Breaking Ground on New Walmart
 

To all those who are hoping for more retail south of 44, the new Walmart site on the corner of Morse and 44 has earth movers on site and a chain link fence with covering has been placed around the perimeter. It seems they are moving fast.

It’s an exciting time with our Target looking like a Target, the Outback awaiting staff and construction going on on a lot of retail.

Traffic jams moving south, LOL

You didn’t mention Hooters.

Hope they add lanes to Morse Blvd south crossing 44. At times the traffic is backed up past the roundabout at Kristine Way. In fact, this should be done before Walmart opens.

The consensus on social media is that the traffic signals timing is way off or that the sensors are bad. A right turn lane would help too.

Who is going to pay for the road improvements for the 44 super Walmart and the new Costco just off 466? If not Walmart and Costco, it likely will be us Villagers.

Business Taxes and Impact Fee
 

I’m sure the revenue taxes could easily pay for the improvements.

Wonder how they got the okay to tie into the sewer system hold prior to 2027. This project was not approved until after Wildwood put a hold on new projects using the overworked sewage plant until 2027.

Any chance for a golf access (assuming it will require a bridge over Morse south of 44 from the chitty chatty path somewhere) to get there?

Bridge over Morse???

That 45/Morse corner looks like it will be a mess, but...

Who would have imagined 5-6 years ago the developer would complete golf cart bridges across 44 twice plus the two more over the Turnpike.

Or added tunnels under Warm Springs and the former 470.

Or completely remove/reroute much of 470 - adding multiple roundabouts.

Or three Charter Schools and have two huge commercial districts under construction at Middleton and Eastport simultaneously.

That Super Wallmart has probably been in planning those five years. So I wouldn't rule anything out at this point ;-)

Someone will get to 44/Morse new Walmart by cart, legal or not. This afternoon a rental cart crossed 44 at BV, (pressed the walk button) then continued on the side of 44, :pepper2: Not sure how far they got, because WPD was right beside them on 44 with lights and short whoop whoop siren.

I think they are going to need a bridge over 44.

The land is owned by the Villages. The Villages sewer system will likely be used not the City of Wildwood.
Apparently Walmart will have a ground lease and not own the property, just like Walmart Neighborhood Market.

Already a bridge over 44 to CC. Retail in that corner has already been in the works for many years. I highly doubt adding more lanes are in the plans and why cart bridge, no money to be made by the build. Living south of 44 we won’t cart to the new Walmart. Their fuel for our car would be the only reason to stop. Anything else from Walmart if I was in need just comes to my front door, same day if needed. Last night at 7pm ordered baking items, and things to make 3 appetizers for gathering today. My cameras just went off, time to put away the groceries

[QUOTE=Normal;2407505]To all those who are hoping for more retail south of 44, the new Walmart site on the corner of Morse and 44 has earth movers on site and a chain link fence with covering has been placed around the perimeter. It seems they are moving fast.

It’s an exciting time with our Target looking like a Target, the Outback awaiting staff and construction going on on a lot of retail.[/QUOTE

Business standpoints
 

What possible gains for the developer would there be to adding a golf cart bridge?

The access only to Walmart? There is The Villages Grown which could be converted over to….?

Access to The Continental Golf Club? Access to Sandalwood Condos? Possible buy out of the trailer court and Okahumpka? If it happens, other stars would need to align for sure. IMHO I don’t think it would be a wise move. All of a sudden Continental Country Club carts would have access to the golf cart system of The Villages?

Morse and 44 traffic a nightmare that needs attention
 

This whole intersection needs a major redo.
Morse North and South need two (2) left & two (2) right turn lanes.
44 East and West need two (2) left & two (2) right turn lanes.

Roads at 44 & Morse need widened
 

When are they going to improve all the LEFT turn lanes at hwy 44 & Morse. All the Left turn lanes need to be 2 lanes wide & lengthened. We need infrastructure improved. I have waited 4 lights to get thru this intersection going South bound.

Most locales have the incoming store pay for any improvement needs caused by the store.

Yes, your tax dollars at work. You do realize there are others in Sumter County besides Villagers who will be on the hook as well.

Installing a tunnel would be much cheaper and easier than a bridge. Not sure this will happen, but The Villages has historically been big on having their retail partners being golf cart accessible.

Yes, they’re going to build a $1M bridge just for you.

[QUOTE=Altavia;2407759]That 45/Morse corner looks like it will be a mess, but...

Who would have imagined 5-6 years ago the developer would complete golf cart bridges across 44 twice plus the two more over the Turnpike.

Or completely remove/reroute much of 470 - adding multiple roundabouts.

Or three Charter Schools and have two huge commercial districts under construction at Middleton and Eastport simultaneously.
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Not me...when I purchased home in Mallory in 2006, I was told we would someday be the MIDDLE of the Villages.

Our county commissioner says Walmart is supposed to but the problem exists now. What are you going to do for us Don.

Southbound Morse at 44 needs a dedicated right turn lane.

Why should the Villagers pay to expand a state highway SR44 and a county Road, Morse Blvd?

SR 44 (state "route" 44) at Morse Blvd is a Sumter County road, not a state road. I verified that with FDOT last year and posted an email from them. Look at Google maps.

It is County
 

It is a county road. The real issue was the planning of Morse Blvd. The circle at Kristine Way causes a backup as drivers opt to continue strait southbound in the left lane. I’ve seen the backup extend past the circle because cars are forced to stop in the circle in order to continue south.

I really don't see why a tunnel couldn't be added to go under Morse. It doesn't seem that much more complex than most of the other tunnels along Morse or Buena Vista.

Show me a sign that says CR 44 anywhere.

Here is the email I received from FDOT:

Dear Requestor:

Good afternoon.

Thank you for reaching out to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) regarding State Road 44 in The Villages.

After some research I was able to determine that west of the intersection of S.R.44 and Buena Vista Drive/Heritage Boulevard the roadway is managed by the State and is designated S.R. 44. East of the intersection the roadway is managed by the county and designated E. C.R. 44.

Morse Boulevard is at the intersection of E.C.R. 44.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Thank you,

Florida Department of Transportation
719 South Woodland Boulevard
DeLand, Florida 32720
melanie.hand@dot.state.fl.us

Also, both the Google Maps and The Villages maps show the road as CR 44. I was told that the sign on the road that says "SR 44" means "state route 44" not state road 44. It is designated as a state route, but in some areas it is a county road, not a state road. At the intersection of Morse Blvd and Rt 44, it is a county road that is owned and maintained by Sumter County. It is not a state road.

I mean a Morse Blvd bridge over 44 with golf cart lane accessed at Soaring Eagle. I don't' see another way to give the Walmart golf cart access. That is not going to happen.

The developer already mentioned that area is too wet for a tunnel.

We’ll have to see. It will be difficult to find a good location for a bridge in that congested area.

What would make more sense would be a crossing on Morse, perhaps near the Sandalwood condos. A red light at that intersection would slow down traffic and a crossing there would connect VPSD Station 47 too. There are issues to resolve and approvals to get but it would make sense.