Something will be gained with the Trailwinds project along County Road 466A, but something also will be lost.
A forlorn white farmhouse that has stood for generations will make way for the new development, where construction of roads, retention ponds and sewers began last month.
A newer brick home east of the farmhouse has been lifted from its foundation, apparently to be moved.
The Villages has preserved a farmhouse similar to this one on the northeast corner of Buena Vista and Bonita boulevards. The two-story yellow house with a spacious front porch is unoccupied.
It was preserved and moved from near County Road 466 as part of an agreement when The Villages bought farmland from the family that owned it.
The Trailwinds development west of the Sandhill golf course will include 296 homes, 462 assisted living beds, 572,750 square feet of retail space and 151,500 square feet of office space. The developer paid for a $1.8-million sewer line to the site from Wildwood’s sewage treatment plan west of U.S. 301.
In early 2015, The Villages offered to buy the property to build 800 homes, but withdrew the plan after Wildwood officials said they preferred mixed-use development that would include businesses and senior living centers.
