Construction Update #121 – Richmond is history, Newell is IN! – 1/21/23
 

Here’s a first look for 2023 at the construction happening here in The Villages. We’ll look at the new Sprouts and Hobby Lobby work, the Trailwinds and Beaumont area, CVS & Home Depot site, the VIP Garage, 7-11 at Magnolia Plaza, the Buena Vista extension, Lake Deaton Plaza, Richmond, Sawgrass Grove, Newell, Eastport, and Middleton. A list of areas shown is in the YouTube Video description.
I hope you enjoy the video and remember to support my sponsors.

https://youtu.be/VQnIAMDkaaA

Great info Don, thanks so much!

Any updates on what is going in just north of the prison across from Monarch Grove?

Hey Don, any chance you can dial back those ads in your videos. No problem making a few bucks with your YT channel but sometimes their almost unwatchable.

I suppose he could set it up as a member only, and charge to view.
Come on man, over the past few years Don's videos have been a great source of information as to what is going on.
I for one can accept the ads...........

I agree...the infrequent interruption by the ads far outweighs the value I get from these videos. Considering all the time that goes into 1) shooting the videos and 2) editing the final video, I'd say it's a VERY cheap price to pay.

Also need to differentiate between the ads Don can control (majic stairs, 24 hour cart service, AC filter, etc) and the ones he cant - that YouTube insert based on an algorithm.

I think Don does a great job fitting in his ads.

BTW, I was able to name 3 of his advertisers off my head, the other one is the AC company that puts in the Mitsubishi system and rent from a villager. so his ads work.

I have no problem with the ads, the seem honest and informative.

There is a 10 second skip ahead function for those you don't want to see again.

Oooh, didI hear a new town square/commercial area in Middleton?

Yes, primarily for the unrestricted age housing, but anyone will be able use it...

Great stuff, Don. Thanks for ALL that you do.

Don..........a true professional and a quality person, for sure.

Another informative video! Looking forward to your Spring Fling Event you spoke about in your video on March 18th at the Polo fields! Such a wonderful cause. :a040:

Thanks Don, great video as well as informative. Don makes some great and informative videos especially for the south area. As I am a newbie here and only been here a year part time. it is a great source of information .
As I believe, anybody would agree that being new to the villages can be quite overwhelming. But his videos are a great source of information. As far as the commercial goes some are his and some are YouTube, you can avoid the YouTube commercials, by paying for a premium on YouTube. As far as his ads goes, he should be paid for his time just like everybody should be. The one correction I would make his. Richmond still has houses for sale, but not very many.
And if you are looking for Richmond or anywhere else, I recommend the villages app and search their homes. every business day It is updated. As I check it daily. Again great video and great information thank you Don sorry I will not be here in March for the spring thing.

According to the City of Wildwood Planning agenda, it will be 124 single family residences and a small shopping center in front along MBT.

Thank goodness I live far, far north of the construction. Honestly, I don't care about the "progress." Remember people, all this means is more people, more traffic, and with it, an eventual permanent uptick in crime.

Crime has really skyrocketed, it started with the development south of 466A, and it’s been really bad with everything south of 44.
Seriously, some people live in bizzaro world

Does anyone know what is going to happen in a new section right off of rt470. It's on the left side as your going into Leesburg.
I see all kinds of construction vehicles and the area is quite a ways away from the Turnpike.

There’s a hospital going in somewhere down in that area.

Just remember, your area was “progress” at one time too.

Thanks!

There was an option to build multi-family or cottage homes so curious if a decision was made on that?

Thank you Don for another informative video!

Other than selling private merch, doesn't Youtube determine the ads? If you are monetized?

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I know that nobody likes ads, I hate them too but they have become a necessary evil. YouTube has control of the majority of the ads, and from them I earn about a penny a view, so a good preforming video nets me about $150-$200 from YouTube, before taxes, this video is doing particularly well so it's at the high end of that scale. I have the option of turning off the YouTube ads, I tried it once, yes the ads were reduced but they still put some on anyway, and the income I earned, less than a 10th of normal and people still complained.

My ads - the 2 full screen and 2 1/9ths pay a little better, and the popups are a little bit of help. After working on my books for a few days now it looks like I might break even this year from just my ads. The money from my ads covers things like batteries ($100-$210 each month), gas, drone repairs (crashed twice last year), and other expenses associated with producing the videos.

As I said in the video, everything I made from YouTube last year has gone to pay for the cost of renting the Polo Club for the Spring Thing. Actually, that's not completely accurate, it fell about $1500 short of covering the cost and that's before I figure my taxes (it was similar the year before for the 1st fundraiser). I didn't get any special pricing, nor did I attempt to get a discount from the developer for use of the facility (as some online have said on that other website). I didn't and don't do this because I cannot be objective in the material I present if I am beholden to them and for similar reasons based on my political position. Some may think differently on this point because I don't dwell on the negatives, they would be mistaken. I try not to be negative, there's already enough of that, if negative is what you want look to Next Door, some of the Facebook groups, and of course that other website, you'll find plenty there from just a handful of noisy disgruntled individuals.

As I've said, I'm not making much on these videos, certainly not to justify the time and effort required, so why do it? Two reasons, 1) I hate misinformation, and goodness knows there's plenty of that on the internet, and 2) I believe it's time to give back, life has been good and I have my health, so why not focus my energy on helping others, serving my community, and educating people. My wife tells me I'm failing at retirement, she's right, but I'll tell you this, I've achieved more personal satisfaction out of the work I've done for and in serving our community and helping people in the last few years since retiring than I did in the rest of my adult working life.

Nobody likes advertisements, I get it, if they bother you that much then please don't watch my videos, maybe you'll feel better, maybe not, only you can decide. As for me, it's getting late and it's time for a glass of Macallen Terra, have a great evening.

Hey Don, Haters are Gonna Hate! The way I look at it you don't owe anyone any explanation at all. You are a good guy who has helped so many and we both appreciate you.

Your videos did the impossible. It got us to move our lair from North to South and couldn't be happier. Thanks a Million, that's after taxes.

Keep up the good work. You sure have gotten to be an expert with that drone. I'm always impressed.

P.S. The turnpike noise is like music to our ears. We are finally sleeping like big old babies again.

Kind of like in My Cousin Vinney when Vinney gets thrown in jail and finally sleeps like a baby...

Wholeheartedly agree!

His videos, close to four years ago, made me confident enough to purchase a lot and build a home. Best decision I ever made.

The Developer should not underestimated the value of his videos to aid sales.

Most of all, Don is an truly a gentleman and a scholar.

Found the answer:

Eden Village to Offer 130 Residences at 2072 County Road 501, Wildwood, Florida, 34785 - Florida YIMBY

https://images1.loopnet.com/d2/bfC8e...w/document.pdf

Don your entitled to cover your expenses and make some money doing this. Do wish some of your advertisers would update their commercials though.

Working on it.

Or Lewis Black, when talking about the quiet after a snow storm in NYC...

"I hate the quiet. I love the city noise, it drowns out the voices in my head!"

I've been watching Don's videos since I first visited, staying with threads, some 3 1/2 years ago... They helped me choose where we wanted to buy,,,

Thanks for posting that.

My wife and I walked along Route 501 before then began building Linden and Monarch Grove and we noticed that land along 501 was not part of The Villages. We wondered what was going to be built there and now we know.

Keep up the great work, Don! Been a follower for years and love hearing the facts.

Disappointing how Wildwood let's random construction pop up anywhere - no sign of coordinated long range planning a is happening along Warm Springs now.

I wouldn't be surprised if Warm Springs looked like 466A 5-10 years from now.

Those of us who live down here can only hope we'll get services like that!