Brownwood location- what were they thinking?!!
 

My wife & I drove down to where the new Brownwood square is being built and were shocked to see that it was in the furthest Southeast corner of TV property. What were they thinking? Even people in Sanibel and other villages south of 466A will have a trek down there never mind us that are north of it. I just don't get it- you would think it would be located halfway between Morse & Buena Vista (east to west) and halfway between 466A and the southern most route (north to south) in order to maximize the number of Villagers that would have easy access to it. I guess they're not marketing just to TVers.

It's very convenient for people who live in Wildwood.

Maybe the powers to be thought it would be nice to include the local people in all the fun

Personally, I would not like to be that close to Wildwood. Most of Wildwood is kind of a "dicey" area.

Here's a guess for you:
The Morse's have purchased large tracts of land between Rt 44 and the Turnpike.

Most??? What does that mean?

What does "most" mean? It means quite a bit. I definitely would not walk around Wildwood after 10 pm. I have no problem walking in The Villages after 10 pm. How about you?

I remember reading that there is a collaborative agreement between TV and Wildwood for economic development in that area. The businesses that will lease in Brownwood aren't going to turn a customer away because they don't have a Villages ID, and the easier access for non-villages residents is more of a plus in their eyes than a minus. .

For those who are concerned about being so close to Wildwood, would you rather have homes in that area? Plus, it appears most of the problems occur west of 301 according to the police blotter.

I was thinking on the original comment. When SS was built that is on the far other side of TV on 441/27. We don't know exactly what the "lay of the land" was back in the day!!! Now look at it...it looks like it's been there "forever"!! I fully think that "the powers that be" have a plan that will work just fine. Some day we all will go "WOW"!!! It's a process to build something and create out of basically "nothing". We all get to watch the process as it grows!!! I have NO fear that this will be something less than great!

I'm guessing it's going to be a while before Villagers use Brownwood on a regular basis. It's going to be a long golf cart ride pass empty fields for a long time it seems. I know I'll check it out, but I don't think I'll be visiting it much until that vast area between 466A and Rt. 44 is developed and populated.

LSL was built just south of the populated areas of 466. The new development was built south of LSL. Wildwood is being built far from any development. I wonder how long it's going to be before the developments connect with this isolated town square called Brownwood.

I completely and absolutely agree with you. There was not a home past 466A just six months ago and now we have a large population of new villagers. Brownwood is closer to them than to previous residents, but that is the plan. It will be a LONG golf cart ride for them to Spanish Springs. It is all relative.

I never doubt how nice Brownwood will be, and convenient and close to many, just like the rest of the place.

Wildwood like a lot of small towns is not as pretty as a lot of other places and none like what we all are used to here in the bubble.

It is a typical FL town that progress has caught up with. There are an awful lot of very nice people that are somebody's Mom or Dad or sister or brother or friend, etc.

And yes one should exercise good judgement for safety in areas of uncertainty.

The town of Wildwood does not deserve a bad "rep" because it is not as pretty or affluent and certainly should not be judged negatively based on the actions of a few....no different than we would not want TV to be judged negatively for the few baddies.

We are all victims of our environment.

btk

I agree. Also, most people in Wildwood are good people.

changes
 

In the 2 1/2 years we've been here Wildwood has come a long way. We've had this discussion before. Your right it's not as pretty as TV but it is changing. New housing has been approved for that area as well. Rt 44 is going to be growing. Besides Brownwood the new Mall property is cleared which is just west of Brownwood.Brownwood will be open this fall. The EZ go golf cart store is behind Butter Bean, there's a Dry cleaner opening next to the Outdoor Furniture store behind Spars. Give it time. If you drive down Buenna Vista and Morse there's a lot of changes every week. It looks like the new Fire House is started and new entrances for the newer areas are being built on Buena Vista. Yes it's a long ride but look at SS and how far that is for some of the residents living N/O 466 also a long ride. We're retired now a long ride is a good thing.

I guess it really doesn't affect me.

Our closest "neighborhood" town square is Spanish Springs (3 miles), so we usually go there for entertainment, dining, or just a nice walk around the square.

Occasionally (usually if there is a movie we want to see that is not offered in Spanish Springs or if we need a fix for our Starbuck's addiction) we'll head over to LSL.

I imagine that we will ocassionally make the trek to Brownwood, but I really feel like SS is our neighborhood downtown so I'm perfectly content going there the large majority of the time.

The distance really doesn't bother me. We regularly take day trips to Crystal River, Mt. Dora, Cedar Key, Clearwater, Orlando, St. Augustine etc. so a 20-25 minute jaunt to Brownwood doesn't seem like that big a deal (asuming there is anything there that I feel compelled to visit).

That would be cool! Who knows.................????

Bill :)

A lot of people think that they are a lot better than everyone else.
drd

Exactly .....:agree:

Anybody who makes as much noney as the Morse family has a pretty good idea of what they are doing
drd

Yes to Village of St. James
 

...and if you're lucky enough to live in the wonderful Village of St. James, you'll have the best of both worlds.
We are about halfway between LSL and Brownwood. :thumbup:

A contractor doing work on my home a few weeks ago mentioned something like: "TV has purchased 2500 acres for 400 million dollars". He wasn't exactly sure of the location but did say that he heard it was abutting the new 'south' area of TV. The math seems a little high but that is what he said.

Anyone else heard this?

We bought a resale in Largo because it is a central location between SS and Brownwood!

:agree::agree::agree: Too!!!!!!!!!!

God-willing we are still living 10 years from now...we'll all be amazed at the developement that currently "isn't". I was in on a conversation the other day and heard that folks who live in Spanish Springs area think anything south of LSl is "far". So what?? They have their town square and shopping areas up there. What's happening on 44 will be for the south-end mostly. Wildwood will fare well with all the commerce.

When we first moved here 2 1/2 years ago, we heard that this tri-county area is/was very, very depressed and the folks living in it b/4 TV were VERY happy to have "us" all come here because of the opportunity TV has given them. THINK the jobs etc. I haven't gotten the privilege to chat with anyone who bought in "the historic" side maybe 20 years ago and have watched all the progress. Wonder what their thoughts are??!!! But I have chatted with folks who bought in Mallory some years back who are amazed at all that's gone in south of them in a few short years! We're privilege to have such a place as The Villages to retire to!!! Don't know why "some" have to find negativity and criticism in LIFE!!!!

I absolutely agree!

I haven't had the experience of retirement yet but I thought that part of the idea is that my time is my own. I can be as busy or as lazy as I want. I think that going by golf cart or driving anywhere in TV is part of the adventure no matter how near or far. Just saying !!!!

A large Villages contactor also told me 15 months ago that their employees were all told not to worry about when the Villages buildout would end because there was another huge residential development project already planned for south and west of Wildwood out Rt 44 for several square miles (I foget how many but something that would provide jobs for a 5-10 year period). This project was awaiting the buildout of The Villages to be completed which would free up the construction workers for the new project.

And you, too, have the best of both worlds. :coolsmiley:

Simple, they wanted to attract and maintain successful businesses in the square. In return The Villages have the benefit of some great stores and services.

The Villages is full of snowbirds who bolster the economy for only a few months each year. That is not successful strategy for maintaining commercial businesses. It must draw from the local area and nearby highway traffic to survive.

There are several posts above regarding the amount of land the developer owns south of CR44. "I understand, I've been told, I heard". Does anyone have any factual information on this subject, like Sumter county property records???

Is Morse going to build Electric plug in stations for our golf carts?

That would be my guess. Lookout Key West here we come. :icon_wink:

It's just as far from my house (Hemingway) to Spanish Springs, and harder to get to.

I see a couple of references to the Morse's purchasing land. They do own land near the Turnpike which will be used for the on and off ramps, maybe some business opportunities there - gas stations, fast food, etc. This location is quite a distance from the new town center and what is understood to be the planned buildout - north of 44.

Large vacant land seems to be owned by various companies. Quest Industries, Orlando - looks like the land was purchased in 2003 for future development. Wildwood Villages - this vacant land adjoins a mobile home park (Wildwood Villages). Some property owned by someone in Texas (the old Texas rumor!). The name Bailey shows on some property further east - near where Morse will lead to 468 and down to the Turnpike.

There are other owners, but these seem to be the biggest players. Building south of 44 would be interesting, there are businesses, established housing areas, etc.

Do you honestly think for 1 minute that the incredibly visionary Morse family would not have a major development plan for the entire Brownwood area.Everything they do does not center strictly on TV,a regional plan could be part of their future.I cannot believe so many are concerned about distances and golf cart travel,how about using your automobile once in awhile,and get out of your "little bubble."Finally, what Wildwood needs is jobs,especially for their youth, and Brownwood would provide numerous opportunities for employment.

:clap2: