[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Normal

Will we ever get 470 back without all those roundabouts etc? The sooner, the better.

Not a chance. It's being changed permanently...

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Normal

Got it, so you think 470 was a huge safety problem and the Villages interpretation for their better good is more important than a straight road that has been there for 50 plus years for the rest of us.

Absolutely, 470 is a heavily traveled shoulderless rural 2 lane where many driving 70+.

Late passers often running people off the road with no shoulder.

Not unusual to be passed by someone doing 90+.

There were an average of three EMS/Fire respones a day. This has dropped to just a few a week.

Some incidents on the old design were serious/fatality centerline crossover accidents.

The difference in transit time from 470 at MBT to the Turnpike is less than 5 min at posted speed limit. And you can safely pass slow traffic since there are 4 Lanes.

Slow down and enjoy the ride.

[P A Paul]

To my knowledge, virtually everybody in TV is HERE by CHOICE. IF your CHOICE is to LEAVE, for whatever reason, you’ll PROFIT from your time here, and be replaced by someone who WANTS to be HERE.

[b0bd0herty]

During the rogue salesmen trial, Jennifer Parr said, under oath, that The Villages will double in size and that State Road 44 is now seen by the Morse family as the geographic center of the community.

[LadyDiva]

When property goes for sale anyone can purchase it, If the Villages don’t purchase it, someone else will and the building will continue. Nothing you or I can really do
about it, just grab your popcorn and sit back and relax and watch the show.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by b0bd0herty

During the rogue salesmen trial, Jennifer Parr said, under oath, that The Villages will double in size and that State Road 44 is now seen by the Morse family as the geographic center of the community.

Thanks! I was hoping someone could fill me in completely..Now I know it is not a just a rumor. Like the last poster said, sit back, grab some popcorn and enjoy the show. I am looking forward to the many new amenities but not the traffic.(Guess we can't have everything)

Originally Posted by Normal

It would be moot to argue timing, I just wonder if it takes much longer than that with the “improvements”? I would measure to guess the travel time has at least doubled? But then The Developer was fairly successful in destroying most of the roadway with its trucks and self proclaimed diversions anyway.

The fact that the Developer had the power to take 470, a main road for 18 wheelers to reach the turnpike from 75 traveling at 55 mph (which they never honored), and turn it into a 45 mph roundabout joy ride should explain everything regarding the well oiled machine called The Villages. That change alone showed pretty impressive clout. It will never go back to that old pretty road where cows roamed free in beautiful pastures and wild boars got hit.

[NotGolfer]

Well as others have asked.....how did you hear this? Coming on a social media site to ask your main question is like throwing sand into the wind. Rumors abound in this community and few are true. Someone said that only the developer knows the answer(s) you ask. Live here long enough and you might know that!!! Besides, I think many of us won't be here to experience what you fear. Someone once said the only thing to fear is fear itself!! Just take deep breathes and relax!

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by GizmoWhiskers

The fact that the Developer had the power to take 470, a main road for 18 wheelers to reach the turnpike from 75 traveling at 55 mph (which they never honored), and turn it into a 45 mph roundabout joy ride should explain everything regarding the well oiled machine called The Villages. That change alone showed pretty impressive clout. It will never go back to that old pretty road where cows roamed free in beautiful pastures and wild boars got hit.

Lots of ranch land (that pays little if any in property taxes) in FL for the future McDonalds hamburgers to graze.

The county/state could have (should have) made 470 a 4 lane divided east/west 75/Turnpike connector road years before the Villages purchased the land.

301 is another example that's 10 years behind need.

Then there's the repaving of 44 with its miles of sidewalks to nowhere which seems to have come to a screeching halt.

[ehonour]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

Rumors abound in this community and few are true.

Oh, oh, oh! Here's an opportunity to start a new one. I hear that (grin) the real center of The Villages was always intended to be Avenida Central. (After all, look at the name!) The developers are going to buy up both Spruce Creeks and Stonecrest and raze all the individual homes around them, expanding NORTH all the way to Jacksonville! Spread it around, folks, you saw it here first so it must be true.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

Well as others have asked.....how did you hear this? Coming on a social media site to ask your main question is like throwing sand into the wind. Rumors abound in this community and few are true. Someone said that only the developer knows the answer(s) you ask. Live here long enough and you might know that!!! Besides, I think many of us won't be here to experience what you fear. Someone once said the only thing to fear is fear itself!! Just take deep breathes and relax!

It has been confirmed on this thread that it IS NOT a rumor. Jennifer Parr testified under oath in a trial that the the size of the Villages is going to double. Also, Some posters loaded maps of the land the developer has bought to show Central Pkwy will be the new center of the villages.

I am not fearful of this change. simply dreading the traffic. I wanted to seek the truth because I am planning on moving to the new area. Now, I am well-equipped with facts to make the best decision possible.

[kendi]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

.

Hopefully, you are correct about the naming of Central Pkwy and it is just another one of those rumors. I have heard it several times and am starting to believe it. A few people told me they read the Developer purchased enough land to build for 23 yrs. I have experienced the Villages population sweltering to 140,000 from a a few thousand. In my eyes, anything is possible. I have lived it! If there is land, they are going to build.

Funny, how things get in your head! This is why I am asking, want to hear from people who are "in the know". Anyone know how much available land the developer has purchased? And, if there is a significant amount of available land for other developments?

Note: Did not include the metro areas, I was explicitly talking about the cities themselves for comparison. Including metro areas like Fruitland park, Bellevue, Oxford, etc, makes the population numbers worse.[/QUOTE]

The map on TV website shows all the land they own.

[kendi]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

.

Hopefully, you are correct about the naming of Central Pkwy and it is just another one of those rumors. I have heard it several times and am starting to believe it. A few people told me they read the Developer purchased enough land to build for 23 yrs. I have experienced the Villages population sweltering to 140,000 from a a few thousand. In my eyes, anything is possible. I have lived it! If there is land, they are going to build.

Funny, how things get in your head! This is why I am asking, want to hear from people who are "in the know". Anyone know how much available land the developer has purchased? And, if there is a significant amount of available land for other developments?

Note: Did not include the metro areas, I was explicitly talking about the cities themselves for comparison. Including metro areas like Fruitland park, Bellevue, Oxford, etc, makes the population numbers worse.[/QUOTE]

The map on TV website shows the land they own.

[KenLee100]

Originally Posted by VApeople

We have been here for 7 years and we think things are better than ever. We enjoy all of the new amenities in the Southern Area, except for the wretched Sawgrass area.

That was harsh. Sawgrass was different on purpose. We happen to like it. If you don't, that's OK. There are other areas you can grace with your presence.
May you "Live long and prosper."

[jrref]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

Word has it, the Developer named the street near Eastport, Central Pkwy because when construction is complete, this area will now be the center of the Villages. If my calculations are correct, our population is going to explode approaching 1/2 million! A city possibly larger than Orlando or Tampa.

UPDATE: THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE CONFIRMED ON THIS THREAD THAT THIS IS NOT A RUMOR. WHEN YOU WANT THE TRUTH, JUST ASK TOTV! THANKS AGAIN! This information will help when I purchase a new home.

Here are my calculations. Population now 140,000. Multiply by two since Developer has stated Villages is going to double in size. A 280,OOO population.

But, this does not include the many outside developments in Lady Lake, Beaumont, or apartment buildings, townhouses, etc. It also does not include homes with children or multi-generational living.

Yikes! I can only imagine what traffic is going to be like in a few years. Overcrowded, everywhere? What do you think?

Some current populations for comparison:
Tampa: 395,276
Orlando: 312, 280
Miami: 452,952
Jacksonville: 954, 614

Please note: this is not a bash the south post. Population includes everyone. Please spare those remarks.

I hope you are right that Central Pkw will be the center of the villages so all the traffic and crowds stay down there.