West Villages, Florida

West Villages
Planned community
West Villages
Location in Sarasota County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 27°02′59″N 82°19′16″W / 27.04972°N 82.32111°W / 27.04972; -82.32111Coordinates: 27°02′59″N 82°19′16″W / 27.04972°N 82.32111°W / 27.04972; -82.32111
Country United States
State Florida
County Sarasota
Time zone UTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s) 34223, 34292, 34293
Area code(s) 941
Website www.mywestvillages.com

West Villages is a planned community located in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. Majority of the West Villages is located along US 41 and River Road (County Road 777) at the edges of unincorporated Sarasota County and the city limits of North Port.

History

The land was initially used for ranching and agriculture in the 1930s and became known as Taylor Ranch.[1]

In May 2014, a partnership, including Mattamy Homes and Vanguard Land and other developers, invested about $100 million to purchase approximately 9,600 acres (3,900 ha) that represented the remainder of the former Berry and Taylor family ranch.[2]

Neighborhoods

The following neighborhoods have broken ground or are slated for West Villages:[3]

Atlanta Braves Spring Training

In early 2017, the Atlanta Braves professional baseball team announced the selection of West Villages Florida, as the site of the New Braves Spring Training Stadium.[4] Sarasota County has approved its funding earmarking about $22 million in tourist development taxes. The City of North Port will provide $4.7 million and the Florida Sports Foundation is slated to contribute $20 million.[5]

The developer is donating the land, road work and utility infrastructure as well as an annual $300,000 contribution. The Atlanta Braves are making the upfront capital contribution and annual lease payments. By hosting the stadium, West Villages ensures a lot of future activities, events and opportunities for its residents as well as visitors from throughout the region and the country.[6]

West Villages Improvement District

Much of the planned community is situated within the West Villages Improvement District (WVID or “District”), a limited, single and specialized purpose local government whose purpose is to provide infrastructure, including community development systems, facilities, services, projects, and improvements to the District.[7]

Florida Legislature established the District with the intent that the growth of the community will pay for itself. All activities of the District are done to benefit the property owner. A five-person board governs the District, which oversees approximately 11,000 acres.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Hielscher, John (August 7, 2017). "Housing starts down but closings rise". Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
  2. ↑ Duhane Lindo, "West Villages and developers in the process of making major additions", mysuncoast.com, January 10, 2017
  3. ↑ Hielscher, John (January 5, 2017). "West Villages, Lakewood Ranch rank among fastest-growing". Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
  4. ↑ Kimel, Earle (May 25, 2017). "West Villages signs off on Braves agreement". Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
  5. ↑ Murdock, Zach (January 17, 2017). "Atlanta Braves pick Sarasota County for spring training". Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
  6. ↑ "North Port reacts to Braves coming: 'The best thing that could happen'", mysuncoast.com, January 19, 2017
  7. 1 2 "West Villages Improvement District", mywestvillages.com
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