Construction Update #115 – I was wrong! 9-2-2022

[Goldwingnut]

After a 2-month hiatus I’m back with a new video update of the construction happening in and around The Villages. I started on this video several time but with everything that was happening every time I sat down to edit, everything was out of date. Last Sunday I got out and shot fresh video updates of all the important stuff going on and over the next four and a half days I’ve managed to get the video put together. Of course, as I was shooting and doing the editing I found even more to report on, but I’ll save that for upcoming videos.

Please enjoy the video and remember to support my sponsors.

https://youtu.be/Vg_B7q_-88s

Here is a list with links to the various areas covered in the video so you can jump to the areas you want to see.
0:19 Sawgrass Grove
5:04 Lake Miona Walking Path
5:52 Sprouts
6:24 Hobby Lobby
6:55 Culvers/Hilton Hotel and area north of Pinellas Plaza
8:50 7-11 on 44A
10:06 Lake Deaton Plaza
10:44 McDonalds at Brownwood
11:24 Okahumpka Rec Center
12:43 7-11 at Magnolia Plaza
13:44 US301/Warm Springs commercial buildings
15:10 Southern Oaks Bridge
16:53 Buena Vista Blvd extension
18:25 DeLuna
20:25 South of Monarch Grove
22:15 Middleton area
25:53 Eastport
27:40 Village of Richmond
31:21 Village of Newell

[MSchad]

Great video as usual Don!

[John Mayes]

After a 2-month hiatus I’m back with a new video update of the construction happening in and around The Villages. I started on this video several time but with everything that was happening every time I sat down to edit, everything was out of date. Last Sunday I got out and shot fresh video updates of all the important stuff going on and over the next four and a half days I’ve managed to get the video put together. Of course, as I was shooting and doing the editing I found even more to report on, but I’ll save that for upcoming videos.



Please enjoy the video and remember to support my sponsors.

https://youtu.be/Vg_B7q_-88s




Here is a list with links to the various areas covered in the video so you can jump to the areas you want to see.
0:19 Sawgrass Grove
5:04 Lake Miona Walking Path
5:52 Sprouts
6:24 Hobby Lobby
6:55 Culvers/Hilton Hotel and area north of Pinellas Plaza
8:50 7-11 on 44A
10:06 Lake Deaton Plaza
10:44 McDonalds at Brownwood
11:24 Okahumpka Rec Center
12:43 7-11 at Magnolia Plaza
13:44 US301/Warm Springs commercial buildings
15:10 Southern Oaks Bridge
16:53 Buena Vista Blvd extension
18:25 DeLuna
20:25 South of Monarch Grove
22:15 Middleton area
25:53 Eastport
27:40 Village of Richmond
31:21 Village of Newell



Thanks Don.

[Altavia]

Do you know what's planned where they are widening 470 South of the Turnpike?

Seems a lot of the underground utilities are in work.

Also interesting the are getting closer to Bugg Spring.

Bugg Spring - Wikipedia (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugg_Spring)

[TraceJustice]

Thanks so much for your great videos Don. We plan on moving to TV in the near future and your videos are very helpful in helping us figure out what area we want to live in. I've missed your videos the last 2 months. Congrats on your win.

[tghoul]

The workers putting up the canvass tarps at Sawgrass must get paid by the hour. They started over 4 weeks ago and they still don't have 3 of the tarps installed. About 1 week per tarp.

[P A Paul]

There’s issues with the sawgrass tarps…these aren’t the finished product but a bandaid until original material arrives. Think of the money Developer has lost by not being able to open. Heck, the lost bar revenue alone is incalculable.

[John Mayes]

There’s issues with the sawgrass tarps…these aren’t the finished product but a bandaid until original material arrives. Think of the money Developer has lost by not being able to open. Heck, the lost bar revenue alone is incalculable.

Interesting. Where did this info come from ?

[Goldwingnut]

Do you know what's planned where they are widening 470 South of the Turnpike?

Seems a lot of the underground utilities are in work.

Also interesting the are getting closer to Bugg Spring.

Bugg Spring - Wikipedia (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugg_Spring)

Yes, 470 will be widened from where Dabney ends to the county line including an additional bridge span under a road agreement with Lake County. From the County line to the west end of Middleton CR470 is being widened and rerouted under a road agreement with Sumter County.

Bugg Springs was specifically addressed in the impact studies of N/LD/D because of the sensitive acoustical (sonar) testing done there by the Navy. While the construction period was a concern, they deemed is should have no long-term impact to the Navy's work there.

As to how the Navy chose Bugg Springs for sonar testing, it's anybody's guess, my 20 years in the Navy on submarines taught me not to ask questions about oddities, the justification was always more odd than the situation.

[Goldwingnut]

Interesting. Where did this info come from ?

New one on me also...

[karenzeee]

Excellent Video as always! Lots of great information! Thanks Don!

[epappy2]

Thank you ������

[GoneFishing]

Thanks Don. I’ve missed your videos!

[jrref]

Don, great video as always. How are the new schools in Middleton going to affect our school taxes? Is Middleton in Sumpter or Lake counties?

I understand the reason for building the schools, etc, but i'm concerned the school budget may get too large for us to pay for.

Back in NY every town and village had to have their own school system and school taxes were out of control which is why i'm concerned. I understand there will be a new population base to help spread the costs but some more detail or insite would be great on this matter.

[Bogie Shooter]

Don, great video as always. How are the new schools in Middleton going to affect our school taxes? Is Middleton in Sumpter or Lake counties?

I understand the reason for building the schools, etc, but i'm concerned the school budget may get too large for us to pay for.

Back in NY every town and village had to have their own school system and school taxes were out of control which is why i'm concerned. I understand there will be a new population base to help spread the costs but some more detail or insite would be great on this matter.
A member of the school board could probably answer your questions. (let us know what you find out)
Sumter District Schools / Homepage (https://www.sumter.k12.fl.us/)

[richdell]

Great video as always, Don. Your information is always helpful.

[EviesGP]

Thanks, Don.
I agree on the Sawgrass Grove interior noise. I/we noticed that first time it opened. That whole area is going to challenging(IMO).
#1. I think the square area is a bit small(for that many homes down there).
#2 The stage roof seems a bit high(shelter from rain?).
#3. The parking(which will be shared by restaurant patrons, Sawgrass patrons, and the Rec Center. Oh, and you have to park, go thru the little mall to get to the golf shop, then go back out and across the road to golf?

On the Trailwinds area. Have you heard anymore about the Ocala hospital? Seems like it died on the vine?

Thanks.

[coffeebean]

Thank you for this wonderful video. Don, do you have any idea how long the walking path is around Lake Mion Rec Center?

[TommyT]

It's my understanding BUGG SPRING is on the property of a facility known as the Underwater Sound Reference Division of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center and is not accessible. It is mostly surrounded by swampland with sandhills to the south.

[Glorantha]

Don, another informative video.

I don’t see any traffic circles being constructed on Meggison Road, is this something that happens further down the construction timeline. I can see this being one of the busier roads in TV and I don’t see how they are going to slow the traffic. I see the construction of some golf cart trails, but not any tunnels crossing Meggison.

[John Mayes]

Thanks, Don.
I agree on the Sawgrass Grove interior noise. I/we noticed that first time it opened. That whole area is going to challenging(IMO).
#1. I think the square area is a bit small(for that many homes down there).
#2 The stage roof seems a bit high(shelter from rain?).
#3. The parking(which will be shared by restaurant patrons, Sawgrass patrons, and the Rec Center. Oh, and you have to park, go thru the little mall to get to the golf shop, then go back out and across the road to golf?

On the Trailwinds area. Have you heard anymore about the Ocala hospital? Seems like it died on the vine?

Thanks.

There is parking right outside the golf shop. You can go in and out of the shop without going through the Market.

[champion6]

<snip>
On the Trailwinds area. Have you heard anymore about the Ocala hospital? Seems like it died on the vine?In March 2021, Hospital Corp of America purchased the parcels east of Publix from the Trailwinds developer. Since then, nothing more seems to have occurred as to obtaining the permits needed to begin construction.

[mikemalloy]

Don, do you have any information about a possible sports pool in Richmond? I'm in north St. John's where we don't have a village pool for about 4 miles. Richmond would be closer than Everglades or Eisenhower.

[Dond1959]

Don, great video as always. How are the new schools in Middleton going to affect our school taxes? Is Middleton in Sumpter or Lake counties?

I understand the reason for building the schools, etc, but i'm concerned the school budget may get too large for us to pay for.

Back in NY every town and village had to have their own school system and school taxes were out of control which is why i'm concerned. I understand there will be a new population base to help spread the costs but some more detail or insite would be great on this matter.

The schools are being built and paid for by the developer to attract quality employees who will work for the Villages and certain businesses. It is a significant investment by the developer. The family housing near the schools will pay property taxes like the rest of us. So I don’t see a major impact on our school taxes from the charter schools.

[Bogie Shooter]

Thank you for this wonderful video. Don, do you have any idea how long the walking path is around Lake Mion Rec Center?

Seven-tenths of a mile long.

[Indydealmaker]

After a 2-month hiatus I’m back with a new video update of the construction happening in and around The Villages. I started on this video several time but with everything that was happening every time I sat down to edit, everything was out of date. Last Sunday I got out and shot fresh video updates of all the important stuff going on and over the next four and a half days I’ve managed to get the video put together. Of course, as I was shooting and doing the editing I found even more to report on, but I’ll save that for upcoming videos.

Please enjoy the video and remember to support my sponsors.

https://youtu.be/Vg_B7q_-88s

Here is a list with links to the various areas covered in the video so you can jump to the areas you want to see.
0:19 Sawgrass Grove
5:04 Lake Miona Walking Path
5:52 Sprouts
6:24 Hobby Lobby
6:55 Culvers/Hilton Hotel and area north of Pinellas Plaza
8:50 7-11 on 44A
10:06 Lake Deaton Plaza
10:44 McDonalds at Brownwood
11:24 Okahumpka Rec Center
12:43 7-11 at Magnolia Plaza
13:44 US301/Warm Springs commercial buildings
15:10 Southern Oaks Bridge
16:53 Buena Vista Blvd extension
18:25 DeLuna
20:25 South of Monarch Grove
22:15 Middleton area
25:53 Eastport
27:40 Village of Richmond
31:21 Village of Newell

Don, you do good work!

[Goldwingnut]

Don, great video as always. How are the new schools in Middleton going to affect our school taxes? Is Middleton in Sumpter or Lake counties?

I understand the reason for building the schools, etc, but i'm concerned the school budget may get too large for us to pay for.

Back in NY every town and village had to have their own school system and school taxes were out of control which is why i'm concerned. I understand there will be a new population base to help spread the costs but some more detail or insite would be great on this matter.

The developer is actually paying for the entire new schools project, not the taxpayers, so it doesn't affect the school budget. The student population doesn't change dramatically year-over-year so the operating costs increase much each year either - when it opens they HS students will move here, and others will be redistributed between the new and old schools. The developer picks up a substantial portion of the operating cost (most people don't know or realize this) because they consider this an employee benefit and a part of the cost of doing business. The "greedy developer" and their subcontracts give back a lot more to the community than the "internet experts" know or can comprehend.

The local portion of your school tax continues to decrease, the state portion not as much, check your TRIM notice.

[Goldwingnut]

Don, do you have any information about a possible sports pool in Richmond? I'm in north St. John's where we don't have a village pool for about 4 miles. Richmond would be closer than Everglades or Eisenhower.

Nothing is planned for the area. Your drive to a sports pool is similar to many others here in The Villages. Some have longer, some have shorter.

[Goldwingnut]

Thanks, Don.
I agree on the Sawgrass Grove interior noise. I/we noticed that first time it opened. That whole area is going to challenging(IMO).
#1. I think the square area is a bit small(for that many homes down there).
#2 The stage roof seems a bit high(shelter from rain?).
#3. The parking(which will be shared by restaurant patrons, Sawgrass patrons, and the Rec Center. Oh, and you have to park, go thru the little mall to get to the golf shop, then go back out and across the road to golf?

On the Trailwinds area. Have you heard anymore about the Ocala hospital? Seems like it died on the vine?



Thanks.

#1 - it's about the same size as the Brownwood area, just no seating.
#2 - agree
#3 - yes shared parking, 420+ car spaces, double or more with just golf carts, there's an outside entrance to the golf shop so you don't need to go through the market area.
#4 - nothing yet, hospitals take a long time to design and build, because of the support systems involved they are some of the most complex buildings to build and take a long time to design (I worked several before retiring from the construction industry).

[Marykess1802]

After a 2-month hiatus I’m back with a new video update of the construction happening in and around The Villages. I started on this video several time but with everything that was happening every time I sat down to edit, everything was out of date. Last Sunday I got out and shot fresh video updates of all the important stuff going on and over the next four and a half days I’ve managed to get the video put together. Of course, as I was shooting and doing the editing I found even more to report on, but I’ll save that for upcoming videos.

Please enjoy the video and remember to support my sponsors.

https://youtu.be/Vg_B7q_-88s

Here is a list with links to the various areas covered in the video so you can jump to the areas you want to see.
0:19 Sawgrass Grove
5:04 Lake Miona Walking Path
5:52 Sprouts
6:24 Hobby Lobby
6:55 Culvers/Hilton Hotel and area north of Pinellas Plaza
8:50 7-11 on 44A
10:06 Lake Deaton Plaza
10:44 McDonalds at Brownwood
11:24 Okahumpka Rec Center
12:43 7-11 at Magnolia Plaza
13:44 US301/Warm Springs commercial buildings
15:10 Southern Oaks Bridge
16:53 Buena Vista Blvd extension
18:25 DeLuna
20:25 South of Monarch Grove
22:15 Middleton area
25:53 Eastport
27:40 Village of Richmond
31:21 Village of Newell
Totally enjoy your updates of places I will probably never see. Thanks for keeping us informed. Congratulations on winning the elections.

[gbs317]

Thank you Don. My wife and I always look forward to your videos.

[gweisheipl]

The rumor mill indicates the fabric is fine, but they forgot to put lock washers on all of the bolts, so they are having to go back and remove every single bolt on the support arms and add lock washers! QUOTE=tghoul;2133136]The workers putting up the canvass tarps at Sawgrass must get paid by the hour. They started over 4 weeks ago and they still don't have 3 of the tarps installed. About 1 week per tarp.[/QUOTE]

[gweisheipl]

There’s issues with the sawgrass tarps…these aren’t the finished product but a bandaid until original material arrives. Think of the money Developer has lost by not being able to open. Heck, the lost bar revenue alone is incalculable.
The rumor mill indicates it’s not the fabric, but they forgot the lock washers on all of the bolts, so they have been replacing the lock washers on all of the support arm bolts!

[Rwirish]

The lack of Executive Golf Courses in these new areas is concerning. Many residents can’t play pitch and putt ( difficult to walk ) and putt and play is nice for visitors.

[JMintzer]

The lack of Executive Golf Courses in these new areas is concerning. Many residents can’t play pitch and putt ( difficult to walk ) and putt and play is nice for visitors.

There are at least 5 more executive courses either currently being built or scheduled to be built...

[Fastskiguy]

There are at least 5 more executive courses either currently being built or scheduled to be built...

Which is 5 more than they have built since at least Jan 2020, despite building like 10,000 new homes (not including southern oaks). So personally I'm pretty optimistic on the exec golf going forwards and really happy to see it.

Joe

[JMintzer]

Which is 5 more than they have built since at least Jan 2020, despite building like 10,000 new homes (not including southern oaks). So personally I'm pretty optimistic on the exec golf going forwards and really happy to see it.

Joe

There were 4 before that time. Red & Gray Fox, Loblolly and Lowlands, right?

[coffeebean]

Seven-tenths of a mile long.

Thanks for that information. Nice to have a dedicated walking path here in then northern part of The Villages and even nicer that the surface is conducive for those with arthritis. Can't wait to walk in the cooler months on that path.

[coffeebean]

Don, another informative video.

I don’t see any traffic circles being constructed on Meggison Road, is this something that happens further down the construction timeline. I can see this being one of the busier roads in TV and I don’t see how they are going to slow the traffic. I see the construction of some golf cart trails, but not any tunnels crossing Meggison.

Are there any tunnels south of 44 that tunnel under the main roads like there are north of 44?

[Kenswing]

Are there any tunnels south of 44 that tunnel under the main roads like there are north of 44?

Yes.

[Rwirish]

Where have you seen that 5 additional executive courses are being built?

[JMintzer]

Where have you seen that 5 additional executive courses are being built?

The Villages - Florida&apos;s Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community (https://www.thevillages.com/whatsnew/golf/the-future-of-golf)

Go to the 13:00 minute mark...

[JMintzer]

Where have you seen that 5 additional executive courses are being built?

Sorry, it was 3 executive and 3 championship courses (plus a few pitch and put and putt & plays)...

https://cdn2.thevillages.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/the-future-of-golf-in-the-vilages_1120px.jpg

[gobuck827]

[QUOTE=JMintzer;2133784]Sorry, it was 3 executive and 3 championship courses (plus a few pitch and put and putt & plays)...

It appears that the 2 Executive golf area's indicated to the South on the map have 2 9 hole courses each. So, that would be 5 Executive courses total on the way.

[gobuck827]

There were 4 before that time. Red & Gray Fox, Loblolly and Lowlands, right?

Longleaf?

[John Mayes]

Sorry, it was 3 executive and 3 championship courses (plus a few pitch and put and putt & plays)...

https://cdn2.thevillages.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/the-future-of-golf-in-the-vilages_1120px.jpg

This may be a little more recent info;

Continuing The Dream: Volume 15 (https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/ContinuingTheDream_Vol15/index.php#/p/1)

[Papa_lecki]

Which is 5 more than they have built since at least Jan 2020, despite building like 10,000 new homes (not including southern oaks). So personally I'm pretty optimistic on the exec golf going forwards and really happy to see it.

Joe

Did something happen in March 2020 that may have caused a change in the construction timeline, you maybe created uncertainty around home purchases and the economy?

[tophcfa]

Thanks for that information. Nice to have a dedicated walking path here in then northern part of The Villages and even nicer that the surface is conducive for those with arthritis. Can't wait to walk in the cooler months on that path.

If you have a dog, don’t bring him/her, not allowed : (

[JMintzer]

Longleaf?

Forgot about that one... Haven't played it yet...

[JMintzer]

[QUOTE=JMintzer;2133784]Sorry, it was 3 executive and 3 championship courses (plus a few pitch and put and putt & plays)...

It appears that the 2 Executive golf area's indicated to the South on the map have 2 9 hole courses each. So, that would be 5 Executive courses total on the way.

I think at least one of the championship courses is 27 holes. That may be where the confusion lies...

[gobuck827]

[QUOTE=gobuck827;2133789]

I think at least one of the championship courses is 27 holes. That may be where the confusion lies...

Actually, I forgot the Executive course planned adjacent to Eastport which adds up to 6 new Executive course proposed. This is verified in link provided by John Mayes in post #46.

From the link;

"Plans include three championship courses, six executive courses, a pitch and putt, a teaching academy and a driving range."

Continuing The Dream: Volume 15 (https://www.nxtbook.com/thevillages/TheVillages/ContinuingTheDream_Vol15/index.php#/p/1)

[Fastskiguy]

There were 4 before that time. Red & Gray Fox, Loblolly and Lowlands, right?

Yeah exactly plus another one Longleaf.

Joe

[JMintzer]

Yeah exactly plus another one Longleaf.

Joe

Already notified of and acknowledged...

[Bogie Shooter]

Talk about a hijacked thread.🤦

[Dusty_Star]

Thanks Don, informative & entertaining video.

[Stu from NYC]

Thanks for the bookmarks

[P A Paul]

Curious about the two “roundabouts to nowhere” on the Buena vista expansion at 44. Any clue based on what appears to be private property adjoining? Also, there is prep work being done immediately south of Marsh Bend Trail near Monarch Grove entrance…it’s adjoins the area that has the entertainment stage amidst the pasture.

[Goldwingnut]

Curious about the two “roundabouts to nowhere” on the Buena vista expansion at 44. Any clue based on what appears to be private property adjoining? Also, there is prep work being done immediately south of Marsh Bend Trail near Monarch Grove entrance…it’s adjoins the area that has the entertainment stage amidst the pasture.

The roundabouts will eventually feed the commercial properties east of the BV Extension, that property is all owned by, wait for it, the developer of The Villages.

The property south of McClure along MBT is another residential development not associated with The Villages.

[P A Paul]

Thanks!!! Knew you’d know…. Appreciate your video/research/narration/facts….brings to mind “The Shell Answer Man” and you’re the best!

[Altavia]

Also, there is prep work being done immediately south of Marsh Bend Trail near Monarch Grove entrance…it’s adjoins the area that has the entertainment stage amidst the pasture.

It's relatively high end non-Villages residential housing. Should be attractive to ther younger professions working in the area.

Zora Wildwood – FL – Zora Living (https://zoraliving.com/zora-wildwood-fl/)

"EDEN Living is continuing to expand its build-to-rent community presence with a new project in Wildwood, Fla. The firm is planning to start construction on Eden Village, a 130-unit apartment community, in June.

EDEN Living to Build BTR Community in Florida – Multifamily Real Estate News (https://www.multihousingnews.com/eden-living-to-build-btr-community-in-florida/?amp)

EDEN Living acquired the 15-acre site for the community in April. The firm is planning to build one- and two-bedroom units that range in size from 799 to 1,268 square feet. Eden Village’s amenities will include a clubhouse, fitness center, pool, barbecue area, pickleball courts and a park with walkways and seating areas."

[Altavia]

Duplicate post deleted

[Goldwingnut]

It's relatively high end non-Villages residential housing. Should be attractive to ther younger professions working in the area.

Zora Wildwood – FL – Zora Living (https://zoraliving.com/zora-wildwood-fl/)

"EDEN Living is continuing to expand its build-to-rent community presence with a new project in Wildwood, Fla. The firm is planning to start construction on Eden Village, a 130-unit apartment community, in June.

EDEN Living to Build BTR Community in Florida – Multifamily Real Estate News (https://www.multihousingnews.com/eden-living-to-build-btr-community-in-florida/?amp)

EDEN Living acquired the 15-acre site for the community in April. The firm is planning to build one- and two-bedroom units that range in size from 799 to 1,268 square feet. Eden Village’s amenities will include a clubhouse, fitness center, pool, barbecue area, pickleball courts and a park with walkways and seating areas."

130 homes/apartments on 15 acres with “amenities” and parking is pretty tight! Not sure where “Eden” is located but can’t help but question if it will live up to its name.

Wildwood has a LOT of building going on outside of the villages, it’s a different market than what the villages targets and one that’s greatly needed to be filled. It will be interesting to watch over the next few years how the boom in building will affect wildwood’s population and available services (schools?) and how they will be addressed.

[Kenswing]

130 homes/apartments on 15 acres with “amenities” and parking is pretty tight! Not sure where “Eden” is located but can’t help but question if it will live up to its name.

Wildwood has a LOT of building going on outside of the villages, it’s a different market than what the villages targets and one that’s greatly needed to be filled. It will be interesting to watch over the next few years how the boom in building will affect wildwood’s population and available services (schools?) and how they will be addressed.Also the increased pressure on an already strained medical system.