A Villager voiced his concerns Wednesday morning to the Amenity Authority Committee about “slippage” on the Historic Side of The Villages.
Don Butler, who has resided for several years in the Village of Silver Lake, said he is proud to live on the original side of The Villages and chose his words carefully when speaking to AAC members during their monthly meeting at Savannah Center.
“Please don’t take this as a negative,” Butler said.
However, he inferred that the newer areas of Florida’s Friendliest Hometown receive more attention and there is the potential for the Historic Side to be forgotten.
He suggested that the Historic Side should be treated more as a “historic district” that celebrates the original vision of The Villages.
“It’s a beautiful area. Let’s keep it as pristine as possible,” Butler said.
Specifically, Butler said he is concerned about the La Plaza Grande North shopping area on the Historic Side and suggested the upkeep doesn’t rival the newer shopping centers in The Villages.
AAC Chair Ann Forrester said the commercial district is not under the authority of the committee, which oversees amenity money north of County Road 466. She also stood up for the AAC’s record of tending to the Historic Side.
She pointed out that when the AAC began the process of updating recreation centers, it launched those efforts on the Historic Side. She also pointed to the addition of Paradise Park on the Historic Side.
“The Historic Side is near and dear to this committee,” Forrester said.