Let's check in with Oak Run, a private gated community for those 55 and over located in Ocala’s Highway 200 Corridor. This exclusive neighborhood is geared towards active adults and features a private community golf course, community center, tennis courts, an outdoor pool as well as an indoor heated pool and much, much more. Oak run is an ideal neighborhood for retirees who want spectacular resort style living in one of Central Florida's premier active adult communities.
If you think parking has been a problem in downtown Ocala, you are not alone, and now big changes are almost here. The city plans to add 148 new parking meters around the downtown area in conjunction with the completion of a huge new parking garage downtown that will have 400 parking spaces, where many of the parking spaces will be free.
On August 4, around 135 pigs were seized by the Polk County sheriff’s department after an investigation found widespread neglect and inhumane conditions. Savvy & Company will be sponsoring the effort to rescue & rehome these pigs.
Let's check in with Stone Creek, an active 55-and-up community that is chock full of amenities...and inventory!
The housing market in Ocala is fairly balanced, with seven months of inventory currently available, and 7.7 months inventory available in Marion County as a whole. However, the neighborhood of Stone Creek has a clear buyer’s market, with 12.6 months of inventory and a whopping 64 homes on the market.
Aldi Food Market, a national grocery chain known for having low-priced budget friendly items, is rapidly expanding, and Florida is benefiting from its growth.
Ocala recently approved a site for one new store, and Gainesville also approved sites for two new stores. Now, one location in Gainesville is getting ready to open and the other two locations are in the works.
The Ocala Downtown Market opened in its new location this weekend at the corner of Southeast 3rd Street and Southeast 3rd Avenue where it features a covered pavilion.
The newly covered market was a big deal, especially since opening day saw plenty of rain. Had it not been for the new location under the pavilion, the market would not have been open for business.
Ocala is about to get a visit from a famous Oscar winner. But not because he's filming a movie in Ocala. Kevin Costner, The super famous and acclaimed actor who has starred in countless Oscar award-winning films, has a country rock band called Modern West that will be performing a concert on Saturday at Ocala's Circle Square Cultural Center.
Good news for all of you Ocala horse fans. The Ocala Initiative has been officially funded, thanks to a variety of Florida-based organizations who raised $100,000 towards the effort. Founded by the Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation, the Ocala Initiative was designed to garner support from horse farms and businesses, as well as from individual donors, in order to advance equine research to improve overall horse health and welfare.
Last week, there was a news of a brand new FedEx hub moving into Ocala. And now, Memphis-based AutoZone is looking to build a 444,000 square-foot facility near the new FedEx hub. This $49 million building taking over 60 acres is part of an economic incentive project that would require AutoZone to create at least 192 full-time jobs with an average annual salary of $38,000, and the county and city each would pay AutoZone $3.75 million over 30 years as well as offer electrical service at reduced rates for the first five years after the plant opens, and also$500,000 in construction–related fees.
Major business is moving in to Marion County and bringing plenty of jobs, as well as city pride.
Ocala is getting a new FedEx Ground hub and the entire community is quite excited about it. The company has partnered with the city and the move-in has created a sense of accomplishment for the city. It is a great project that will bring in over 300 new employees to work over the next couple of weeks. Bringing new jobs to the community is great news for the economy of Ocala and Marion County.
The real estate numbers in Ocala are looking great, with plenty of action and a steady, balanced market.
Let's check in with Fore Ranch, a master-planned community in Ocala just off of State Road 200, conveniently located near I-75 and West Marion Hospital. While divided into multiple subdivisions, the community includes a clubhouse with a pool and splash pad for the kids, as well as a fitness center and a conference room. The neighborhood also features a soccer field, sidewalk-lined streets for beautiful walks, and much, much more. The neighborhood is also conveniently located near plenty of great shopping and fantastic dining.
The State Road 200 Corridor, which runs 8.8 miles from Interstate 75 to County Road 484, was once home to one of the fastest growing regions of Marion County between the years 2002 and 2008. This stretch of land is approximately the size of Rhode Island, just to give you some indication of its size. While Marion County is known for its retirement communities and newer single-family home developments, this Corridor saw the development of seven large shopping centers, several drug stores including many CVS and Walgreens stores, dozens of national chain retailers, two hospitals and many restaurants.
Many Marion County residents move to the northwest quadrant of Ocala to escape the urban sprawl and to be among large fields, green grass, and horses running freely.
However, one property owner along Highway 40 is wanting to sell her 400 acres of land to housing developers. The proposal would create more than 1,000 new homes on the property. With such a drastic increase in residential property, more businesses will also be attracted to the area.
The regionally accredited private Rasmussen College School of Nursing has opened in Ocala. Students began using the new facility this past Tuesday, as construction was completed in June.
The Ocala School of Nursing campus features a multimillion dollar, 21,000 square-foot facility that provides an exceptional learning experience with generously-sized classrooms, labs and high-tech simulation equipment. The new larger campus, located at 1227 Southwest 17th Avenue, will help to train quality nurses in order to meet the demand for more nurses and nursing positions across the region. The campus will also offer meeting and event space, a training facility and lecture hall for community organizations and other businesses.
The revitalization that has taken place in downtown Ocala is quite evident. The square is bustling, there are lots of new restaurants and shops, and plenty is going on downtown on any given weekend or holiday. However, Midtown has not experienced the same redevelopment and revitalization, and it is this area of town that is next on the list for a makeover.
There is so much happening around town leading up to July 4 that shouldn't be missed!
Starting on July 1, "Jaws" is back to celebrate Shark Week. Chad Taylor directs a shadow cast that will perform in front of a screening of Stephen Spielberg's classic "Jaws" at 7:30 PM at the Reilly Center in Tuscawilla Park at 500 Northeast 9th Street in Ocala. Tickets are $15 and you can find more information at Reillyartscenter.com.
A major renovation project is set to take place downtown that will add some much needed residential space to the downtown scene. The renovation of the three-story building at 18 Southeast Magnolia Ave., which is one of the tallest buildings on the Square, began a while ago but was then put on hold. However, as the real estate market improved, the project was brought back to life.
We're almost halfway through the year, so let's take a look at the state of the real estate market in Ocala / Marion County.
The award winning Burger 21, a Tampa-based fast casual franchise, opened its newest and most anticipated location yet in Ocala, and will be featuring specialty cocktails and Shaketales, as well as many other desirable new and improved features. It is the first freestanding restaurant with a full service bar and outdoor patio for the company.
Access to neighborhood grocery stores in West Ocala has been fairly nonexistent, but that is about to change. The new Paradise Park shopping plaza and grocery store is proposed for 2400 West Silver Springs Boulevard near Northwest 27th Avenue and will bring easy access to groceries and more where there was previously none.
