Is Davie Commons right for Western Davie Florida or not?
Categories: Community Information, Davie, Front Page, In The News, Real Estate News
hi
The residents of Western Davie are holding their breath. Back in February of this year at about 3am the Town of Davie gave their initial approval to the proposed development of Davie Commons. A 152 Acre, 2 million square foot, office and shopping center. Davie residents must now wait well over a year before this proposed development comes back before the Town Council for final approval.
This is a hot button topic on both sides of the fence:
The 152 acres in question are zoned for agricultural use or for 1 acre homesites. Most local residents in W. Davie want it to remain that way. The potential impact of traffic noise - 30,000 plus more cars on I-75 coming and going from the mall is estimated. Lights - on the plans there is a 6 story parking garage, a hotel, office buildings (everyone can see the Cleveland Clinic Hospital across I-75 right now). Also, there is huge concern that although there is supposedly no access onto Shotgun Road (a 2 lane rural road through the area) how long will that last? Would the DOT (Department of Transportation) really allow one way in and out of a very large shopping mall?
For the Town of Davie there would be a huge tax revenue from a commercial property such as this. It would provide jobs for people locally. Many feel that we need an upscale shopping center in the area and that the new Colonnades Outlets at Sawgrass Mills Mall is not enough. The developers are Turnberry Associates (Aventura Mall in N. Miami) and Retail Estate and they promise that it will be built in keeping with the area with large berms, landscaping, lakes, horse trails that will create a perfect buffer between the Commons and the surrounding homes.
You will have to decide for yourself on this one - what is right for The Town of Davie, will it help or hinder property values in the area, will it bring in the tax revenue everyone says it will, will the developers stick to their promises. There is still a long way to go in the approval process it will be one to watch … Check out these 2 sites and see what you think: www.visitthecommons.com and www.nodaviecommons.com.
You were very kind describing the meeting. This is one of those issues that take so long to be decided that by the time it happens most of the people are already conviced it is a good thing. In my opinion it will be a conveniently located mess.
Thanks for your comments! I tried to be diplomatic and present both sides of the issue! However, it’s hard to do when I potentially will be living in its shadow. So you can guess which side of the fence I’m personally on! There is a meeting in our neighborhood (D&M Acres - Shotgun Road and 28th street) on Tuesday September 18th at 6pm with our local commissioner, Vice Mayor, Lois Wexler. The negative impact of commercial development along Davie’s Shotgun Road will be discussed. I might just blog this too in case anyone is interested to attend.
I think the Davie Commons is positive for the community. Some residents are opting to move away from Western Broward County because they want more to do & more places to shop. Aventura Mall has had a very postive effect on the City of Aventura (in fact it was not much of an area until the mall started growing). We need a mall a lot more than we need another acre home development in the area. I just cannot think of an area in South Florida that has suffered because of its proximity to a great shopping destination. Thankfully we have a great developer (Turnberry) behind the project.
I appreciate your reply to my blog on Davie Commons and I’m trying really hard to be impartial …. but I can’t!!
I do agree that if this is approved Turnberry is a top notch outfit. However, the residents (and yes I’m one) are very concerned that the plans keep having these supposed “slight” changes. For example, on the first set of plans there was a 30ft deep berm at the south side of the project. Now all of a sudden there is just wall …. hmmmm. The berm would take up the easement which could be a continuation of 26th Street one day. Something that Davie has said will never happen so this is troubling. Access in and out of the mall - can they truly keep it from opening out onto Shotgun Road. The Developers have promised about $50,000 to help fight that should it ever come up - that money won’t go very far in this day and age. The Developers also promise to pull the project if they have to open up to Shotgun Road other than for fire and police - will they, can they?
The reason most of us moved out to this area was to not be on top of shopping, movie theatres etc. We wanted to have our horses, chickens, places to ride our bikes. My family moved here because I didn’t want to be next door to a mall. I’m very happy to get in my car and travel 10 minutes if I need that distraction. My family and I love days at home and not getting in the car at all. Davie’s always been about open spaces and that rural, slower paced lifestyle. Davie just doesn’t compare to Aventura’s style and location.
Everyone is seeing $$$ signs. I know the tax revenues will be very useful to the Town of Davie. Local residents don’t disagree that we could use the taxes that would generated. The Developers are trying to put something on these acres that just doesn’t belong.
Weston City Council are pretty adamant that they don’t want it there too. The interchange at I75 and Royal Palm Boulevard has an “F” rating. It is apparently a “failing interchange” so put 30,000 more cars coming in and out of this mall and the interchange, Weston Road and surrounding roads are going to be even worse.
There was a very interesting blog about all this written just after Davie Town Council voted for the project to proceed earlier this year. Here’s the link - it’s worth reading. http://www.transitmiami.com/search?q=davie+commons
There is more to consider than just the $$$’s.
The link is definitely worth reading. I just want to remind you that 15 years ago, the residents of Plantation Acres also felt the same nervousness about Sawgrass Mills Mall. The people in Plantation Acres, believed that Sawgrass Mills would ruin their lifestyle & hurt property values. However it had the adverse effect & interest in Plantation Acres soared. Many residents of Plantation Acres still enjoy having horses & chickens, but they also enjoy the Panthers Arena, outlet shopping & fine dining.
My love of shopping may hinder my judgement, but most of our relocation clients & new residents are looking for communities where they can work, play, shop, dine, live & have access to great education. I think Davie Commons would be beneficial if constructed correctly. Thankfully it seems the citizens of Davie will make sure of that!