Newly Acquired Village Land off of 466A

[JP]

Does anyone have any information about the rumor that the village developer has acquired 900 acres of land off of 466A that will extend the build out date of TV up to 18 months?

[NJblue]

Does anyone have any information about the rumor that the village developer has acquired 900 acres of land off of 466A that will extend the build out date of TV up to 18 months?

What land?

If true, and if it doesn't include space for executive golf, the claim of "free golf for the rest of your life" will take yet another credibility hit. In the past few years, NONE of the property that has been acquired and/or converted to residential use has been accompanied with additional golf resources.

[champion6]

In my mind, that's not a rumor. It's complete fiction.

"900 acres of land off of 466A" in Sumter County that could be purchased by TV doesn't exist.

If you let you imagination run wild, MAYBE parcels south of 466A in Lake County MIGHT be useful to TV and MIGHT add up to 900 acres. But very, very doubtful.

[justjim]

Rumors, rumors, rumors----you hear them all the time in TV. Not valid until you see something valid.

[Barefoot]

Does anyone have any information about the rumor that the village developer has acquired 900 acres of land off of 466A that will extend the build out date of TV up to 18 months?

Rumors in TV are more plentiful than golf carts.

[golf2140]

What I heard is that they purchased the land to add a Macy's, Trader Joe's, WAWA, Little Ceasers Pizza, Sears, Home Goods among others. :MOJE_whot:

[JP]

There is a piece of land that is parallel to 466A across from TV library that has been for sale for a while and looks like about 900 acres to me. There was also a recent construction update in The Sun that said they were widening County Rd 462 which intersects 466A at the corner of that vacant land and continues out to intersect 301.

[graciegirl]

There is a piece of land that is parallel to 466A across from TV library that has been for sale for a while and looks like about 900 acres to me. There was also a recent construction update in The Sun that said they were widening County Rd 462 which intersects 466A at the corner of that vacant land and continues out to intersect 301.

I am sure that owners of property around here have lotsa land they want to sell to the developers but the asking prices are so high that it would not be feasible to buy it and keep the homes in the existing price range.

So those owners will probably continue to keep their land. The developers don't seem to be stupid.

AND do NOT believe all you read on this forum. It contains so many rumors and so much misinformation that it makes my head spin and is ONE of the reasons I post so much.

[Jasper1963]

Does anyone have any information about the rumor that the village developer has acquired 900 acres of land off of 466A that will extend the build out date of TV up to 18 months?
I have heard the same rumor. The proposed widening of 466a would be consistent with that.

[graciegirl]

I have heard the same rumor. The proposed widening of 466a would be consistent with that.

Welcome to the forum.

From whence heareth thoust rumor?

[rubicon]

Believe this...If the past is prologue to the future than The Villages Lake-Sumter, Inc. will build on every square inch of free space that it can lay its hands on. And as to "the free golf for the rest of your life" marketing spiel it ain't free

[graciegirl]

Believe this...If the past is prologue to the future than The Villages Lake-Sumter, Inc. will build on every square inch of free space that it can lay its hands on. And as to "the free golf for the rest of your life" marketing spiel it ain't free

Now Rubicon. Building is what builders do. Developing is what developers do. If they do it well, they make money. People are in business to make money. That is not shameful.

As for free golf, it is the closest to free this woman has seen in her 73 years.


And there are many vistas, and photo ops and beautiful free spaces with tall trees, bushes and flowers that the planners have left for us to enjoy.

Keep it coming, I say. If it ain't broke, it don't need to be fixed.

[PaPaLarry]

I have heard the same rumor. The proposed widening of 466a would be consistent with that.
And your source to this rumor??????

[JP]

I read about this land purchase in a monthly newsletter that I get by the author of The Villages Florida Book

[ROCKETMAN]

they should have a seperate forum just for rumors. then i could just avoid that forum. there is plenty of space next to brownwood for all those stores,macy,and cheesecake factory. etc.

[Bogie Shooter]

I read about this land purchase in a monthly newsletter that I get by the author of The Villages Florida Book

Went to the web site for Villages Florida Book. Can't believe people pay money ($77) for information they can get for free on TOTV.

[Cisco Kid]

they should have a seperate forum just for rumors. then i could just avoid that forum. there is plenty of space next to brownwood for all those stores,macy,and cheesecake factory. etc.

I heard one was coming
:throwtomatoes:

[asianthree]

:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

[Baci514]

Where there is smoke there is fire!

[JP]

I am very interested in any information people on TOTV might have on this subject because I built a house about nine months ago in the village of St. James that is nearby to what I believe is the land in question. I love the location but especially like it because I get to sit out on my lanai at night and listen to the cows baying/mooing. Just wanted to prepare myself for not having my baying/mooing "buddies" around anymore. Maybe my neighbors would pick up the slack?

[OldDave]

Good morning fellow rumor mongers! Don't you just love it. (I don't know why some folks here don't want rumors posted. We wouldn't have anything to talk about it they weren't, lol)

First, I agree with Gracie, despite all my questioning of EVERYTHING, there is nothing wrong with the growth this company is doing as long as they handle it well; and handling it well is judged by sales, and the satisfaction of existing owners. (btw, Gracie, what are you doing posting at 3 in the morning girl?) Someone complained, I think in another thread that TV kept building, but wasn't building any new golf courses. Perhaps I'm missing something but to my eye it seems they are building lots of new courses south of 466A. There seem to be more pools, rec centers, etc, especially compared to north of 466.

As to rumors, let me point out something from the world we all love so much, politics. Trial balloons are a staple of politics. You spread a rumor just to see how it flies. After much research you'll see that many, if not most political rumors are started either by the party involved for the trial balloon purpose, or unfortunately the other side just to do damage. I wouldn't see how the developer would benefit from the latter.

So much of what you hear may be rooted in fact, at least in the early planning stages. It doesn't mean it's actually going to happen. I know we all want Macy's, etc. However, we suffer from an unusual problem, we are the wrong demographic for many stores. Clothing is bought mostly by my 19 year old daughter. (I don't mean all 19 year olds, I mean mine specifically is buying most of the clothes in the country!!!) We cannot offer that to them. They not only sell most of their clothes to younger people, they can get away with higher markups on trendy brands. Say one thing for us old folks, we know how to look at a price tag. And I don't know this for sure, but I remember someone saying TV insists on owning the land and just leasing it to these kind of businesses. Someone said that's why Walmart if so far west, because they wouldn't agree to this. Honestly I don't know if it's true, but it would certainly disuade some companies.

Also, someone mentioned the 900 acre rumor. Several days ago no one could prove that TV was NOT done expanding. We had a great thread about moving south of Lake Deaton. Just rumors. Within three days it was announced that TV had bought new land next to the lake and were building 350 new homes. So, whether trial balloons or leaked info, rumor almost always has some level of fact behind it.

As to the 900 acres across from the library. 900 acres would be around 1 mile by 1.5 miles. In looking at that field via Google Maps, it is no where near that big. Maybe 120 acres. Of course the 900 acres wouldn't have to be all in one piece. The only continuous spot I see, within Sumter County, near the southern expansion is between 44 and the turnpike and between 468 and the Lake County line. On Google it is mostly just woodlands. Of course these pictures are sometimes a couple of years old. This one shows housing being built almost to the north edge of Lake Deaton, and road building to and around Brownwood, but no building construction. So, it's probably between one and two years old.

So we can continue to watch, listen and speculate. I frankly don't mind it, because this affects all of us, residents, snow.... and wantabes alike.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Now Rubicon. Building is what builders do. Developing is what developers do. If they do it well, they make money. People are in business to make money. That is not shameful.

As for free golf, it is the closest to free this woman has seen in her 73 years.


And there are many vistas, and photo ops and beautiful free spaces with tall trees, bushes and flowers that the planners have left for us to enjoy.

Keep it coming, I say. If it ain't broke, it don't need to be fixed.

I agree. I don't understand why people think that things like this affect them. I live in a nice little house in one of most crime free areas in the country. I have all of these amenities for $145 a month and the cost of living is pretty low. The air is clean, the grounds are immaculate. I love this place and I have a great life here. What do I care if some is going to build more stores or houses on 900 acres of land that is not being used?

I bet that the people in the historic district were having these same conversations when the began building on the other side of 441/27. The world didn't end. The Villages didn't become a horrible place to live. If anything it became better.

[skyguy79]

There is a piece of land that is parallel to 466A across from TV library that has been for sale for a while and looks like about 900 acres to me. There was also a recent construction update in The Sun that said they were widening County Rd 462 which intersects 466A at the corner of that vacant land and continues out to intersect 301.If this rumor were true and there were 900 acres available, it would have to be in Lake Co. There's nothing near that size area available in Sumter Co.

I've checked along 466a from the Lake Co. line to Rt 301 and the largest parcel showing is approx. 130 acres and it's just east of Powell Rd on the north side of 466a. The largest contiguous parcels (7) at the NE corner of 466a & Powell is approx. 325 acres or less. This is shown on the attached map.

So my conclusion is that I don't see the expansion possible in Sumter Co. and I've heard many times that TV will not build any more homes in Lake Co. for whatever their reason is.

[JP]

Thanks for the info!

[Patty55]

Maybe the land isn't vacant yet.

[marianne237]

We have a home on the west end of Poinciana and enjoyed sitting in our lanai in the evenings listening to the cows and coyotes howling. The land was open and the sunsets just beautiful.....then St. James was built and the golf course and no more quiet evenings, but new neighbors who are delightful. Enjoy what you have now, and look forward to enjoying what comes next.

[mmatcg]

Regarding the parcels on the northeast quadrant of CR 462 and CR 466-A,

they are likely to be developed into commercials.

here's some pictures.


http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/1/6/B/16B40CE9-34B6-4584-8541-B749F5EF0A04_tn.jpg

http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/4/B/7/4B71D167-AED2-447E-9202-7DBFE2549FA9_tn.jpg

http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/A/E/F/AEFCE649-8D79-4C89-8181-EB0EBDBD6DA2_tn.jpg

http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/C/0/4/C0452D72-858B-4C5E-9804-C7057B2A85E3_tn.jpg



Lot B (In red) is located across 466-A from New County Government Offices and is currently under contract.

Seems different parties will be acquiring the parcels for different uses.

[Russ_Boston]

So my conclusion is that I don't see the expansion possible in Sumter Co. and I've heard many times that TV will not build any more homes in Lake Co. for whatever their reason is.

I remember hearing that Lake County would not allow it. But yes there are many thousands of acres to the east of the power lines in Lake County that are currently for sale. Who knows, maybe someday Lake will realize all the tax revenue they get yet not have to provide schools? Seems like a no-brainer to me.

[spk7951]

I am very interested in any information people on TOTV might have on this subject because I built a house about nine months ago in the village of St. James that is nearby to what I believe is the land in question. I love the location but especially like it because I get to sit out on my lanai at night and listen to the cows baying/mooing. Just wanted to prepare myself for not having my baying/mooing "buddies" around anymore. Maybe my neighbors would pick up the slack?


While there has been a For Sale sign on that property for some time it was approved, last year, by Wildwood for commercial and business use. Trailwinds Village info can be found starting on page 75 of the link below:
http://www.wildwood-fl.gov/vertical/Sites/%7B2B1FDA13-2F94-4097-8D07-352D07554D9B%7D/uploads/2012.02.27_Complete_Agenda_Packet_-_255_pgs.pdf

[keithwand]

I have it on good authority that it will be a nuclear energy plant and not a Macys across from the library.
My friend "Mr. Potter" is willing to pay pennies on the dollars to those wishing to sell.
How's that for a rumor?

[NotGolfer]

Again....at The Village's annual meeting in the Savannah Center, last year, Mark Morse told the audience not to believe rumors! He said believe it when you hear it from me! He said too many are generated and they come from "I heard somewhere that....." So as Gracie said "welcome to TOTV"!!! :-)

[Cisco Kid]

Sounds like a cover up.
:censored:

[mmatcg]

We have a home on the west end of Poinciana and enjoyed sitting in our lanai in the evenings listening to the cows and coyotes howling. The land was open and the sunsets just beautiful.....then St. James was built and the golf course and no more quiet evenings, but new neighbors who are delightful. Enjoy what you have now, and look forward to enjoying what comes next.

In one way, i am sure that new commercials will alleviate a lot of pressure Colony Plaza faces.

In another way, people enjoy open space, wild life, and privacy.
Not sure which way to go. :confused:

[Cisco Kid]

Mall of America II maybe
:thumbup:

[Grannynance]

Making 462 to 301 a four lane is old news that was floated by mayor Wolfe (of wildwood) his thought was that some of the housing developer on 462 should share the expense. Where do you think that went? Like Larry the cable man said ( get her done)

[JP]

Interesting

[Jasper1963]

Good morning fellow rumor mongers! Don't you just love it. (I don't know why some folks here don't want rumors posted. We wouldn't have anything to talk about it they weren't, lol)

First, I agree with Gracie, despite all my questioning of EVERYTHING, there is nothing wrong with the growth this company is doing as long as they handle it well; and handling it well is judged by sales, and the satisfaction of existing owners. (btw, Gracie, what are you doing posting at 3 in the morning girl?) Someone complained, I think in another thread that TV kept building, but wasn't building any new golf courses. Perhaps I'm missing something but to my eye it seems they are building lots of new courses south of 466A. There seem to be more pools, rec centers, etc, especially compared to north of 466.

As to rumors, let me point out something from the world we all love so much, politics. Trial balloons are a staple of politics. You spread a rumor just to see how it flies. After much research you'll see that many, if not most political rumors are started either by the party involved for the trial balloon purpose, or unfortunately the other side just to do damage. I wouldn't see how the developer would benefit from the latter.

So much of what you hear may be rooted in fact, at least in the early planning stages. It doesn't mean it's actually going to happen. I know we all want Macy's, etc. However, we suffer from an unusual problem, we are the wrong demographic for many stores. Clothing is bought mostly by my 19 year old daughter. (I don't mean all 19 year olds, I mean mine specifically is buying most of the clothes in the country!!!) We cannot offer that to them. They not only sell most of their clothes to younger people, they can get away with higher markups on trendy brands. Say one thing for us old folks, we know how to look at a price tag. And I don't know this for sure, but I remember someone saying TV insists on owning the land and just leasing it to these kind of businesses. Someone said that's why Walmart if so far west, because they wouldn't agree to this. Honestly I don't know if it's true, but it would certainly disuade some companies.

Also, someone mentioned the 900 acre rumor. Several days ago no one could prove that TV was NOT done expanding. We had a great thread about moving south of Lake Deaton. Just rumors. Within three days it was announced that TV had bought new land next to the lake and were building 350 new homes. So, whether trial balloons or leaked info, rumor almost always has some level of fact behind it.

As to the 900 acres across from the library. 900 acres would be around 1 mile by 1.5 miles. In looking at that field via Google Maps, it is no where near that big. Maybe 120 acres. Of course the 900 acres wouldn't have to be all in one piece. The only continuous spot I see, within Sumter County, near the southern expansion is between 44 and the turnpike and between 468 and the Lake County line. On Google it is mostly just woodlands. Of course these pictures are sometimes a couple of years old. This one shows housing being built almost to the north edge of Lake Deaton, and road building to and around Brownwood, but no building construction. So, it's probably between one and two years old.

So we can continue to watch, listen and speculate. I frankly don't mind it, because this affects all of us, residents, snow.... and wantabes alike.
The rumored 900 acres begin approximately across from The Shell Station and headed towards Fruitland Park Post Office

[Jasper1963]

Again....at The Village's annual meeting in the Savannah Center, last year, Mark Morse told the audience not to believe rumors! He said believe it when you hear it from me! He said too many are generated and they come from "I heard somewhere that....." So as Gracie said "welcome to TOTV"!!! :-)
In my 45 plus years of working in the Aerospace Business rumors are about 90% true.
We would just wait for confirmation from the brass.

[dengid]

I've noticed multiple for sale signs on 466A just east of the shell station on the south side of the road offering a 978 acre parcel

[Russ_Boston]

I've noticed multiple for sale signs on 466A just east of the shell station on the south side of the road offering a 978 acre parcel

I think this is Lake County and as mentioned I'm not sure TV can build anymore in Lake.

[skyguy79]

I've noticed multiple for sale signs on 466A just east of the shell station on the south side of the road offering a 978 acre parcelAs someone previously mentioned, the for sale signs east of the Lake Co. line have been there for quite some time!

[Jasper1963]

Means nothing if the land has been sold

[skyguy79]

Means nothing if the land has been soldIf you search the Lake Co. Appraisers website, you'll find that most of the open land along 466a is owned by Pine Ridge Dairy Inc. and nothing by any of the Villages companies.

[Virtual Geezer]

The land on the north east side of 466a and Powell Rd (across from the muni building and library) is already in the planning stages and NOT by TV. There was a thread some months ago regarding Wildwood changing some laws to allow golf carts to have access to that area. In that thread were some links to public filings regarding the apartment / shopping / medical office plans for that area.

Also from the looks of things on the planning documents this area will NOT have golf cart access to TV.

I will try to search for the thread but I never have any luck with the search function on TOTV.

VG

[angiefox10]

The land on the north east side of 466a and Powell Rd (across from the muni building and library) is already in the planning stages and NOT by TV. There was a thread some months ago regarding Wildwood changing some laws to allow golf carts to have access to that area. In that thread were some links to public filings regarding the apartment / shopping / medical office plans for that area.

Also from the looks of things on the planning documents this area will NOT have golf cart access to TV.

I will try to search for the thread but I never have any luck with the search function on TOTV.

VG

If this there... Bill n Brillo or Bogie Shooter can find it!

[Bobcuse]

Good morning fellow rumor mongers! Don't you just love it. (I don't know why some folks here don't want rumors posted. We wouldn't have anything to talk about it they weren't, lol)

First, I agree with Gracie, despite all my questioning of EVERYTHING, there is nothing wrong with the growth this company is doing as long as they handle it well; and handling it well is judged by sales, and the satisfaction of existing owners. (btw, Gracie, what are you doing posting at 3 in the morning girl?) Someone complained, I think in another thread that TV kept building, but wasn't building any new golf courses. Perhaps I'm missing something but to my eye it seems they are building lots of new courses south of 466A. There seem to be more pools, rec centers, etc, especially compared to north of 466.

As to rumors, let me point out something from the world we all love so much, politics. Trial balloons are a staple of politics. You spread a rumor just to see how it flies. After much research you'll see that many, if not most political rumors are started either by the party involved for the trial balloon purpose, or unfortunately the other side just to do damage. I wouldn't see how the developer would benefit from the latter.

So much of what you hear may be rooted in fact, at least in the early planning stages. It doesn't mean it's actually going to happen. I know we all want Macy's, etc. However, we suffer from an unusual problem, we are the wrong demographic for many stores. Clothing is bought mostly by my 19 year old daughter. (I don't mean all 19 year olds, I mean mine specifically is buying most of the clothes in the country!!!) We cannot offer that to them. They not only sell most of their clothes to younger people, they can get away with higher markups on trendy brands. Say one thing for us old folks, we know how to look at a price tag. And I don't know this for sure, but I remember someone saying TV insists on owning the land and just leasing it to these kind of businesses. Someone said that's why Walmart if so far west, because they wouldn't agree to this. Honestly I don't know if it's true, but it would certainly disuade some companies.

Also, someone mentioned the 900 acre rumor. Several days ago no one could prove that TV was NOT done expanding. We had a great thread about moving south of Lake Deaton. Just rumors. Within three days it was announced that TV had bought new land next to the lake and were building 350 new homes. So, whether trial balloons or leaked info, rumor almost always has some level of fact behind it.

As to the 900 acres across from the library. 900 acres would be around 1 mile by 1.5 miles. In looking at that field via Google Maps, it is no where near that big. Maybe 120 acres. Of course the 900 acres wouldn't have to be all in one piece. The only continuous spot I see, within Sumter County, near the southern expansion is between 44 and the turnpike and between 468 and the Lake County line. On Google it is mostly just woodlands. Of course these pictures are sometimes a couple of years old. This one shows housing being built almost to the north edge of Lake Deaton, and road building to and around Brownwood, but no building construction. So, it's probably between one and two years old.

So we can continue to watch, listen and speculate. I frankly don't mind it, because this affects all of us, residents, snow.... and wantabes alike.

Good post. Very interesting. My only rebuttal would be that I frequently site in the entrance to Belk's waiting for my wife as I read and I observe a steady stream of "over age 19" ladies coming in and then leaving with lots and lots of bags of merchandise. If I were Macy's, I'd find a way to participate in the thriving market. I remember a year ago (maybe 2) when Belk underwent a 40,000 sq foot expansion and they still are jammed with shoppers!

[mulligan]

The cost of building a Belk's, and building a Macy's are world's apart. Having been involved in the store fixture business for a few years, the difference is amazing, with Macy's being several steps upscale. Hard to justify the expense given the local demographic.

[Bobcuse]

The cost of building a Belk's, and building a Macy's are world's apart. Having been involved in the store fixture business for a few years, the difference is amazing, with Macy's being several steps upscale. Hard to justify the expense given the local demographic.

Thanks for your input. I never realized there was any significant difference in store construction costs. I can certainly see the upscale look when visiting Macy's but didn't factor that into my thinking as far as building a new store.

[ohhappyday]

Good post. Very interesting. My only rebuttal would be that I frequently site in the entrance to Belk's waiting for my wife as I read and I observe a steady stream of "over age 19" ladies coming in and then leaving with lots and lots of bags of merchandise. If I were Macy's, I'd find a way to participate in the thriving market. I remember a year ago (maybe 2) when Belk underwent a 40,000 sq foot expansion and they still are jammed with shoppers!

Build it and they will come :) I would like to see a mall with anchor stores. The one in Leesburg is out of the way and piddly. You have not only the villages but lady lake to support them.

Something I wanted to add to "fan" the conversation. I saw in the Leesburg paper about the meeting to bring rolling acres all the way to 44 as a bypass that someone made the comment that the land south of 466a over that away was bought by the morses. The folks there could not comment on that..LOL. Gotta love it. However there should be a way to access public records of land sales if this were true....

[janmcn]

I have a hunch that the big companies, including Publix, want nothing to do with The Villages Inc until the IRS suit is settled. I base my hunch on the fact that Publix has not opened a new store since Easter 2007, nine months before the investigation was announced.

From 2001 to 2007, four grocery stores opened: Alberston's in Spanish Plaines in 2001 or 2002 (which is now a Publix), Publix in Mulberry Grove in 2003, Publix in Southern Trace in 2004, and Publix at Colony in 2007.

When The Villages and the IRS are mentioned in the same sentence, big companies are probably saying we'll sit this one out and see what happens IMO.

[Rickg]

Can someone tell us a little about "the suit"

[janmcn]

Can someone tell us a little about "the suit"

There are many threads you can search for on this forum or google IRS vs The Villages.

[travelguy]

...a partial quote from another writer....So much of what you hear may be rooted in fact, at least in the early planning stages. It doesn't mean it's actually going to happen. I know we all want Macy's, etc. However, we suffer from an unusual problem, we are the wrong demographic for many stores. Clothing is bought mostly by my 19 year old daughter. (I don't mean all 19 year olds, I mean mine specifically is buying most of the clothes in the country!!!) We cannot offer that to them. They not only sell most of their clothes to younger people, they can get away with higher markups on trendy brands. Say one thing for us old folks, we know how to look at a price tag.

you said it all...we are the wrong demographic. Belk just recently added a Juniors department, but their Children's department has always been an underperformer. In order to be successful a deparmtnet store should offer their entire assortment. For a Mall to be successful they have to have all sorts of stores, mixed appeal....can you imagine a store such as Hot Topic or Pacific Sunwear, but those stores have to be represented in most mall duel to contractual agreements with the mall developers. It won't happen here.....it makes no economic sense.

[Russ_Boston]

I have a hunch that the big companies, including Publix, want nothing to do with The Villages Inc until the IRS suit is settled. I base my hunch on the fact that Publix has not opened a new store since Easter 2007, nine months before the investigation was announced.

From 2001 to 2007, four grocery stores opened: Alberston's in Spanish Plaines in 2001 or 2002 (which is now a Publix), Publix in Mulberry Grove in 2003, Publix in Southern Trace in 2004, and Publix at Colony in 2007.

When The Villages and the IRS are mentioned in the same sentence, big companies are probably saying we'll sit this one out and see what happens IMO.

DO you really think that even a negative outcome on the IRS issue will have folks leaving TV? TV is almost 100% complete give or take 2.5 years. I doubt that a negative judgment will make us a ghost town (would you really leave even if it cost everyone a couple of grand). Publix is actively pursing their new site. They are going to make a decision about location in the very near future and I assure you it has to do with population statistics and demographics and not the IRS issue.

[Rickg]

DO you really think that even a negative outcome on the IRS issue will have folks leaving TV? TV is almost 100% complete give or take 2.5 years. I doubt that a negative judgment will make us a ghost town (would you really leave even if it cost everyone a couple of grand). Publix is actively pursing their new site. They are going to make a decision about location in the very near future and I assure you it has to do with population statistics and demographics and not the IRS issue.

I agree, It's a business decision

[Indydealmaker]

In our lifetime, the endgame of the IRS negotiations is a non-issue.

[janmcn]

DO you really think that even a negative outcome on the IRS issue will have folks leaving TV? TV is almost 100% complete give or take 2.5 years. I doubt that a negative judgment will make us a ghost town (would you really leave even if it cost everyone a couple of grand). Publix is actively pursing their new site. They are going to make a decision about location in the very near future and I assure you it has to do with population statistics and demographics and not the IRS issue.

What has taken them so long? As you can see in my previous post, they opened a new store every year or two in the past. The stores always were built and opened before the houses were built. They haven't opened a new store for six years.

[Russ_Boston]

What has taken them so long? As you can see in my previous post, they opened a new store every year or two in the past. The stores always were built and opened before the houses were built. They haven't opened a new store for six years.

My wife works there (doesn't necessarily mean the employees know much but...) and the scuttlebutt is that they are deciding between two very different locations south of 466a. Their Colony store, the one Linda works at, has become, by far, the busiest in the district. The know they need a new one and soon. Let's remember that the area south of 466a is the smallest of the sections population wise.

[Indy-Guy]

What has taken them so long? As you can see in my previous post, they opened a new store every year or two in the past. The stores always were built and opened before the houses were built. They haven't opened a new store for six years.

I purchased near Cane Garden CC in 2005 and moved here full time in 2007. In 2007 Sweetbay or Publix at Colony were not there. Our closest grocery store was Publix at Southern Trace. So for your comment that that they always open the stores before the houses are built I would not agree with. Perhaps they were there when your house was built.

[justjim]

Lake county is considering a 5 cent increase in their gasoline tax to improve roads such as 466A---moving the widening of 466A forward to next year. Marion county has already increased their tax on gas. Will Sumter county follow? Good question---time will tell---if Lake county approves (and that is a big if because a lot of south lake county commutes everyday to Orlando) Sumter could follow. Bottom line---the widening of 466A certainly makes the vacant land along 466A between 462 and Bunea Vista blvd. more valuable regardless who owns it. One final thought, until you have the ability to provide sewer, water etc. to a piece of land you just have a piece of land that has limited use. TV developer could do that and quickly.

[janmcn]

I purchased near Cane Garden CC in 2005 and moved here full time in 2007. In 2007 Sweetbay or Publix at Colony were not there. Our closest grocery store was Publix at Southern Trace. So for your comment that that they always open the stores before the houses are built I would not agree with. Perhaps they were there when your house was built.

Some people come early to a neighborhood and some people come later, so there are going to be exceptions, but ask the majority of people that built homes in Marion County if the Mulberry Grove Publix was open when they moved in.

Ask the majority of people that bought homes in Summerhill, Belvedere, Ashland, Bonnybrook, Lynnhaven, Winifred, and Bridgeport if the Southern Trace Publix was open when they moved in.

Ask the majority of people that bought homes in Hadley, Hemingway, Amelia, St Charles, St James, Sanibel, Bonita, Ferdandina if the Colony Publix was open when they moved in.

[Russ_Boston]

Some people come early to a neighborhood and some people come later, so there are going to be exceptions, but ask the majority of people that built homes in Marion County if the Mulberry Grove Publix was open when they moved in.

Ask the majority of people that bought homes in Summerhill, Belvedere, Ashland, Bonnybrook, Lynnhaven, Winifred, and Bridgeport if the Southern Trace Publix was open when they moved in.

Ask the majority of people that bought homes in Hadley, Hemingway, Amelia, St Charles, St James, Sanibel, Bonita, Ferdandina if the Colony Publix was open when they moved in.

Sounds like we'd have a good bet. You seem intent that they will not build another Publix or Sweetbay or other grocery until the IRS issue is settled. I'll give you 5 to 1 that there is at least 1 announced within the year and 2 to 1 that more than one grocery stores are announced within 2 years in the 466a - 44 area even without a settlement.

In case anyone missed it - TVRH is going to add 95 beds to the existing hospital instead of starting the permit in the Brownwood area. Nothing to do with the IRS but more of a cost benefit analysis in utilizing existing infrastructure etc. We are still holding the state permit (65 beds) for the Brownwood site but no action is planned for the foreseeable future (3-4 years is my guess)

[Villages Kahuna]

I am sure that owners of property around here have lotsa land they want to sell to the developers but the asking prices are so high that it would not be feasible to buy it and keep the homes in the existing price range.

So those owners will probably continue to keep their land. The developers don't seem to be stupid.

AND do NOT believe all you read on this forum. It contains so many rumors and so much misinformation that it makes my head spin and is ONE of the reasons I post so much.You hit it on the button, Gracie. The developer knows exactly how much he can afford to pay for land and based on the density of units he has planned for an area, and whether or not he can hit the price point that will be attractive to prospective buyers. If he pays too much, he can't produce units that will be priced attractively. So the answer is easy, and very apparent if you look around The Villages. There are lots of parcels that one looks at and says, "...why didn't The Villages buy that land?" Heck, my house backs up on 13 acres that is exactly in that category.

The developer does the obvious, makes one last and final offer and if not accepted, he just moves on or around the property in question. That leaves the greedy property owners with land that isn't even worth what TV might have offered. Take a look at the corner farm property on the northwest corner facing Brownwood. I predict that parcel will remain as a farmhouse for a long, long time. Now that Brownwood is built and all the access roads placed and in use, that parcel is well off the beaten path for a commercial site for just about anything.

[downeaster]

You hit it on the button, Gracie. The developer knows exactly how much he can afford to pay for land and based on the density of units he has planned for an area, and whether or not he can hit the price point that will be attractive to prospective buyers. If he pays too much, he can't produce units that will be priced attractively. So the answer is easy, and very apparent if you look around The Villages. There are lots of parcels that one looks at and says, "...why didn't The Villages buy that land?" Heck, my house backs up on 13 acres that is exactly in that category.

The developer does the obvious, makes one last and final offer and if not accepted, he just moves on or around the property in question. That leaves the greedy property owners with land that isn't even worth what TV might have offered. Take a look at the corner farm property on the northwest corner facing Brownwood. I predict that parcel will remain as a farmhouse for a long, long time. Now that Brownwood is built and all the access roads placed and in use, that parcel is well off the beaten path for a commercial site for just about anything.

There are many reasons a property owner may not want to sell and greed may not be one of them.

[spk7951]

Ask the majority of people that bought homes in Hadley, Hemingway, Amelia, St Charles, St James, Sanibel, Bonita, Ferdandina if the Colony Publix was open when they moved in.


We bought in Hadley in July of 2008 and the Colony Publix was already open. The other villages you mention were developed after Hadley.

[pauld315]

I once asked one of the longtime sales associate about the possibility of TV buying more land and thus going beyond the 110,000 build out projection. He said he had not heard of anything like that. He also said if they were going to continue building they would have to have the land years (believe he said something like 5 years) in advance due to all the permitting, environmental impact studies and planning required before they could even begin and turn the first shovelful of earth.. He felt it was beyond the time where they could buy additional land and continue without a long break in building activity. I was told this 2 years ago. Makes sense to me.

[graciegirl]

I have a hunch that the big companies, including Publix, want nothing to do with The Villages Inc until the IRS suit is settled. I base my hunch on the fact that Publix has not opened a new store since Easter 2007, nine months before the investigation was announced.

From 2001 to 2007, four grocery stores opened: Alberston's in Spanish Plaines in 2001 or 2002 (which is now a Publix), Publix in Mulberry Grove in 2003, Publix in Southern Trace in 2004, and Publix at Colony in 2007.

When The Villages and the IRS are mentioned in the same sentence, big companies are probably saying we'll sit this one out and see what happens IMO.

Been a lot of businesses added around here in the five years that the IRS inquiry began into the legality of not taxing bonds on the CDDs, It is not a law suit.

Some that immediatly come to mind are Sams Club, Kohls, Michaels and Joanns. Just trying to keep things straight.

[janmcn]

Been a lot of businesses added around here in the five years that the IRS inquiry began into the legality of not taxing bonds on the CDDs, It is not a law suit.

Some that immediatly come to mind are Sams Club, Kohls, Michaels and Joanns. Just trying to keep things straight.

The large corporations that you mention, along with Publix, probably have legal departments that looked into the inquiry and don't have to rely on my hunch before making a business decision.

[TrudyM]

Macy's took a trial at a smaller store concept in Helena Montana when I worked for them (We were under the Bon Marche label then but still part of Federated dept stores that changed it's name to Macys)
There was a discussion of having smaller regionally merchandise targeted stores added to the regular lineup. However that requires more hands on individualized purchasing and Macys has closed all it's regional buying operations and centralized everything to New York in 2009. They have some regional merchandise planners but for instance they replaced 750 buyers planners for our 56 stores with 60 people It is my understanding that since doing this the company is looking at closing smaller market stores not opening more. It has been closing stores every year. It closed 9 in 2012 and plans to close 6 in the spring 2013. Although I haven't kept on top of things since my forced retirement I don't think it looks good.
Brick and Morter stores are having trouble making their margins when they have to price compete with the internet. Retail has been hard hit in recent years ( started in 2007 going down hill) and only had a slight recovery in the last six months but still not enough in my opinion to give big box retail the shot it needs to get out of the hole.

Trudy (formerly planning/Buying office Macys Northwest)

[GaryW]

One going in on 466a by Sumter Service Center on Burnsed Blvd.

[mulligan]

One what ?

[gomoho]

One what ?

Perhaps they are referring to the new assisted living facility slated to be built in that area?

[BogeyBoy]

Perhaps they are referring to the new assisted living facility slated to be built in that area?

Or the sign that used to be there about the new Sweetbay.