The Villages 9-20-2020 Construction Update Video

[Goldwingnut]

Here’s a new construction update as well as the results of the $10,000 Amenity Fee Giveaway that I announced about 6 weeks ago.

The rainy and windy weather we’ve been having the last few weeks has severely limited my ability to plan and fly to get the needed footage. Some of the footage in this video is actually from test flights I’ve been making and testing of a new map overlay to help you figure out where things are at and the direction the camera is looking.

I’m very close to a milestone on YouTube, 10,000 subscribers and 1,000,000 views so please be sure to subscribe and share the videos with your friends. It really doesn’t mean much on YouTube and has no real value until you realize the very select audience for my work and hitting these numbers represents a lot of loyalty of the viewers. Thanks to everyone for watching.

The Villages 9-20-2020 Construction Update - YouTube (https://youtu.be/IVsSTBr4Wo0)

[LuvtheVillages]

I have a speculation about why the north ramp of the Chitty Chatty bridge has an extra lane.

That north ramp is very steep. Bicyclists who want to cross the bridge will have to gear down and go slow to make it up. Might the extra lane be for "slow moving vehicles" ? At the top of the ramp bicyclists would merge with the golf carts.

The south ramp is much longer and less steep. No need for the "slow moving vehicle" lane.

Of course that leaves the question of where pedestrians should walk.

[Kenswing]

Thanks for the St. Catherine flyover.

Glad to see that you won't be ending up on the soup line from having to pay out that $10k.. :icon_wink:

[JoMar]

Thanks for the St. Catherine flyover.

Glad to see that you won't be ending up on the soup line from having to pay out that $10k.. :icon_wink:

Not as happy as his wife :). As always, thanks for all the effort, the information and the truth.

[Debfrommaine]

As always, wonderful and informative. Don, if you had a wild guess.......when do you foresee the Brownwood Bridge opening up? I'm thinking a year.

[Northwoods]

Another great video!! Love the map insert.

[stings]

Another great update. Thank you.

[Goldwingnut]

As always, wonderful and informative. Don, if you had a wild guess.......when do you foresee the Brownwood Bridge opening up? I'm thinking a year.

For safety concerns I doubt that they'll open the BW bridge until both BW and WL are complete and there is significant construction of homes in the area between. A joint opening of both bridges would not be out of the question.

The BW bridge of late seems not to be a high priority, and rightfully so, as they focus on the CC and WL bridges.

I think the key will be the WL bridge and how fast it can be completed. When the ramps are nearing completion and the MMPs are in starting to be paved we'll have a much better idea. My best guess based on watching the construction progress between the WL and BW bridges is March-April time frame.

I think next year will be a banner year for growth in The Villages. We'll see all 3 bridges open by mid-Spring, Sawgrass Grove open by Labor Day, the Bexley bridge over the Turnpike started, Magnolia Plaza open in the spring, and work start on the areas south of Monarch Grove. It will be fun and interesting to watch.

[MandoMan]

I have a speculation about why the north ramp of the Chitty Chatty bridge has an extra lane.

That north ramp is very steep. Bicyclists who want to cross the bridge will have to gear down and go slow to make it up. Might the extra lane be for "slow moving vehicles" ? At the top of the ramp bicyclists would merge with the golf carts.

The south ramp is much longer and less steep. No need for the "slow moving vehicle" lane.

Of course that leaves the question of where pedestrians should walk.

You may be right. I think it’s a Bungee Jump lane, or Lovers Leap. Two more fun recreational activities we are pleased to offer our residents! (Laughing)

[Goldwingnut]

Not as happy as his wife :). As always, thanks for all the effort, the information and the truth.

Thanks for the St. Catherine flyover.

Glad to see that you won't be ending up on the soup line from having to pay out that $10k.. :icon_wink:

I was/am ready to pay if there was something out there and then go to bat for those who may have been legitimately entitled to have their amenity fee "capped". Of course, I was hedging my bets that the developer was smart enough to not put something so stupid as a "cap" in any document as it would be been a world class business blunder, something I don't see them making. But I am breathing easier and the wife has stopped giving me the stink eye (for now).

As the Amenity Fee structure stands, we, the residents, are very well protected from increases with the CPI adjustment being the only increase one would see unless you decide to buy a new home and move. The CPI works in our favor but not the budget's. The budget is favored by the Reset that happens when a home is resold and by the work the District Staff does each year to control costs. Together it's a good balance that has been working well for many years.

[Bay Kid]

Always love your videos. I hope one you will continue the flyovers of our older golf courses.

[askcarl]

do you have still pictures from a high enough point to show all construction South of the Turnpike? I find the map posted by The Villages (family) not accurate. Roads moved, Prison left out, Quarries look small compared to reality. In short, a "photo shopped" best presentation. I don't blame any business to put a Best Foot forward in Advertising. Just looking for the truth.

Thanks for your dedication on Our community.

[Kilmacowen]

Thanks Don, wonderful video. I'm not getting any audio. Anyone else having this problem?

[KRM0614]

Here’s a new construction update as well as the results of the $10,000 Amenity Fee Giveaway that I announced about 6 weeks ago.

The rainy and windy weather we’ve been having the last few weeks has severely limited my ability to plan and fly to get the needed footage. Some of the footage in this video is actually from test flights I’ve been making and testing of a new map overlay to help you figure out where things are at and the direction the camera is looking.

I’m very close to a milestone on YouTube, 10,000 subscribers and 1,000,000 views so please be sure to subscribe and share the videos with your friends. It really doesn’t mean much on YouTube and has no real value until you realize the very select audience for my work and hitting these numbers represents a lot of loyalty of the viewers. Thanks to everyone for watching.

The Villages 9-20-2020 Construction Update - YouTube (https://youtu.be/IVsSTBr4Wo0)
Are you the man that the residents bought a new drone for ?

Do you receive compensation from Utube ?

[Altavia]

,

. . . and work start on the areas south of Monarch Grove.

You probably already noticed they started running underground power distribution in this area.

[Goldwingnut]

Always love your videos. I hope one you will continue the flyovers of our older golf courses.

I still have footage that I haven't published of several courses (Buttonwood area, R/G Fox @ Fenney, and north of 27/441 and some of the championship courses) that haven't been high priorities lately. If the poor weather continues I'll probably put some time into them and post the videos.

[Goldwingnut]

do you have still pictures from a high enough point to show all construction South of the Turnpike? I find the map posted by The Villages (family) not accurate. Roads moved, Prison left out, Quarries look small compared to reality. In short, a "photo shopped" best presentation. I don't blame any business to put a Best Foot forward in Advertising. Just looking for the truth.

Thanks for your dedication on Our community.

My altitude limit by the FAA is 400 ft., the footage at Hawkins and St C. are at 350 +/- ft. so that gives you a pretty good idea of the max views I can get. As far as the prisons and mines go, these are no-fly zones by the FAA and the state of Florida. I have not desire to lose my license or do time in jail to get shots of these areas.

The most up-to-date maps I can find are at https://www.arcgis.com/index.html

[Altavia]

do you have still pictures from a high enough point to show all construction South of the Turnpike? I find the map posted by The Villages (family) not accurate. Roads moved, Prison left out, Quarries look small compared to reality. In short, a "photo shopped" best presentation. I don't blame any business to put a Best Foot forward in Advertising. Just looking for the truth.

Thanks for your dedication on Our community.

Here's a map that is relatively up to date.

Map of Wildwood (https://www.gosur.com/3d-map/?ll=28.79381630468201,-82.00576330679615&z=15.613519760075322&t=satellite)

[drcar41@aol.com]

Always enjoy your video and learn a lot from them. Thanks for doing this.
Don Carlson

[VApeople]

I have a speculation about why the north ramp of the Chitty Chatty bridge has an extra lane.

That north ramp is very steep. Bicyclists who want to cross the bridge will have to gear down and go slow to make it up. Might the extra lane be for "slow moving vehicles" ? At the top of the ramp bicyclists would merge with the golf carts.

The south ramp is much longer and less steep. No need for the "slow moving vehicle" lane.


Personally, I think your speculation makes a lot of sense. I think a lot of bike riders will want to cross the bridge.



Of course that leaves the question of where pedestrians should walk.

I doubt a lot of walkers will want to cross the bridge.

For those of us who like to walk, it is easy to drive to the Bradford pool, park our car, and go for a very long walk around the lakes with no car or golf cart to interfere with us.

[Bay Kid]

I still have footage that I haven't published of several courses (Buttonwood area, R/G Fox @ Fenney, and north of 27/441 and some of the championship courses) that haven't been high priorities lately. If the poor weather continues I'll probably put some time into them and post the videos.

Look forward to seeing more. Love to share them with friends back home.
Thank you

[OCsun]

Your videos provide the connection between those of us north of 44 to whats happening south. It really helps me to understand the big picture. Thanks so much for the work you do.

[chrisinva]

Thanks. Enjoyed seeing what I cannot see from the ground. The extra lane on that north ramp of CC bridge is puzzling. Really appreciate your insights. Liked the map in the lower left corner.

[Goldwingnut]

Here's a map that is relatively up to date.

Map of Wildwood (https://www.gosur.com/3d-map/?ll=28.79381630468201,-82.00576330679615&z=15.613519760075322&t=satellite)

I use another site https://www.arcgis.com/ that appears to be using the same map images. Both are about year or more out of date but much better than Google or other services.