[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by yankygrl

I’ve heard it isn’t really a square as the previous 3, but more an entertainment area...I’m guessing like Edna’s on the green without food trucks.

The old design formulas are replaced with new. That is what makes the Southern Oaks area so different and, for me, much better than my old neighborhood in the north.

Oh, it will be nothing like Edna's.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Cliff Fr

I lived in Sumter County when The Villages proposed expanding into our County. There was a debate about whether to allow it or not. People opposed to it said that it would destroy the rural character of Sumter County and that politically The Villages would end up controlling Sumter County. The developer assured us that only a small portion of Sumter County would be developed. And here we are now, lol

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

Well, you’re welcome for all the jobs and tax revenue.

I did not sense he was complaining. Why the cheap shot?

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by yankygrl

I’ve heard it isn’t really a square as the previous 3, but more an entertainment area...I’m guessing like Edna’s on the green without food trucks.

The planning looks more like Sumter Landing with the hotel overlooking a lake, plus golf and major recreational amenities.

[Nick B]

Originally Posted by kitbry3

A question- Do we know if Squares will be built in the new sections south, as they have been built in the Original Villages? I have heard that there are not plans to build more Squares. (I am tempted not to believe that, as the Developer has been awesome in duplicating needed attractions.) It would be a huge worry to me if they are not. Brownwood is packed!!!!!!!!!! If anyone has an answer, please respond. Sincere thanks. Isn't The Villages a great place to live!

Yes it's the bestest place in the whole world.

[Nick B]

Originally Posted by Dgodin

Yes. But the newest one will be called a "Lifestyle Center".

It's for swingers?

[kkingston57]

When the new square is up and going, feel bad for the merchants. In the new areas there will be less and less young/working age people who live close enough to work at retail/restaurant jobs. In nothern areas there are small cities nearby who can supply manpower for retail/restaurant. Currently most are not running at 100% due to lack of workers who will seriously due to this type of work.

Birth rate in US is going down and it seems to me that Florida is attracting older/retired people

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

When the new square is up and going, feel bad for the merchants. In the new areas there will be less and less young/working age people who live close enough to work at retail/restaurant jobs. In nothern areas there are small cities nearby who can supply manpower for retail/restaurant. Currently most are not running at 100% due to lack of workers who will seriously due to this type of work.

Birth rate in US is going down and it seems to me that Florida is attracting older/retired people

Have you at all noticed the new workforce housing being constructed?

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe

Yes, Eastport is slated to be built and is currently in the design stages. It is mentioned that will last until approximately August 2022. (a year and the video in which it was stated was youtube'd in Aug 2021. It will have 1000 yd long lake (no, it doesn't look a single bit phallic. Nope, not at all! Any similarities to upside down male genitalia is entirely in your own dirty, depraved imagination. My wife is calling it "D*ck Lake"). It will combine a town-square like atmosphere with dining and commercial ventures with golf academy/golfing and a recreation center. Eastport does not appear (at least from my amateur eye) to have a live music venue - so not one of the defining features we all know are inherent to the "Town Squares," however they will have that at Sawgrass Grove. Unknown if that is 365 days/year or not. Also, the maps do not refer to Eastport as a "Town Square" per se, but a "Lifestyle Center." I suppose that is still to be fully defined. Gary Mark, one of the lead designers, describes it as "a more intimate town square."

Interestingly, if you pay close attention to the video, he describes Eastport as being located in "the center of The Villages." I wonder if that is a slip to indicate that he is aware of the extent of future development in the next couple decades.

For a very good detailed look at BOTH Eastport and Sawgrass Grove, I recommend the video that is 11:17 long at the link below.

It is discussed by The Developer here:

Continuing The Dream: Volume 10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4DujjpVQgY

There is a map inside the linked pages that indicates exactly where it is going. Look for the blue lake labeled, "Eastport."

Also, here is more information on Sawgrass Grove. Kinda like a half-square with a golf course and rec center attached. Instead of restaurants (Except McGrady's Pub), it will have one of those hipster-style big food halls and inside the halls will be several food vendors.

The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community

The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WcZnYrCMng&t=3s

The new center of the Villages is St. Catherine's/Cason Hammock area.

[MSchad]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

When the new square is up and going, feel bad for the merchants. In the new areas there will be less and less young/working age people who live close enough to work at retail/restaurant jobs. In nothern areas there are small cities nearby who can supply manpower for retail/restaurant.

Now that is a new take on why the northern area is/will be better than the southern.

[Normal]

Originally Posted by Taurus510

Isn’t Sawgrass a square? Not open yet I know, but it’s being built.

Sawgrass isn’t a square, it’s an area with less than half the parking available at a regular square. We were at an event in Ezell (shares the parking) and there wasn’t any parking available anywhere. Sawgrass hasn’t even opened up yet either.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

When the new square is up and going, feel bad for the merchants. In the new areas there will be less and less young/working age people who live close enough to work at retail/restaurant jobs. In nothern areas there are small cities nearby who can supply manpower for retail/restaurant. Currently most are not running at 100% due to lack of workers who will seriously due to this type of work.

Birth rate in US is going down and it seems to me that Florida is attracting older/retired people

Have you heard of Leesburg, Wildwood, Coleman? Small towns are everywhere.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by Normal

We were at an event in Ezell (shares the parking) and there wasn’t any parking available anywhere.

There is a fence around Sawgrass. If you look through the gate, you will see there is a lot of parking behind the fence. That will soon be open.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by Normal

Sawgrass isn’t a square, it’s an area with less than half the parking available at a regular square. We were at an event in Ezell (shares the parking) and there wasn’t any parking available anywhere. Sawgrass hasn’t even opened up yet either.

Less than half the parking because it less than half the size of the squares. Makes sense to me.

[bilcon]

We used to love going to LSL when we move here 13 years ago. You actually saw mostly Villages residents. Now every Tom, Dick, and Harry seem to have taken over our squares. Not fun anymore. These are the same people who write negative comments about TV in that (other) on line news. Maybe I'm just getting old.

"I never made a mistake in my life. I thought I did once, but I was wrong".