Construction Update Video 9-6-20

[Goldwingnut]

Here’s the latest update on the construction happenings in The Villages. This was all shot yesterday afternoon and is about as up to date as I can get. The video includes footage of the work on all three bridges, Magnolia Plaza, the villages of Chitty Chatty, Bradford, Hawkins, Richmond, St. Catherine, Carson Hammock, Hammock at Fenney, and St. Johns as well as other areas. There is also information included about the extension of Buena Vista Blvd. down to Meggison Rd.
The Villages 9-6-2020 Construction Update - YouTube (https://youtu.be/6jir4hsobDQ)
I hope you enjoy the video and be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and turn on the Notifications so you’ll know as soon as new videos are published.

[Kenswing]

Always look forward to your videos. Would love to see St. Catherine in more detail when things start moving more in that direction.

[Goldwingnut]

Always look forward to your videos. Would love to see St. Catherine in more detail when things start moving more in that direction.

Give it another month or so and lots of things will be happening there.

[MSchad]

As always an excellent video. Glad to hear about another golfing venue of some kind between Deluna and Brownwood.

[stings]

Great update. Thank you. What do you think is the timeline for completion of Sawgrass square/recreation area?

[Goldwingnut]

Great update. Thank you. What do you think is the timeline for completion of Sawgrass square/recreation area?

Well, the building is being built now and things around it are going very quickly. Depending on the golf course progress I's say about a year from now it would be open. By new year we should see the golf course fully underway, by mid-spring the fairways and greens growing. They'll likely give the course the full summer to become established and healthy and ready for play.
If I had to look into a crystal ball, I would see a really big celebration as Sawgrass and the golf course open as one event around Labor Day at the latest next year. Just a guess.

[davem4616]

thank you...any word on when the Chitty Chatty bridge will open?

[Goldwingnut]

thank you...any word on when the Chitty Chatty bridge will open?

Sorry, I know nothing more than anyone else at this point, sometime later this month. Still lots of work going on on the bridge ramps.

[Jewelz]

As always, THANK YOU for your great updates!

[jacksonbrown]

As a walker, runner and cyclist, I am confused about the walkways stopping at the top of the approaches.

And with the width of the bridges barely wide enough to accommodate two carts, It seems to me that little has been done to accommodate us pedestrians and cyclists.

[Goldwingnut]

Great update. Thank you. What do you think is the timeline for completion of Sawgrass square/recreation area?

Nothing has been put out yet so anything would be either an educated guess or just pure speculation.
Work has started on the building for Sawgrass, using Everglades as a benchmark I would say it will be about 9 months before it open. Adding in the golfing functions and the time to build, green, and establish the Southern Oaks golf course would also likely be a consideration.
It would not be a stretch to see an opening celebration of these areas on Memorial Day 2021.
Obviously, there are a lot of other factors to consider and the developer only shares what is absolutely necessary until they are ready to share all.

After looking at the site for Sawgrass Grove I would expect an entertainment venue somewhere between a super-sized Edna's and a downsized town square, with minimal shopping and a few eateries. The "square" of sorts will be south of Monarch Grove in the areas they announced a month ago, there I think we will see many new and special things happening.

[Goldwingnut]

As a walker, runner and cyclist, I am confused about the walkways stopping at the top of the approaches.

And with the width of the bridges barely wide enough to accommodate two carts, It seems to me that little has been done to accommodate us pedestrians and cyclists.

The new bridges are about 20 ft wide, the MMPs in TV are typically 16 ft wide, the bridge over 27/441 and over Sumter lake is only 10 ft wide.
I don't understand the ramps either, but they are very good at what they do and learn from their mistakes and rarely repeat them. Let's see what the final products look like when they open the first bridge at Chitty Chatty before passing judgement.

[Rwirish]

Thanks for doing this.

The amount of expansion is concerning. So many of the areas are unimpressive (imo) being so near the Turnpike ( drove thru several areas this past weekend). The other concern is the lack of golf courses ( at least announced golf courses ) relative to the number of roof tops.

[MandoMan]

Here’s the latest update on the construction happenings in The Villages. This was all shot yesterday afternoon and is about as up to date as I can get. The video includes footage of the work on all three bridges, Magnolia Plaza, the villages of Chitty Chatty, Bradford, Hawkins, Richmond, St. Catherine, Carson Hammock, Hammock at Fenney, and St. Johns as well as other areas. There is also information included about the extension of Buena Vista Blvd. down to Meggison Rd.
The Villages 9-6-2020 Construction Update - YouTube (https://youtu.be/6jir4hsobDQ)
I hope you enjoy the video and be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and turn on the Notifications so you’ll know as soon as new videos are published.

Thanks so much for another delightful video. I always enjoy your work.

I had to grin at your use of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture as the background music. It tells the story, in music, of the suffering and sacrifice of the Russian people under attack by Napoleon’s French troops, followed by Napoleon’s overwhelming defeat, losing 90% of his troops. Cannon fire is replaced by jubilant ringing of church bells. (As I recall, it’s said that Tchaikovsky originally asked that the bells be rung by the angels of heaven, but that may be a myth.) I’ve loved this piece since the seventies, and I always find the ending cathartic because I enter into the story and imagine the relief and joy of the Russians who survived.

Of course, I’m sure that you didn’t choose the music to make a statement or bring a catharsis, but still, I enjoyed it.

[Goldwingnut]

Thanks so much for another delightful video. I always enjoy your work.

I had to grin at your use of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture as the background music. It tells the story, in music, of the suffering and sacrifice of the Russian people under attack by Napoleon’s French troops, followed by Napoleon’s overwhelming defeat, losing 90% of his troops. Cannon fire is replaced by jubilant ringing of church bells. (As I recall, it’s said that Tchaikovsky originally asked that the bells be rung by the angels of heaven, but that may be a myth.) I’ve loved this piece since the seventies, and I always find the ending cathartic because I enter into the story and imagine the relief and joy of the Russians who survived.

Of course, I’m sure that you didn’t choose the music to make a statement or bring a catharsis, but still, I enjoyed it.

Wow, I learn something new every day. I love classical music but never really looked at the backstory for any particular movement.

No message was being sent with the music selection, was just looking for something a little uplifting without huge volume changes for the background and of an appropriate duration.

[Mimi0808]

Thank you for the video and the updates. Where does one get information on size and prices of the Apartments? Thanks in advance.

[Goldwingnut]

Thanks for doing this.

The amount of expansion is concerning. So many of the areas are unimpressive (imo) being so near the Turnpike ( drove thru several areas this past weekend). The other concern is the lack of golf courses ( at least announced golf courses ) relative to the number of roof tops.

I've looked at the numbers many times for the golf courses. The ratio of holes to homes is actually on the rise. What is deceptive is the visibility, there hasn't been as great a visibility of what is being developed in the past as there is now (for many reasons). The separation/connectivity issues don't help any with this perception either. Of course, we only officially know what they have announced and want us to know.

Prior to 2016 The Villages grew in basically one direction at a time, spreading out from the established areas. With the creation of Fenney (several reasons behind this but that's a different conversation) it has become 2 ends working towards the middle, a much more difficult growth model. The old model of building commercial areas as they went along worked well as the community spread towards and around the businesses basically having a large established customer base. With the new areas it has taken until just recently to have a sufficient population base to support commercial areas now under development. The "if you build it, they will come" model is one of doom and failure for a business, the customer base must be in place first. Along with the retail establishments the championship courses are also privately owned businesses and need between 6 and 7 thousand established homes (based on current numbers north of SR44) to support their operations, a number south of SR44 is just now reaching.

The number of rooftops south of SR44 is not as great as many would believe, just the ones that are there are much more visible. Travel down Morse between 466a and 44 and how many homes do you actually "see", only a few compared to the actual number that spread out from Morse to the east and west. Now drive down Warm Springs and the view is very different; Linden, McClure, Monarch Grove, and the rest can be easily seen spreading to the south (even more so now with Bradford and Hawkins) giving the perception of more homes than just a little farther north.

Yes, the turnpike does present some challenges to the community and those buying nearest have home prices that reflect its impact. The impact is limited locally, and the development is moving away from the turnpike in all directions. The best example of the WOW factor of the new areas is driving up Marsh Bend Trail from Warm Springs Ave to DeLuna, truly a beautiful drive/walk with a home density that is the lowest in The Villages.

[Goldwingnut]

Thank you for the video and the updates. Where does one get information on size and prices of the Apartments? Thanks in advance.

{{metaTags.title}} (https://www.thevillages.com/thelofts/)

[egmcaninch]

Here’s the latest update on the construction happenings in The Villages. This was all shot yesterday afternoon and is about as up to date as I can get. The video includes footage of the work on all three bridges, Magnolia Plaza, the villages of Chitty Chatty, Bradford, Hawkins, Richmond, St. Catherine, Carson Hammock, Hammock at Fenney, and St. Johns as well as other areas. There is also information included about the extension of Buena Vista Blvd. down to Meggison Rd.
The Villages 9-6-2020 Construction Update - YouTube (https://youtu.be/6jir4hsobDQ)
I hope you enjoy the video and be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and turn on the Notifications so you’ll know as soon as new videos are published.

I really enjoy the great updates! However, this one had a pro Joe Biden to start (which I skipped). At the break, it had another pro Joe Biden video. At that point I simply got out. Is this something you authorized, or was that YouTube & Facebook?

[gammonj]

Your time, energy and efforts are well appreciated. Thank you.

[Goldwingnut]

I really enjoy the great updates! However, this one had a pro Joe Biden to start (which I skipped). At the break, it had another pro Joe Biden video. At that point I simply got out. Is this something you authorized, or was that YouTube & Facebook?

Unfortunately. I have no control over the ad content that YouTube attaches to my video. I have a little control over where the ads are placed to prevent interruptions in the content, but what the ads are are out of my control. The advertiser chooses the content and channels they want to advertise on and pay YouTube for that space.

I wish I could turn off ALL the political ads, but I can't (not given an option to select content). The ads I find the greatest humor in is those from the villages golf cart stores considering how much the developer has pushed back on what I do, show, and say.

The upside is that most of the adds can be skipped after 5 seconds.

[GreySkies]

Here’s the latest update on the construction happenings in The Villages.

As a possible future full-time TV resident who is currently renting in TV, I want to say THANK YOU for the amount and quality of information you have provided! I have been watching your videos for the last 9 months and they have been extremely helpful with my decisions on where I want to build if I decide to purchase in TV.

[RealJudy]

Truly enjoy your updates.

[SUENRAN]

Here’s the latest update on the construction happenings in The Villages. This was all shot yesterday afternoon and is about as up to date as I can get. The video includes footage of the work on all three bridges, Magnolia Plaza, the villages of Chitty Chatty, Bradford, Hawkins, Richmond, St. Catherine, Carson Hammock, Hammock at Fenney, and St. Johns as well as other areas. There is also information included about the extension of Buena Vista Blvd. down to Meggison Rd.
The Villages 9-6-2020 Construction Update - YouTube (https://youtu.be/6jir4hsobDQ)
I hope you enjoy the video and be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and turn on the Notifications so you’ll know as soon as new videos are published.

Excellent job and thanks for the updates. Always enjoy your informative and interesting aerial videos. Thanks!:bigbow:

[Baldbaron]

Informative, beautifully photographed and I wish I could pilot a drone like you! Thanks for providing this service.

[Lee Gilpin]

Ditto on those commenting before me; I'll just add my congratulations on keeping us informed along with chairing the District 10 Board of Supervisors.

[stings]

The construction of Sawgrass is coming along quickly as you say. The championship course may take a while longer to settle in. I’m hopeful for Sawgrass as we’re returning to TV for Memorial Day. Thank you again for your attention to detail as regards the information you give us as well the beautiful videos.

[Don45]

Another thank you! Takes a lot of work to do these. Just your thoughts on the odds of golf cart lanes on the Warm Springs Boulevard over the Turnkpike? It would be a game changer for the area South of 44.

[Goldwingnut]

Another thank you! Takes a lot of work to do these. Just your thoughts on the odds of golf cart lanes on the Warm Springs Boulevard over the Turnkpike? It would be a game changer for the area South of 44.

As you may know, in March I did a short video about this topic and speculated how it is possible. As time as gone on it has appeared less likely, however with the resurfacing they are doing at the end of the northern bridge it seems possible even still. We'll have a better clue in a day or two when they put the lines back on the road. If they don't shift the lanes to the left a few feet, it's probably a dead issue and will be an opportunity missed for the good of all.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Thank you for the video and the updates. Where does one get information on size and prices of the Apartments? Thanks in advance.
Very very very simple

[Moderator]

I think TOTV is ok with people putting personal or non commercial websites into their signature line. If it's blatantly political or commercial, then it needs to go.

THis one should be ok.

nw