[MarioNappa]

In this aerial update, we take a close look at the latest construction progress along County Road 470 (Central Parkway) near Florida's Turnpike and The Villages. While the bridge project continues, progress appears to have slowed considerably over the past several months, raising questions about the construction timeline. More importantly, there's major development news: the land formerly owned by 470 LLC, once planned for apartments and commercial development, has reportedly been purchased by The Villages. What does this mean for nearby communities like Newell, Dabney, and Lake Denham? We discuss why apartments are likely off the table, what could replace them, and how this purchase may reshape the southern gateway to The Villages. Join me for the latest drone footage, observations, and analysis of one of Central Florida's fastest-growing areas.

https://youtu.be/KpyhsmIzXB4

[Altavia]

Thanks for the update.

A MMP along CR48 under the Turnpike was approved which should give access from the west to the 470 LLC property.

Probably 6+ years away since it will be coordinated with the Turnpike widening project.

[CrosbyStills]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Thanks for the update.

A MMP along CR48 under the Turnpike was approved which should give access from the west to the 470 LLC property.

Probably 6+ years away since it will be coordinated with the Turnpike widening project.

Yes, as discussed in some detail a couple days ago by Rusty Nelson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfhHcbfx2zc

[CarlR33]

It’s nice the area across from the end of Meggison road is no longer a yard sign magnet since the construction started. The 470 bridge lights had been out for sometime on the south side before crossing the interstate making it unsafe due to the darkness and construction barriers. I contacted several people and found the County owned the lights. Today they were finally back on.

[MarioNappa]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Thanks for the update.

A MMP along CR48 under the Turnpike was approved which should give access from the west to the 470 LLC property.

Probably 6+ years away since it will be coordinated with the Turnpike widening project.

You are correct. I forgot about that.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by MarioNappa

You are correct. I forgot about that.

I suspected the original plan was a " paper tiger" to drive property value higher.

I am surprised a golf cart tunnel has not materialized under 470 but a tunnel was constructed under Warm Springs during later development.

So maybe along with this asquisition.

[MarioNappa]

I checked with public works from Lake County, and they said there are no plans for a tunnel under CR470, but I am not holding my breath. It is clear from also talking with Leesburg Planning and Zoning that TV does not reveal much until or unless they need to. When they widen 470 past Chandler Drive, they will have the opportunity to put one in there, but there has to be a conceived financial benefit for them to do so. Lake Denham and Newell have the highest number of homes on the market of any other Village (they are in the top 7 of all villages), and the reason is isolation and lack of retail. I feel for those residents who may have been duped.

[CrosbyStills]

Originally Posted by MarioNappa

I checked with public works from Lake County, and they said there are no plans for a tunnel under CR470, but I am not holding my breath. It is clear from also talking with Leesburg Planning and Zoning that TV does not reveal much until or unless they need to. When they widen 470 past Chandler Drive, they will have the opportunity to put one in there, but there has to be a conceived financial benefit for them to do so. Lake Denham and Newell have the highest number of homes on the market of any other Village (they are in the top 7 of all villages), and the reason is isolation and lack of retail. I feel for those residents who may have been duped.

I'm sure others with a more vested interest in the "other" side of the turnpike will disagree, and I get it - they have a substantial financial interest being threatened (similar to the folks up north and their north-vs-south areas arguments) but from my perspective you are absolutely correct. Those villages hang out there on the map like an orphan.

[PilotGuy]

Originally Posted by MarioNappa

I checked with public works from Lake County, and they said there are no plans for a tunnel under CR470, but I am not holding my breath. It is clear from also talking with Leesburg Planning and Zoning that TV does not reveal much until or unless they need to. When they widen 470 past Chandler Drive, they will have the opportunity to put one in there, but there has to be a conceived financial benefit for them to do so. Lake Denham and Newell have the highest number of homes on the market of any other Village (they are in the top 7 of all villages), and the reason is isolation and lack of retail. I feel for those residents who may have been duped.

I live in Newell and have for 3 years and I don't feel like I have been "duped" at all and I don't feel our area is an orphan. It was never implied that there would ever be a way to get over the turnpike other than the bridge down by Sawgrass. We love living in Newell because there is quite a bit of stuff to do within a short distance and it's a little quieter because it's off the beaten path. Personally I hope they don't build a tunnel going under 470 because that's going to increase the golf cart traffic going down Meggison road toward the back gate. If somebody feels duped living in this area then they didn't do their homework very well and they had unrealistic expectations.

[Ignatz]

Originally Posted by PilotGuy

I live in Newell and have for 3 years and I don't feel like I have been "duped" at all and I don't feel our area is an orphan. It was never implied that there would ever be a way to get over the turnpike other than the bridge down by Sawgrass. We love living in Newell because there is quite a bit of stuff to do within a short distance and it's a little quieter because it's off the beaten path. Personally I hope they don't build a tunnel going under 470 because that's going to increase the golf cart traffic going down Meggison road toward the back gate. If somebody feels duped living in this area then they didn't do their homework very well and they had unrealistic expectations.

Well said. People are so quick to blast their opinions of our three villages on this side of Sawgrass.

[jimdecastro]

BRAVO! A fantastic video. R.I.P. apartments!

[CrosbyStills]

Originally Posted by PilotGuy

I live in Newell and have for 3 years and I don't feel like I have been "duped" at all and I don't feel our area is an orphan. It was never implied that there would ever be a way to get over the turnpike other than the bridge down by Sawgrass. We love living in Newell because there is quite a bit of stuff to do within a short distance and it's a little quieter because it's off the beaten path. Personally I hope they don't build a tunnel going under 470 because that's going to increase the golf cart traffic going down Meggison road toward the back gate. If somebody feels duped living in this area then they didn't do their homework very well and they had unrealistic expectations.

"Off the beaten path" is another way of saying "isolated" which is exactly the point being made. There are certainly some like you. Maybe many. But the fact The Villages multi-million dollar marketing strategy advertises the heck out of Town Squares and recreation centers indicates the majority of potential buyers want to be in the thick of things, not "off the beaten path."

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by CrosbyStills

"Off the beaten path" is another way of saying "isolated" which is exactly the point being made. There are certainly some like you. Maybe many. But the fact The Villages multi-million dollar marketing strategy advertises the heck out of Town Squares and recreation centers indicates the majority of potential buyers want to be in the thick of things, not "off the beaten path."

Interesting that the squares are thought to be the major attraction of the villages and than as time goes on we go less and less as we join clubs and develop a social life.

[jimdecastro]

Originally Posted by MarioNappa

I checked with public works from Lake County, and they said there are no plans for a tunnel under CR470, but I am not holding my breath. It is clear from also talking with Leesburg Planning and Zoning that TV does not reveal much until or unless they need to. When they widen 470 past Chandler Drive, they will have the opportunity to put one in there, but there has to be a conceived financial benefit for them to do so. Lake Denham and Newell have the highest number of homes on the market of any other Village (they are in the top 7 of all villages), and the reason is isolation and lack of retail. I feel for those residents who may have been duped.

No one was duped here - and I would disagree we are isolated. We are 5 minutes from Sawgrass Grove and 12 from Eastport. And in 2 years we will be 10 minutes from Legacy Place. Add to that we are 4 minutes from the Florida Turnpike and 45 minutes from Orlando. Some parts of the Villages take twice as long to get to Orlando. I would argue Fenney and DeLuna are as isolated as we are.

Regarding golf carts, there is little chance the developer will leave those new villages south of 470 east of the turnpike without golf cart access.

As far as houses on the market, you are certainly aware that years 2 and 3 are the highest selling years of any Village. When I sold my home in Citrus Grove in 2023, there were 19 designer homes alone for sale there. This is NORMAL for The Villages as people see greener grass on the other side of the turnpike. BUT...on VLS, Newell has 9 homes for sale, Citrus Grove has 17, Shady Brook has 21, Water's Edge has 16 and Moultrie Creek has 22. While it is true Dabney has 21 and Lake Denham has 25, these are comparable to other Villages in their age range (2024 and later). I'll take my pond and preserve view any day.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by jimdecastro

No one was duped here - and I would disagree we are isolated. We are 5 minutes from Sawgrass Grove and 12 from Eastport. And in 2 years we will be 10 minutes from Legacy Place. Add to that we are 4 minutes from the Florida Turnpike and 45 minutes from Orlando. Some parts of the Villages take twice as long to get to Orlando. I would argue Fenney and DeLuna are as isolated as we are.

Regarding golf carts, there is little chance the developer will leave those new villages south of 470 east of the turnpike without golf cart access.

As far as houses on the market, you are certainly aware that years 2 and 3 are the highest selling years of any Village. When I sold my home in Citrus Grove in 2023, there were 19 designer homes alone for sale there. This is NORMAL for The Villages as people see greener grass on the other side of the turnpike. BUT...on VLS, Newell has 9 homes for sale, Citrus Grove has 17, Shady Brook has 21, Water's Edge has 16 and Moultrie Creek has 22. While it is true Dabney has 21 and Lake Denham has 25, these are comparable to other Villages in their age range (2024 and later). I'll take my pond and preserve view any day.

As a Delunatic, I agree with this comment. 😊