Yes, it passed. On Oct. 20, Marion County commissioners unanimously approved rezoning for the 105-acre 49th Street Gateway across I-75 from the future Buc-ee's: up to 535 homes, a 500-room hotel, and 450,000 square feet of shops, restaurants and offices. Truck stops and racetracks were removed from the allowed uses. Detailed plans still need county approval before construction.
On Oct. 13, I wrote about this project ahead of the county vote. The vote is done, and a few things changed at the hearing. Here is what was approved, what is still unknown, and why this week's small dip in mortgage rates matters if you are buying, selling, or investing on the northwest side of Ocala.
What happened at the Oct. 20 vote
Marion County commissioners unanimously approved the proposal on Tuesday, Oct. 20, following a unanimous vote by the Planning and Zoning board the week before, WCJB reported. The key facts:
- Where: a 105-acre property at Northwest 44th Avenue and 49th Street, northwest of the future I-75 interchange at Northwest 49th Street.
- What is allowed: up to 535 homes, a 500-room hotel, and 450,000 square feet of shops, restaurants and office space.
- What changed: commissioners agreed to remove truck stops and racetracks from the list of permitted uses, according to WUFT. Before the vote, WKMG had reported that the land-use change on 31.44 acres could allow anything from a truck stop to an amusement park, per Hoodline.
- What is still unclear: exactly what gets built. Commissioner Craig Curry put it plainly: "We don't know what's going in here," WUFT reported. Developer Bill Kearns floated a visitor center showcasing Marion County's horse industry and local attractions, possibly with a small barn.
- What comes next: approval does not mean construction starts. A master plan must also be approved by the county, per WCJB, and WUFT reports no date has been announced for that review.
Traffic and neighbor concerns
Project managers said the proposal went through the county's traffic impact analysis process and was approved, WCJB reported. Amber Gartner, a traffic engineer on the developer's study, told commissioners, "So 50% of the traffic, we're expecting to go towards the interstate," according to WUFT. Neighbors were not convinced. One resident said, "44th Avenue becomes a parking lot."
A family that has lived next to the site for six decades is still talking with the county, WKMG reported. Their immediate ask is to move a planned new road back 10 feet to save four historic oak trees. They also want the county to address existing roads before approving more projects like this one.
The timeline has not changed
The new interchange is expected to be finished in 2028, and the Buc-ee's is targeted to open in late 2029, per Hoodline. Plan around those dates, not around the headline.
Also this week: rates dipped for the first time since August
Freddie Mac's 30-year fixed rate averaged 7.32% on Oct. 22, down from 7.40% the week before, according to the Freddie Mac release. The 15-year averaged 6.68%, down from 6.71%. A year ago, the 30-year was 6.19%.
WRE News called it the first weekly decline since August and estimated that on a $400,000 loan, the drop lowers principal and interest by roughly $22 a month. The 10-year Treasury was still at 5.13% on Oct. 21, so one good week is not a trend. The Mortgage Bankers Association still expects rates above 7% through 2027.
What it means for buyers
- A rezoning is not a site plan. Until the detailed plans come back, nobody can tell you where the homes, hotel or retail will sit. If you are looking near NW 44th Avenue or 49th Street, look up the zoning and land use on nearby parcels during your inspection period and ask what road work is planned.
- The use list got narrower, not specific. Removing truck stops and racetracks answers one question. It does not tell you what will go next door. Drive the area at rush hour before you commit.
- Use the rate dip, but do not wait on it. About $22 a month on a $400,000 loan is real money, not a reason to change your plan. Get a fresh Loan Estimate and compare lenders. Run your numbers in the mortgage calculator.
- If that side of town fits your commute, start with my 34482 ZIP code guide and the homes near the World Equestrian Center guide.
What it means for sellers
- Buyers will ask about this. Have the basic facts ready: what was approved, what was removed, and that detailed plans are still pending. If you received hearing notices, keep them. Ask your agent or a real estate attorney what you should disclose.
- Price on recent sales, not on 2029. Some buyers will see convenience in a new exit. Others will see construction and traffic. Neither view is a reason to price above recent comparable sales.
- The rate dip helps at the margin. A slightly lower payment brings a few more buyers into range, but buyers are still shopping payments at rates above 7%. Pricing right from day one still matters most. For a pricing conversation, see my selling page or request a valuation at sellocalahome.com.
What it means for investors
- Underwrite the wait. Construction cannot start until the county approves detailed plans, and no date is set. The interchange is expected in 2028 and the Buc-ee's in late 2029. If any of those slips, your rent or resale timeline slips with it.
- Do not underwrite uses that do not exist yet. A 500-room hotel and 450,000 square feet of commercial space are the maximums allowed, not commitments. A commissioner said on the record that nobody knows what is going in yet.
- Watch future supply. Up to 535 homes would add competition for nearby rentals and resales over time. Compare areas with the Ocala ZIP code guide.
- Stress test financing. Run deals at today's rate and higher. Talk with a lender and a CPA before buying land or rentals in the path of the interchange.
What I'd do this week
- If you are under contract near NW 44th Avenue or 49th Street, look up adjacent zoning and planned road work before your inspection period ends.
- Buyers: ask two or three lenders for an updated Loan Estimate this week, while the 30-year average sits at 7.32%.
- Sellers near the corridor: gather any hearing notices and write down what you know, so your disclosures are ready.
- Investors: write down the 2028 and 2029 dates and test your numbers if each one slips a year.
- Everyone nearby: watch the county agenda for the project's detailed plan review. That is the hearing where specifics get decided.
Frequently asked questions
Was the development near the Ocala Buc-ee's approved?
Yes. Marion County commissioners unanimously approved rezoning for the 105-acre 49th Street Gateway on Oct. 20. It allows up to 535 homes, a 500-room hotel, and 450,000 square feet of shops, restaurants and offices at Northwest 44th Avenue and 49th Street.
Will there be a truck stop across from the Ocala Buc-ee's?
Not on this property under the approved rezoning. Commissioners agreed to remove truck stops and racetracks from the permitted uses, according to WUFT. The Buc-ee's itself, on the other side of I-75, is planned as a travel center with 120 fueling stations, per Hoodline.
When will construction start on the 49th Street Gateway?
No date is set. The developer still has to return with more detailed plans, and the county must approve a master plan before construction can begin. WUFT reports no date has been announced for that review.
When will the Ocala Buc-ee's and the I-75 interchange at 49th Street open?
Hoodline reports the interchange is expected to be completed in 2028 and the Buc-ee's is targeted for late 2029. Large projects can slip, so treat those as targets, not promises.
Are mortgage rates going down in October 2026?
They dipped this week. Freddie Mac's 30-year average fell to 7.32% on Oct. 22 from 7.40%, the first weekly decline since August. One week is not a trend, and rates are still well above the 6.19% of a year ago.
Will the 49th Street project raise home values in northwest Ocala?
No one can promise that. New access and shopping can add convenience, while construction and traffic can weigh on the closest homes. For a specific property, ask for a current market analysis based on recent sales, not future projects.
Sources
- WCJB: Marion County commissioners approve mixed-use project near future Buc-ee's (Oct 22, 2026)
- WUFT: Major development near future Ocala Buc-ee's moves forward (Oct 22, 2026)
- WKMG News 6: Ocala family fights back after county approves massive mixed-use development (Oct 21, 2026)
- Hoodline: 535 Homes, 500-Room Hotel Head to Marion County Vote Near Future Buc-ee's (Oct 3, 2026)
- Freddie Mac via GlobeNewswire: Mortgage Rates Decrease to 7.32% (Oct 22, 2026)
- WRE News: Mortgage Rates Fall to 7.32%, First Weekly Decline Since August (Oct 22, 2026)
This article is general information, not legal, tax, insurance, or lending advice, and no guarantee of any approval, timeline, rate, or value. Talk with a real estate or land use attorney, a CPA, or a licensed lender about your situation.
Cristian Gonzalez, REALTOR, eXp Realty
FL License #3633800 · Ocala, Marion County, Florida · Published October 23, 2026