The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Home Section

Live Jazz is Back at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

By

Supporting the arts and providing a venue for local artists have always been core goals of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, a master-planned community located east of Interstate 75 on State Road 54. The latest addition to this vision is Jazz Under the Starz, which has been hosting monthly concerts at Avalon Park’s downtown area.

“There is something about music that soothes the soul and brings people together,” says Arlene Brooks, organizer of Jazz Under the Starz and owner of Coffee Speaks N Tea Talks in New Tampa.

“Music doesn’t have a color to it — it brings people together and makes your soul feel good. Music is my inspiration, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than watching people come together to share in this joy.”

“We are so excited to bring Jazz Under the Starz to our community,” says Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for the Avalon Park Group. “We love offering things to do for our families, and especially have a passion for sharing the arts. Jazz under the Starz is exactly the type of organization we want to support, and fits perfectly with our goal of enhancing and bringing more attention to arts and culture.”

Jazz Under the Starz is held every third Saturday of the month, with a different band performing at each concert.

“These types of concerts and events really aren’t going on anywhere else in New Tampa/Wesley Chapel,” says Brooks.

“I want it to be a place where people can come and join together to celebrate the music. Everybody loves music, and it helps you forget about the hardships of life.”

The next Jazz Under the Starz concert will be on May 21, at 33501 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, located behind Pinecrest Academy, on Avalon Park property.

Project Necessary will be the headline act, and will bring a smooth mix of Jazz, Funk and R&B to Jazz Under the Starz.

For the past 20 years, Project Necessary has entertained audiences globally in places such as Hawaii, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Turkey and Egypt.

The group’s nucleus consists of Dave Chipman (drums), Sam Diego (keys), Al Chisim (Sax) and bassist Dale Horton.

General admission is $20, which can be purchased at JazzUnderTheStarz.com. Kids under 12 get in for free, and Brooks says pets are allowed as long as they aren’t aggressive and the owners are cleaning up after their furry friends.

Concert guests also can bring their own lawn chairs and coolers.

For more information about the musical events, visit JazzUnderTheStarz.com.

There’s No Planned Community Like Avalon Park Wesley Chapel
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel began building its first homes in 2012. Today, 1,000 homes have been completed or are underway, and residents enjoy unique amenities, neighborhood schools, and easy access to Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando.

“We are not just developers — we are building a brand new town,” said Lerret. “We’re so much more than just another planned community – we’re bringing together everything a family needs to enjoy life today and in the future.”

Homes in the residential community range in price from the mid $200s to over $400s.

“Our builders offer homes for everyone, from teachers to physicians to empty-nesters wanting the convenience of the no-fuss, townhome lifestyle,” said Lerret.

Downtown Avalon Park
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will offer places to shop and work in its downtown hub that will be connected to its residential neighborhoods by tree-lined streets, walkways and bike paths.

“We are building a traditional downtown, with stores located inside of our community on the boulevard road leading to our residences, parks and schools,” said Lerret. “We are creating a town that spreads out from the town center connecting to individual neighborhoods — very much like the footprints of small towns found across America.”

The first phase of downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will include 130,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space and apartments built above the storefronts.

“We’re building beautiful, multi-story buildings with commercial space designed for businesses our residents want close to home — restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, bars and entertainment, hair and nail salons, as well as activities like dance, gymnastic and karate studios,” said Lerret.

Eventually, Avalon Park’s downtown will have more than 560,000 square feet of retail, and 120,000 square feet of office space. At build out, this 1,650-acre master-planned community will have about 4,400 single and multi-family homes, and be home to 10,000 residents.

Published April 27, 2022

Cornerstone Pros: Family Owned and Operated for 16 Years

By

When Dana Spears founded Cornerstone Pros in 2006, the company began as a small family AC business that was run out of her home. The first few years, she continued working a part-time job in the commercial insurance industry, raising her three small children. She worked every day to build her new business.

“We credit our growth on our founding principles of placing our customers and employees first – without them we would not be the company we are today,” said Spears.

Today, Cornerstone still values being a true family business – her children, who are now grown, work daily to continue supporting the community. The company has grown tremendously since 2006 and now employs over 95 employees who provide air conditioning, electrical and plumbing services to households in Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando and Pinellas counties.

‘We’ve been successful because we’ve built our business on integrity, reputation and trust,” said Spears. “Our motto is to go above and beyond customer expectations, and every one of our employees strives to make that happen every day.”

Spears attributes her company’s longevity and the strong commitment to the local community to its firm foundation.

“It is truly a wonderful feeling to have gone through years of bumps and bruises with all of our growing pains and to be able to look at what our team has accomplished by becoming a highly rated company in the industry,” said Spears.

Staffing shortages and industry changes require local business leaders to think outside of the box to fit a customer’s needs. Spears knows this. She is hands-on, and is continuously adjusting her team to accommodate the ever-evolving world we live in, to best benefit the community. As a mother with children, she also knows the importance of customer service, especially when it comes to allowing someone into your home. Her skilled technicians are trained to treat every home as if it’s their president’s home.

“We are so thankful to be celebrating our 16th year in business. We hope that you choose to work with our team on any of your home service needs,” said Spears. “You can take advantage of our online coupons and let us exceed your expectations.”

Cornerstone Pros’ phones are answered 24/7. Call at 813-949-4445, or visit their website, CornerstonePros.com, for live chats and scheduling.

Published April 27, 2022

Enjoy Jazz Under the Starz at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

By

In 2020, COVID-19 created a very difficult time for a lot of business owners like Arlene Brooks, who owns and operates Coffee Speaks n Tea Talks in New Tampa.

Her business closed for a period of time during the pandemic, but eventually was reopened. This was when Brooks realized that she needed to come up with a way to get people back into her parking lot.

“My goal with Jazz Under the Starz was to bring what was inside the coffee shop to the parking lot and create a safe, soulful environment for people to enjoy music and feel like a community again,” said Brooks.

Local artists who play the sax, clarinet, keys, violin and steel drum all came out and played from the heart.

Like most great events, Jazz Under the Starz is defined by those humble beginnings. During the pandemic, social distancing was at the forefront of Brooks’ priorities. Musicians would entertain using the instruments of their choosing to crowds of guests outside of her coffee shop and tea house.

What no one ever could have predicted was the sheer popularity of the event. Now, Brooks is looking toward the future, and helping to deliver the joy that Jazz music brings, to as many people in the community as possible.

With so much growth, Brooks yearned for a permanent home for Jazz Under the Starz. She turned to her local leaders at the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce for assistance. President and CEO Hope Kennedy was instrumental in making the connection Brooks needed to fulfill her future aspirations of a jazz clubhouse.

As it would turn out, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel was a perfect fit.

“It was an instantaneous connection and partnership,” said Brooks.

“We are not just developers — we are building a new town,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for Avalon Park Group. “We’re so much more than just another planned community – we’re bringing together everything a family needs to enjoy life today and in the future.”

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, located on State Road 54 about 3 miles east of Interstate 75, began building its first homes in 2012. Today, 1,000 homes have been completed or are underway, and residents enjoy unique amenities, neighborhood schools, and easy access to Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando.

When Avalon Park reaches its final development, it will offer places to shop and work in its downtown hub. The hub will be connected to its residential neighborhoods by tree-lined streets, walkways and bike paths, making for a picturesque and comfortable community. What better way to introduce the diverse community to new options of artistic entertainment than with the celebration of jazz music and a new jazz clubhouse?

“I want it to be a place where people can come and join together to celebrate the music. Everybody loves music and it helps you forget about the hardships of life,” said Brooks.

Recently, Jazz Under the Starz began their second season at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel that included not only jazz music, but different food trucks, and live artists who were painting at the same time as the concert and selling their work to guests.

“At our most recent concert, we had over 240 people attend,” said Brooks. “The band that played was great and everyone really enjoyed the event.”

Jazz Under the Starz is held every third Saturday of the month with a different band performing at each concert. Eventually, Brooks plans on having jazz musicians from a national level play for the community.

“These types of concerts and events really aren’t going on anywhere else in New Tampa/Wesley Chapel,” said Brooks. “My goal is to push the arts and celebrate all types of creativity as a community.”

The next Jazz Under the Starz concert will be held on April 16, at 33501 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, which is located behind Pinecrest Academy on Avalon Park property.

“You can purchase your tickets now on our website,” said Brooks. “Children under 12 are free, and pets are allowed as long as they aren’t aggressive and owners are cleaning up after their furry friends.”

Visitors also can bring their own lawn chairs and coolers to the concert.

For more information about the concert events, visit JazzUnderTheStarz.com.

Published March 30, 2022

Act Now and Take Advantage of Current Pricing at Cornerstone Pros

By

If you’re looking to update your air conditioning and/or water heater, and considering adding a home generator, Cornerstone Pros recommends you act now before more price increases are passed on from manufacturers to local dealers.

Like manufacturing companies everywhere, plants that make mechanical systems for homes are faced with parts and labor shortages, which are resulting in higher prices on everything from air conditioning units, refrigerants, hot water heaters, home generators, and parts and material for all trades.

Dana Spears, president and owner of Cornerstone Pros in Land O’ Lakes, says price increases like these are out of her control. Cornerstone has done its best to keep its prices as low as possible and is continuing to try to make its services affordable for homeowners.

“Unfortunately, the current manufacturing environment is seeing pricing fluctuate daily, making it difficult to forecast 100% of future repair and replacement costs. We already have received numerous price increases this year, and are being told more will be coming in the next two quarters, anywhere from 8% to 15%.”

Because of this, Spears strongly recommends homeowners stop putting off these home improvements, especially for new air conditioning systems.

“You can buy now, and pay low monthly payments with deferred interest for up to 18 months,” says Spears.

Cornerstone Pros always recommends regular maintenance and planning ahead when it comes to taking care of your home. This will save you money, and allow you to budget for future repairs. Spears suggests joining the Cornerstone Protection Plan, which covers two AC tune-ups a year, annual plumbing and electrical inspections, and discounted services, for one low monthly payment of $9.95.

“A preventative maintenance checkup can help prevent an emergency from happening at your home because it allows a technician to catch a problem prior to the system failing on that hot summer day,” said Spears. “We’re currently offering an AC System Maintenance Checkup at a special rate of $39.95 and this will allow new customers to try our five-star rated services.”

The only thing worse than having your AC go out on the hottest day of the year or your water heater breaking in the evening is not being able to get it repaired right away. Cornerstone wants to make this process as easy as possible for its customers. The company offers many ways to schedule through online chat, online booking, texting, or a call to the office.

Spears added that if you are in need of any of their services, reach out to schedule a certified Cornerstone service technician who will come to your home in a fully stocked truck ready to evaluate your home needs, and provide up-front pricing for any repairs needed. Cornerstone also offers free no-obligation written estimates for replacement of your current AC system, water heater, electrical panel or generator.

Check out the 10,000-plus online 5 star reviews and try it for yourself and see “The Cornerstone Difference,” exceeding expectations from beginning to the end.

Call 813-990-0561 anytime. For more information, visit the website at CornerstonePros.com.

Published March 30, 2022

‘No one does what we do,’ at Finishing Touches

By

Finishing Touches, located at the Tampa Premium Outlets, has taken lighting planning and design into the digital age.

“We fully embrace online shopping; our entire store is designed around it. The only fault to online shopping is you can’t see the product in person. That’s where we come in,” said owner Bill Richards.

Whereas most lighting showrooms are vast and overwhelming, Finishing Touches only displays what’s necessary. Each example is perfectly placed to give visitors a better idea of the online options regarding, size, color and style.

And it all starts at the in-store, Interactive Online Design Center.

“Our program is designed specifically for the lighting industry,” said Richards. “With this tool, we can customize a plan that falls within your budget and order it right to the store.”

At Finishing Touches, you get the tactile experience of seeing the product in person, while still having your favorite pick from the expansive stock that online shopping offers. Bill’s wife, Terry Richards, has been in the lighting industry for over 40 years. At Finishing Touches, she offers her design expertise for free, and helps every customer find what they want at a great price. What further sets Finishing Touches apart is the guaranteed customer service. By having in-store hosts instead of solely purchasing online, there’s always a place to come back to for help.

“We price match, too; if you find it cheaper somewhere else online, we’ve got you covered,” said Richards.

To find a lighting setup that fits your room perfectly, Finishing Touches is situated across from Saks Fifth Ave and Kate Spade, at the Tampa Premium Outlets.

Published March 30, 2022

The Demand is High for ICI Homes in Pasco County 

By

There’s a large increase in buyers from all different markets across the country trying to move to the Tampa Bay area and Pasco County.

“We’re seeing an overwhelming amount of interest from the East to West coasts,” says Greg Jones, Tampa division manager for ICI Homes.

Because of the high demand, ICI Homes is offering limited releases on a monthly basis in Lake Jovita and Connerton.

“We are seeing a lot of growth in Dade City. Families love the short, 20-minute drive to Wesley Chapel and the old-fashioned charm of downtown Dade City,” says Jones.

Only one inventory home, with the Arden floor plan, is still available and move-in ready in the residential community.

The Arden is a 2,402-square-foot, 4 bed/3 bath one-story home that is designed for entertaining and gracious family living. The foyer leads to a large living room centrally located for maximum convenience. A spacious gourmet kitchen and dining area are perfect for entertaining guests or spending quality time with the family. Views from the dining room look out on the covered lanai and large backyard.

“My favorite part about the Arden is the open living area, along with the master suite and bathroom,” says Jones.

The master suite features a luxurious bath and a large double-entry walk-in closet. The home is designed so that children and guests can enjoy their own separate spaces. It also includes a 3-car garage.

As for Connerton, Jones says demand is equally as high.

“Connerton, Pasco County’s largest, master-planned, mixed-use community is located in Land O’ Lakes and is one of the developments that many people are interested in,” says Jones.

Rose Pointe, a small gated community within Connerton, offers a clubhouse with a full-time activities director, fitness center, gym, large resort-style pool and more. This small gated community is one of the many features that makes Connerton stand out to potential homebuyers.

Another gem in the Rose Pointe community is the Connerton Nature Preserve, which features a scenic 2-mile trail that winds through natural wilderness, lakes and wetlands. The trail’s 10-foot-wide sidewalks allow for easy biking and walking through Connerton’s picturesque landscape.

Phase Two of Persimmon Park Is Progressing
The land development team is working hard on phase two, and Jones is excited for the recent progress.

“With the continued high demand for the Wesley Chapel area, we are excited to have finished phase one of Persimmon Park and are looking forward to starting phase two as soon as possible,” says Jones.

Located in Wesley Chapel by The Shops at Wiregrass, all Persimmon Park homes have open floor plans with front porches, and garages and alleys at the back of the home. Its amenity center includes a unique, T-shaped luxury pool with cabanas and a grilling area.

The Primrose is Persimmon Park’s most popular floor plan. This two-story plan features nearly 2,500 square feet of living space, with a master bedroom suite on the main level, along with one guest bedroom and bathroom. The spacious living area is connected to a beautiful kitchen and dining area with plenty of room for family and friends to gather. The second story includes two additional bedrooms, a full bath, and a bonus room that is perfect for gaming, entertaining, family time or guest privacy.

Asturia Is Temporarily Sold Out
Asturia, a 550-home master-planned community situated on 500 pristine acres in Odessa along the State Road 54 corridor, just five minutes from the Suncoast Parkway, is sold out of lots.

“Even though we are currently sold out, we are still welcoming VIP appointments to potential buyers in Asturia,” says Jones.

ICI Homes is the exclusive builder in Asturia and has built plenty of inventory homes, including the one-story, 2,193-square-foot Juliette III, for families looking for open and spacious floor plans that include Florida-lifestyle features like summer kitchen patios, open balconies, and tons of windows.

“Asturia is one of the most successful developments in Pasco County, which residents love for its smaller size and convenient location to major roadways,” said Jones.

Asturia offers a kid-friendly, family oriented lifestyle surrounded by miles of multi-use trails, interspersed with dog parks and pocket parks. Its distinctive, 5,800-square-foot Amenity Center includes a fully equipped fitness center, covered outdoor living rooms, a luxurious resort-style swimming pool and expansive lawn areas for recreation.

ICI Homes model homes are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday. The Persimmon Park model is at 3793 Lajuana Blvd., Wesley Chapel; the Asturia model is at 2112 Secret Cove in Odessa; and the Lake Jovita Sales Center is at 12330 Lake Jovita Blvd., in Dade City. To schedule a VIP appointment, call 844-349-6401, or email Jones at .

Published February 23, 2022

Upgrade Your Home with a Tankless Water Heater from Cornerstone Pros

By

Efficient water heaters are essential to your home comfort systems. From taking a shower to washing the dishes, individuals need hot water throughout their day.

That’s why Cornerstone Pros Air Conditioning, Plumbing, and Electrical in Land O’ Lakes is offering tankless water heaters and suggesting that locals take advantage of this new technology that eliminates waste and significantly lowers energy bills.

Tankless Water Heating Specials
$100 Off New Tankless or Hybrid Water Heater Installed & Free estimates for Tank type and tankless water heaters replacements

James Reese, Plumbing Service Manager at Cornerstone Pros, explained that if your home was built in the past 12-20 years, it is likely overdue for a new water heater, A/C system and possible electrical panel.

“Unfortunately, water heaters age and eventually will start to fail. Some warning signs include corrosion buildup on pipe fittings, water leaks, hot water that doesn’t last long enough or hot water that is MIA,” says Reese.

With tankless, Cornerstone Pros is able to get rid of the enormous tank that takes up space in almost every closet or garage, and install a tankless water heater that carries a longer warranty than the average water heater.

“Tankless water heaters heat up on-demand for 99% operational efficiency,” adds Reese.

This guarantees that customers don’t have to pay to maintain the heat; they will only need to pay when they use the hot water. Tankless isn’t instant hot water, but it does warrant endless hot water throughout someone’s home.

“Tankless heaters were engineered with safety in mind; their designs incorporate numerous user-friendly features along with technologies like dry-fire defense, freeze protection, smart-grid capabilities and leak detection that prevent product failure,” says Reese.

Along with user-friendly features and reliable technology, some tankless are Wi-Fi enabled and customers can monitor their water heater from an app off their cellphones. Most plumbing malfunctions happen at inconvenient times, so this feature gives customers the ability to identify any issues before they’re too serious.

Cornerstone Pros is a woman-owned and family-operated business founded in 2006 in Land O’ Lakes. It has been serving our local community for more than 16 years showing customers the “Cornerstone Difference.” Over the years, it has built a strong, long-term relationship with the community that shows it truly is an elite home service provider for all of your home needs.

Owner Dana Spears says she is so proud of the dedication and service of her team to our community, and is honored to have over ten thousand online reviews showing full customer satisfaction.

For more information and/or to get a free quote for different water heating options, call 813-995-7558, or visit the Cornerstone Pros website, at CornerstonePros.com.

Published February 23, 2022

Don’t Trash It! How to Give Old Furniture a Fresh Look

By

It could be your goal for this year’s spring cleaning: flip a piece of furniture.

Revitalizing an old piece of furniture into something you’d be proud to display (or even sell on Facebook Marketplace) has been deemed a laborious task. But with new revelations in paint technology, it really doesn’t have to be.

Bella Home Market in Lutz has always been known for its unique gifts and home décor finds, but it is also a proud, Elite retailer for the popular brand of chalk paint, Dixie Belle.

As an Elite Retailer, Bella Home Market carries the complete line of Dixie Belle Paint products, including their Silk line. Silk products are primer, pigment color and top coat – all in one product. Old dressers or nightstands can be transformed immediately in just a couple coats, with just one product. The durability of the furniture remains the same, as well.

Owner of Bella Home Market, Lou Malerba, holds classes in store to help guests learn the technique for working with the paint properly. It’s great for anyone looking to learn how they can truly transform their home this spring cleaning season.

For online orders and Dixie Belle class signups, visit BellaHomeMarket.com.

Published February 23, 2022

En-LIGHT-ening You and Your Home at Finishing Touches

By

Finishing Touches is a new lighting and fans showroom located in the heart of the Wesley Chapel/Land O’ Lakes area. Locally owned and operated by Bill and Terry Richards, the store offers a wide variety of lighting, ceiling fans and home décor. Terry has been in the lighting industry in this area for 40 years and knows precisely how to combine the best lighting touches with your home’s décor.

“We are passionate about lighting and keeping up with new designs and technologies,” said Richards. “Our focus is on finding you the right lighting for the right space, at the right price.”

As soon as you enter the store, you’re greeted by a comfortable store setting boasting beautiful selections of diverse lighting, along with over 70 ceiling fans of all sizes, styles and price ranges. Unique furnishings and artwork adorn the walls and floor to create a boutique feel.

”We have fans from 20” to 120” – something for everyone!” says Bill. “Besides what we have in the showroom, maybe you have a different style in mind. We can help you find it with our Online Design Center in the showroom. With Terry’s expertise, she will find what you are dreaming of AND in your budget. Our software gives us up-to-date info on stock availability and online prices, which we will meet or beat in most cases.”

The showroom is located in the Tampa Premium Outlets across from Kate Spade, a well-known women’s boutique. Hours are Monday thru Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Published February 23, 2022

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel’s Founder Welcomes All to Community

By

 In the mid-90s, Beat Kahli (president and CEO of Avalon Park Group) and his wife Jill moved from Switzerland to the suburbs of Fort Lauderdale in South Florida.

“It was a big change. I rarely saw anyone I knew when I would leave my home in the morning. There was no sense of community,” says Kahli.

This kind of environment was completely different from where Kahli grew up in Switzerland. He missed being in a town where he was able to live, learn, work and play.

Beat Kahli, president and CEO of Avalon Park Group

“In my native hometown, Zurich, I could walk from my home to anything I need in my daily life… work, school, grocery stores, restaurants, etc.,” says Kahli. “That hometown culture was the blueprint for Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Only my vision was to make it even better.”

And Kahli did just that.

“I love the peace of mind knowing that you can live your whole life, should you wish, in one place,” says Kahli.

“You can live in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel at all stages of life. From a college student in an apartment, to an individual looking to purchase their first home, to a growing family looking to buy a larger home, and even an older couple looking to settle down in a smaller townhome/apartment.”

Kahli believes a healthy community is made up of a diverse body of people. A town where people of various racial, economic and cultural backgrounds can live together. Kahli says this melting pot of perspectives gives the community depth and allows its members to live life inclusive of every background and belief, regardless of generation, origin, race and income class.

“As a developer, one of the ways that we build diversity at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is by building an open community at every price point. I personally do not think gated communities with only single-family homes in one price point (often at the higher end) create a healthy community,” says Kahli.

Additionally, it is not uncommon in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel to have families with four generations living within walking distance of each other.

“The grandparents can spend quality time with the grandkids after school, while the parents are at work,” says Kahli. “Building roots in a community is a healthy way to make a town, and family, strong.”

There’s No Planned Community Like Avalon Park Wesley Chapel
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, located on State Road 54 about 3 miles east of Interstate 75, began building its first homes in 2012. Today, 1,000 homes have been completed or are underway, and residents enjoy unique amenities, neighborhood schools, and easy access to Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando.

“We are not just developers — we are building a brand new town,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for Avalon Park Group. “We’re so much more than just another planned community – we’re bringing together everything a family needs to enjoy life today and in the future.”

Homes in the residential community range in price from the mid $200s to over $400s.

“Our builders offer homes for everyone, from teachers to physicians to empty-nesters wanting the convenience of the no-fuss, townhome lifestyle,” said Lerret.

Downtown Avalon Park
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will offer places to shop and work in its downtown hub that will be connected to its residential neighborhoods by tree-lined streets, walkways and bike paths.

“We are building a traditional downtown, with stores located inside of our community on the boulevard road leading to our residences, parks and schools,” said Lerret. “We are creating a town that spreads out from the town center connecting to individual neighborhoods — very much like the footprints of small towns found across America.”

The first phase of downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will include 130,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space and apartments built above the storefronts.

“We’re building beautiful, multi-story buildings with commercial space designed for businesses our residents want close to home — restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, bars and entertainment, hair and nail salons, as well as activities like dance, gymnastic and karate studios,” said Lerret.

Eventually, Avalon Park’s downtown will have more than 560,000 square feet of retail, and 120,000 square feet of office space. At build out, this 1,650-acre master-planned community will have about 4,400 single and multi-family homes, and be home to 10,000 residents.

Published February 23, 2022