleDog]

I was told once that the Frame House on stilts right on Bonita Blvd is actually the center mark. Looks like it on the map too.

When we purchased our house in 2005 we were told that that house was the center of the Villages. However I live near Cane Garden golf course and have to go to Mulberry for band rehearsal and thats about 9 miles by car down Buena Vista. However, going on Buena Vista to 44 it's only about 4 miles. That being the case I can't see how that historic house is the center of the Villages.

John

[jblum8156]

Looks like two trailer parks adjacent to the new Continental CC

[EdV]

Here is a link to The Sentinel�s article about the new turnpike exit for TV:

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2009-12-08/news/0912070041_1_interchange-turnpike-spokeswoman-christa-deason-turnpike-exit (http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2009-12-08/news/0912070041_1_interchange-turnpike-spokeswoman-christa-deason-turnpike-exit)

As noted, it will be a partial exit that only allows traffic to/from the southeast (Orlando) area. The exit will be at County Road 468 which currently extends north and terminates at 44. But TV owns all the land between there and 466A where Morse Blvd. currently terminates, so it�s obvious that sometime in the future, that turnpike exit will take you right to Morse Blvd and up through TV.

[getdul981]

We drove it yesterday at 7:00 A.M. as we left Paradise. It will be easy for residents to get to I 75 that way and easier for guests to find TV if they don't have a GPS. Just exit at 44. Also attractive to the chains like Macys etc, I would think. We have almost every desirable retail outlet, now this will really do the trick.

I see some attractive view sites there for future villagers who haven't even discovered this place. What fun for them. I know that some folks like it the way it is, some say it is too big, but I think that the big medical money will find it's way here. I envision a world class geriatric center, since we have such a large population block. Oh the discoveries they will make and soon we will all be living until we are 200. (Ooops... Sorry, I get carried away)

Anyway, I am pleased. More places for new friends to live.:wave:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez24yjqRGLs

[Russ_Boston]

Thanks for the link. Noticed that it is a sun-pass only exit. So it won't help your guests coming from the airport.

Looks like it is 4.5 miles short of going all the way to 301 exit. Would think that if you live north of 466, or maybe even the northern part of LSL area, you'd still be better the other way since the roads support more speed than going all the way up BV or Morse from 44.

[pooh]

Darn, if I had known you where there, I'd have stopped, gotten out the car and given you a big hug!

Speaking of the roundabouts, I was wondering if they would make the one lane in the new section, as many people suggest. They didn't. They do have a couple of roundabout bypasses.

I'd have done the same thing....but for now, (((HUGS))).

Actually, I don't think the roundabouts can be one lane....the housing density doesn't allow it. In order to get the high density building allowed, the roundabouts had to be two lanes...at least that's what we were told when we moved here. If I remember correctly, and I could be mistaken, I believe we were also told the same by the Sheriff's Dept. when our neighborhood club had a presentation concerning roundabouts.

[Ooper]

Another reason why roundabouts cannot be 1 lane is because larger trucks, such as moving vans, fire trucks or trucks with trailers, usually take up 2 lanes due to the rear of the truck or trailer trailing inside the front of the vehicle.

[EdV]

Big rigs can use single lane roundabouts if it is constructed with a truck apron, as described here:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/safety/roundabouts/ (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/safety/roundabouts/)

[EdV]

Thanks for the link. Noticed that it is a sun-pass only exit. So it won't help your guests coming from the airport.

Looks like it is 4.5 miles short of going all the way to 301 exit. Would think that if you live north of 466, or maybe even the northern part of LSL area, you'd still be better the other way since the roads support more speed than going all the way up BV or Morse from 44.

In most cases, if you live south of 466, it will be pretty much a wash in terms of time, taking either route. But in that case, I�d much rather be driving through TV if I can avoid the downtown commercial area of Wildwood.

[billethkid]

to 44. A traffic light at 466 and Buena Vista and NOTHING either side of Buena Vista to the Sunset traffic circle.

From then to now has been 5 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course the economy wasn't in a shambles during those years like it is now.

btk

[handieman]

Is there anything out there on 44? Dining, shopping, etc.

You can buy a Chevrolet!
:wave:
Handie

[Ooper]

Big rigs can use single lane roundabouts if it is constructed with a truck apron, as described here:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/safety/roundabouts/ (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/safety/roundabouts/)

It is still an additional lane that drivers will take advantage of if they are in a hurry. There is nothing wrong with our roundabouts if people just follow the proper navigation of them as posted time and time again in these posts!

[cashman]

It is still an additional lane that drivers will take advantage of if they are in a hurry. There is nothing wrong with our roundabouts if people just follow the proper navigation of them as posted time and time again in these posts!

They don't and they won't.

[Shimpy]

After driving Buena Vista to 44 and knowing my usual travels on a golf cart take me as far north as Spanish Springs, (often) and eventually as far south as Brownwood while living in Buttonwood, I am glad I decieded to buy a GAS golf cart. This place is like the Pondorosa.

[Taj44]

When we purchased our house in 2005 we were told that that house was the center of the Villages. However I live near Cane Garden golf course and have to go to Mulberry for band rehearsal and thats about 9 miles by car down Buena Vista. However, going on Buena Vista to 44 it's only about 4 miles. That being the case I can't see how that historic house is the center of the Villages.

John
Exactly! I think the salespeople use that as a sales tactic. By looking at the map, or measuring in your golf cart as you did, its fairly easy to see where the center of the Villages will be, and its not Hemingway. Anyways, as mentioned previously, I think its rather irrelevant. What's more important is whether one's home is close to the activities and facilities you use on a regular basis.

[laryb]

For me, the center of TV is irrelevent. I'm betting that for me and most people on TOTV, TV is the center of the universe!!:thumbup:

[villages07]

Was going to explore the new area by golf cart this afternoon, but, alas, there is a barricade in the cart path just south of the BV/Rt 466 light. Guess golf carts aren't allowed down there yet.

[spk7951]

Was going to explore the new area by golf cart this afternoon, but, alas, there is a barricade in the cart path just south of the BV/Rt 466 light. Guess golf carts aren't allowed down there yet.

Yes there is a barricade on the cart path but the two trips we have made down the new Buena Vista section we have seen quite a few golf carts on the cart path all the way down to 44A.