The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Efforts being made to speed up project on U.S. 301

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The Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has agreed to a request by the Florida Department of Transportation to merge two transportation projects on U.S. 301, to speed up work on the planned improvement.

Combining two segments of the U.S. 301 roadway widening will allow the state transportation department to meet design-build criteria for the project, which means the project will be built sooner.

The existing project segments are from the Polk County line/County Road 54 to Old Lakeland Highway; and from Old Lakeland Highway to U.S. 301/State Road 53/State Road 39 and State Road 700.

The combined project will extend from the Polk County line/CR 54 to US 301/SR 53/SR 39/SR 700.

The Pasco County MPO approved a change to its Transportation Improvement Plan to accommodate the change during its Jan. 12 meeting. The MPO is the lead transportation organization for Pasco County and includes elected officials from Pasco County, Zephyrhills, Dade City, New Port Richey and Port Richey.

Jensen Hackett, of the Florida Department of Transportation, told the board: “There’s no financial increase for this part of the project in the TIP amendment.”

“These are the two segments that are between the county line of Pasco and Polk County and U.S. 301 and U.S. 98, just to the south side of Dade City.”

Published January 25, 2023

Pasco needs to plan ahead for trail connections, elected officials say

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Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey’s passion for providing more safe ways for people to get around, and to enjoy nature, is no secret.

Virtually every time a request for a rezoning comes before the county board, she wants to know how the new development will connect to others around it, and she also advocates for trails to tie in to  existing ones, and/or that new multi-use paths be created within the proposed project.

But Starkey recently learned that no trail was included in the project to widen Clinton Avenue, from Curley Road to U.S. 301, and she wasn’t happy.

She brought up the topic during the Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Jan. 12 meeting.

“I want to apologize to St. Leo, San Antonio, Zephyrhills and Dade City,” Starkey said. “I did not know this was happening.”

This 10-foot wide multi-use path runs along the south side of the State Road 56 extension, between Meadow Pointe and U.S. 301. (File)

Starkey said she thinks Tina Russo, the MPO’s planner for pedestrian and bicycle safety, also was unaware of the situation.

To make sure her MPO board colleagues understood the issue, Starkey explained: “You know, we’re widening Clinton Avenue. It’s going to become the new road State Road 52.”

When the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) builds new roads, its practice is to add a sidewalk on one side of the road and a multi-use path on the other, she said.

“Sadly after our last (county) board meeting, I drove on some of the new Clinton Avenue extension and I came down Prospect (Road). When I came down Prospect and I headed west, I noticed that there was only a sidewalk on the north side and a sidewalk on the south side.”

The multi-use trail didn’t show up until she reached Curley Road, Starkey said.

So, she began looking into it to find out why.

She discovered that someone on the county’s staff had decided not to build a trail on the road because, Starkey said, in the staffer’s opinion: “it wouldn’t connect to anything.”

Starkey said she reminded county staff that there is a trail that’s been open for years that goes from Dade City to Zephyrhills, and is planned to extend beyond that.

Russo told the MPO board: “We’re looking at ways of correcting that situation. We’ve reached out to (Florida) DOT.”

She said efforts will continue to find the best way to correct the situation, from Curley Road east to U.S. 301.

It’s still a current project, but we’ll find out the best way to correct that situation, from Curley east to (U.S.) 301.”

Starkey added: “It is super frustrating to me because it is a multimillion dollar hiccup.

“I’ve talked to our county administrator about this because this isn’t the first time we’ve messed up. This is the biggest one that I know of, in the county. In my opinion, it’s a mess-up. Others may not think so, but I think it’s a huge mess-up.

“It’s just that we are disjointed in our trails planning. We need to have someone looking at the big picture because we have the engineering department making trail decisions. We have parks and rec making trail decisions. We have MPO making some. And they’re not talking to each other.

“Tina did not know that that trail was not being constructed. And, you couldn’t tell until they laid the sidewalk.

“She didn’t know until I called her.”

Russo explained: “We saw the piece already done, basically west of Curley. In fact, we got a tour of that piece. A beautiful facility. We kind of made the assumption that the typical was the same through the whole project.”

Russo also noted that the project was approved years ago.

“Moving forward we’re going to see what we can do to correct that situation and keep these from happening again,” she said.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano asked: “So, the way the MPO approved it was with the trail, correct?”

Russo: “Again, that project was approved going back to (Florida) DOT back in ’18, that was before I was here for sure.”

The project is a county project, as well as a state project, Russo said.

Starkey added: “I talked to engineering. They made a conscious decision to end it at Curley.”

“That’s what bothers me,” Mariano interjected.

Justin Hall, with FDOT, said when the project was approved, it would have been as a widening realignment with sidewalks.

He confirmed that Pasco County staff made the decision not to include the trail further to the east.

But, Hall said that FDOT could commit to doing a feasibility study to see what it needs to build the trail.

“If there’s available right of way, we can make a revision,” Hall said.

“If there’s not available right of way, or if it’s spotty, it probably would be better to have them finish the sidewalk and then have them come back.

“If not, we’re leaving a gap in the sidewalk, for whatever time it takes us to acquire the right of way, so I think it would be better for us to finish the sidewalk.

But Mariano said he didn’t want the sidewalk to be poured, just to have it ripped back up.

Hall told the MPO board: “I think we can come back next meeting with what we would need for right of way. I don’t think that’s a very big lift.”

Oakley said he thinks the county can work with FDOT, and then asked Hall to look into it and come back. In the meantime, Oakley said he would talk to the county’s engineering staff.

The idea, Oakley said, is to work together.

Pasco MPO Board Chairman Lance Armstrong agreed with Starkey that the county needs to be taking a look at the big picture.

“If we’re trying to create a trail network and we have a new road that could be a vital part of the network and we missed it, we’ve got an issue.”

Starkey agreed: “And that was such an important connection for Dade City and Saint Leo and Zephyrhills.”

Smith added:  “You know what, we all need to pay attention. We really need to have our eyes open.”

Adding the trail between Curley Road and U.S. 301 is one issue, Armstrong said.

“The second one is making sure it doesn’t happen in the future. That’s a totally different issue.”

“We can’t miss a connection,” Smith said.

Published January 25, 2023

Efforts continue to find safe ways for kids to get to school

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Whether it is adding sidewalks or extending public bus routes, elected leaders are seeking more ways to help students get to school safely.

The issue came up during the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Jan. 12 meeting, where Jensen Hackett, of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), touched on planned sidewalk improvements in the county.

A new funding source that came out of the infrastructure bill that was passed by the federal government is expected to yield about $2 million for sidewalks across Pasco County, Hackett said.

He said the FDOT will be working with the MPO staff to prioritize sidewalk gaps across the county that are on the state road network.

Additionally, the City of Zephyrhills has set aside a million dollars in the current budget year to address sidewalk needs within the city.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano said he’d also like to see the county’s public bus system, GoPasco, see if it can expand routes in some areas to give public school students who live within 2 miles of school an opportunity to ride a bus to get closer to school.

The increased attention on sidewalks and public transportation stems from a decision made by Pasco County Schools to end “courtesy” busing for sixth- through 12th-graders living within 2 miles of school.

The decision prompted parents to express concerns that they are worried about their children walking to school when it’s dark, on streets that often lack both sidewalks and streetlights.

Elected officials have responded by trying to identify additional funding sources to address the issue.

In deciding to end the “courtesy” busing, school district officials cited a shortage of both bus drivers to provide the service and money to pay for it.

Published January 25, 2023

Zephyrhills seeking artist for next mural

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Main Street Zephyrhills issued a call for artists for the city’s ongoing mural series that is meant to brighten up, beautify and even modernize the constantly transforming historic downtown district.

The Zephyrhills Public Library, and its crosswalk in front of the building on Eighth Street, will be the site of the city’s next mural and is tentatively scheduled to be finished by the end of May 2023. (Mike Camunas)

The next mural is slated to be painted on the crosswalk in front of Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St. All local artists are welcome to apply to be awarded the project, which will not exceed a budget of $5,000.

Those interested must submit an application demonstrating experience in the execution of art projects from concept to completion; meeting a specific budget and time frame; and, working in the public realm with public agencies. A combination of experience and creative design also will be considered.

Deadline to apply is March 17 at 3 p.m.. The artist will be selected by March 31.

The artist will then propose and finalize concept artwork by April 28, then given a month to complete the project by May 31.

The artist(s) are responsible for all arrangements and site preparations, including pressure wash of surfaces and applying primer and final sealant, costs, including delivery of equipment, and tools, as necessary to provide a completed and installed work.

All installations must be able to withstand Central Florida subtropical weather conditions. Safety is crucial for the artist and general public. Artists are responsible to ensure a safe environment while their work is in progress.

This mural will serve dual purposes of adding flare to a traditional crosswalk and being an identifier of a safe place for pedestrian crossing.

Applications must include:

  • Application cover sheet
  • Itemized budget clearly defining costs associated with the project. The total cost cannot exceed $5,000.
  • Professional resume, previous work on display and location, current gallery affiliations, documented exhibits and so on.
  • Links to digital portfolios including examples of work, news articles, accolades, etc.

Artists must deliver their package to: Main Street Zephyrhills, Attention: Erin Beasley, 5335 Eighth St.

Zephyrhills, FL 33542.

Additional questions can be emailed to .

 

Pasco brings home two awards from Gulf Coast summit

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Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey and Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Planner Tina Russo recently received awards at the Gulf Coast Safe Streets Summit for their work to keep the traveling public safe.

Gulf Coast Safe Streets is an organization that recognizes community leaders who go above and beyond in their commitment to improving driving, bicycling and walking safety, according to a Pasco County news release.

Starkey received the Vision Zero Hero Award for her unwavering dedication to the creation of trails and sidewalks to give walkers, runners and cyclists safe ways to get around.

Russo received the Bob the Builder Award for her devotion to bicyclist and pedestrian safety, according to the release. She’s known throughout the region for passion for keeping people safe, the release notes.

“This recognition means a lot to me,” said Starkey, in the release.

Russo noted: “Pasco County is on the move, and we’re always thinking of new ways to improve transportation.”

The summit is an educational event that brings together national speakers, public officials, technical staff, counties and community partners to highlight efforts on how to design and implement safe and equitable transportation.

Published January 25, 2023

Shining a spotlight on a century-old lumber business

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Long before most of Pasco County’s residents settled here, the San Antonio Lumber Company was meeting customer’s needs for building supplies.

The Pasco County Commission took a few minutes on Jan. 10 to congratulate members of the Schrader family, whose members have been involved in the business since 1923.

Tom and Sarah Schrader, and some other family members were there, when the county board passed a resolution honoring the company’s 100th year.

Originally, Herman Schrader was involved in the business with J.P. Lynch in 1929, but Schrader bought out Lynch and ran the lumber company until 1937, according to the county’s resolution.

Members of the Schrader family pose with the Pasco County Commission and other county officials during the county board’s Jan. 10 meeting, where the Schrader’s company, San Antonio Lumber, was honored for its century of business operations. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Next, Arthur Schrader took over and remained at the helm for two decades. Then, Arthur Schrader Jr., took over in 1957.

Arthur Schrader Jr., is credited with expanding the store and its business operations, by heading up regional agriculture pilot programs and forging an alliance with the Purina Chow Company.

When Arthur Schrader Jr., died in 1994, his son, Thomas Schrader, took over the company, and now, Thomas Schrader’s daughter, Sarah, is the lumber company’s president. She joined the family business in 2012 after graduating from Stetson University and working several years in other industries.

“We are the largest independent lumber company in East Pasco County, and the only one, by the way,” Thomas Schrader told board members.

“We’ve had a lot of great customers over the years. A lot of good employees — some have been there 40, 50 years. All of the family has been involved with the business, at one time or another.

“My grandfather is over on the wall,” he said, pointing to photographs of former county commissioners, whose portraits line a wall in the county board’s chamber on the second-floor of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse. “Teddy (Ted Schrader) is over on the wall. They were both county commissioners.

“We’re just glad to still be here. We have about 22 employees now. They’ve all been there many, many years,” he said.

Sarah Schrader added: “We just want to thank you for acknowledging our business. We appreciate it.”

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, whose district includes San Antonio, said his relationship with the lumber company spans 40 years.

“I built my first home buying material from San Ann (San Antonio) Lumber, back in the ’70s. I’m building my last home, right now, finishing up, buying materials from San Ann Lumber.

“And, I’ve done other homes and other projects for my company and my family — over the years, so many different ways we’ve been able to use your company and get what we need, as far as building construction needs,” Oakley said.

“I congratulate you. Not many companies last 100 years. They don’t have anybody to take over, they’re sold, or gone. Thank you, for all that you’ve done for our community and for East Pasco and for working with us.

“It’s been a joy to do business with you all, and your family. You’ve been a great asset to the community,” Oakley said.

Commissioner Seth Weightman noted one thing he thinks that’s unique about San Antonio Lumber is that Mr. Schrader has been known to write personal thank you notes to customers.

“That’s something unique to the business, that I thought was pretty special,” Weightman added.

Commissioners Kathryn Starkey marveled at the company’s staying power.

“Any business that can survive that long, that’s fantastic,” she said.

Commissioner Gary Bradford added: “I can appreciate the longevity of your business, so well done.”

Commission Chairman Jack Mariano told the Schraders: “Congratulations on 100 years. That’s a great accomplishment. Your family has done a great service for this county — made it better and better.”

Published January 25, 2023

Improvements planned on Suncoast Parkway

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The five-year tentative work plan for the Florida Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) includes $40 million in major projects for Pasco County, according to Siaosi Fine, of the turnpike enterprise.

The tentative work program covers fiscal year 2024 through fiscal year 2028.

Two resurfacing projects on the Suncoast Parkway are in the plan, with one project from mile post 17.5 to mile post 28.5 funded for construction in fiscal year 2025, and another project calling for resurfacing from mile post 28.5 to mile post 37.3, funded in 2026.

The plan also calls for a project development and environment study (PD&E) involving the widening of the Suncoast Parkway, from Van Dyke Road to State Road 52.

“We will be evaluating the widening of the parkway and potential improvements to interchanges, like State Road 54 and State Road 52; we’ll be evaluating the need for new interchanges, like Tower Road,” Fine said.

He added: “We’re close to kicking off the PD&E study and we’ll be coordinating closely with Pasco County and the MPO.

Fine gave a presentation on tentative work plan at the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Jan. 12 meeting.

Published January 25, 2023

Duke Energy is giving away free trees

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Duke Energy is celebrating Florida Arbor Day by giving away 1,200 trees to customers throughout Florida.

Florida Arbor Day is recognized on the third Friday in January, which was Jan. 20.

The company began giving out trees on Jan. 20, and will continue doing so until the supplies run out, according to a news release.

To request one, go to ArborDay.org/dukeenergy.

The one-gallon trees are shipped directly to customers’ homes with planting and care instructions. They are expected to be delivered in time for National Arbor Day on April 28.

Available tree species include the dahoon holly, sweetbay magnolia, baldcypress, crape myrtle (pink) and crape myrtle (red).

Duke Energy Florida is donating $50,000 to the Arbor Day Foundation to purchase and distribute the trees through its Energy-Saving Trees program.

The energy company gives the trees away to encourage tree planting to maximize environmental benefits and conserve energy, the release says.

Published January 25, 2023

Interchange at Overpass Road and I-75 expected to open soon

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The new Interstate 75 interchange at Overpass Road, in Pasco County, is expected to open by the end of January.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley shared that news during the county board’s Jan. 10 meeting.

The new interchange is about 3.5 miles south of State Road 52 in Pasco County.

The new diamond interchange will include a flyover ramp for westbound Overpass Road access onto southbound I-75, according to information about the project included on the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 7 website.

Ridge Road will eventually be extended east, all the way to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes, and go through the planned town of Angeline. (Mike Camunas)

To accommodate the new interchange, Overpass Road has been widened from two lanes to four lanes between the interstate and Old Pasco Road, and six lanes between the interstate and Boyette Road. Blair Drive has been realigned to connect with Old Pasco Road. McKendree Road has been realigned to connect with Boyette Road.

At the same meeting, County Administrator Mike Carballa told board members that the bid for the next phase of the Ridge Road extension could go out as soon as this winter or spring.

That project will extend the transportation corridor from the Suncoast Parkway to U.S. 41, in Land O’ Lakes.

The first leg of the extension now carries traffic from Moon Lake Road in New Port Richey to the Suncoast Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. The second leg, which is slated for completion in 2025, will extend Ridge Road over to U.S. 41, also known as Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.

County officials have pushed for the Ridge Road extension for decades, but encountered legal challenges from environmentalists and faced permitting delays.

Pasco officials persisted in the quest to get the new road, describing it as a critical hurricane evacuation route and as another needed east-west transportation corridor for Pasco motorists.

Officials also have noted that the extension will improve accessibility to a rapidly growing area in Pasco County, as plans move ahead for Moffitt Cancer Center’s Pasco campus, which is expected to attract life science companies and researchers from around the globe.

The campus is in the center of a newly emerging area, known as Angeline, which will feature diverse housing styles, an extensive trail system, the latest in internet technology, schools, a community farm, wetlands and other features.

On other topics:

  • Commissioner Kathryn Starkey told her colleagues that the county needs to have an enforcement plan to respond to illegal used car dealerships and storage facilities. She’d also like the board to have a discussion on the issue of short-term rentals. Plus, she informed them of a planned celebration for international business at the board’s Feb. 21 meeting.
  • Commissioner Gary Bradford also informed the board that he had spoken at a groundbreaking ceremony for Fire Rescue Station No. 20, on Little Ranch Road. The old station had two bays. This one will have four.

In addition to hearing those updates, the county board:

  • Approved an agreement with Asphalt Paving Systems Inc., for the Lacoochee Industrial right of way improvements, segments one and two, for nearly $2.17 million
  • Approved a contract for $730,246 with Daikin Applied Americas Inc., to replace the chiller system at the East Pasco Government Center. The 22-year-old chiller HVAC system has outlasted its expected 15-year life cycle and for the past year a rented, temporary exterior chiller system has been used to cool the build. The price includes a 10-year warranty for parts and labor.
  • Approved spending up to $69,000 for a Staff Development Day appreciation celebration ceremony for all county employees, planned for Feb. 20
  • Approved a contract with Sunbelt Sod & Grading Company for a total of $1.75 million, for as-needed sod over fiscal years 2023 through 2025
  • Approved a contract with Daikin Applied for $304,490 for the purchase and installation of five energy recovery ventilators and the installation of a safety railing system in the Charlie Barracks of the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center

Published January 18, 2023

Setting the stage to remember fallen law enforcement officers

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Crews cut trees last week to prepare for the construction of the Pasco County Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial.

That’s just one step needed to erect the planned memorial on the front law of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in downtown Dade City.

It’s a project that’s been a longtime coming — but now that the money has been raised to pay for the permanent tribute, it won’t be too much longer before the vision becomes reality.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley gave his colleagues an update on the project during the county board’s Jan. 10 meeting.

This is a rendering of what the Pasco County Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial will look like, when construction is completed in coming months. (File)

He expects construction of the memorial to be complete within the next three months to four months, weather permitting.

“We hope to see that memorial out on the front lawn, on the corner, next to Meridian Avenue and Seventh Street,” Oakley said, during the meeting, held in the board’s second-floor chambers in the historic courthouse.

Commission Chairman Jack Mariano reacted enthusiastically to the news: “Looking forward to that!”

Oakley added: “Yeah, it’s been a long wait. We’ve been waiting like nine years to get that done.”

Mariano expressed the county’s gratitude to Oakley for the commissioner’s private efforts to raise the money for the project.

Oakley thanked others who were involved, as well.

The project was started almost a decade ago.

Tim Hennigan, who has been involved in the efforts since the beginning, recapped the history during a groundbreaking ceremony for the memorial in October.

He told those gathered about the event that inspired the effort to pursue a permanent memorial.

It was windy and rainy one year during the Pasco Sheriff’s annual memorial ceremony for fallen law enforcement office, recalled Hennigan, who is president of the board for the Pasco County Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Memorial and Benefit Foundation Inc.

Photos of the fallen officers began blowing away, he said.

Hennigan said his wife encouraged him to put together an organization to pursue the construction of a permanent memorial, so he did.

Hennigan enlisted his friend, Skip Stone to get involved and they sat down with an accountant to get the ball rolling.

Fundraising efforts began small, but others joined in, including Craig Laporte, an attorney who is a former Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputy.

Oakley, his friend Randy Blankenship, and others recently helped push the fundraising effort for the memorial over the finish line.

When the memorial is completed, Pasco will join the state’s other 66 counties that already have permanent memorials to their fallen law enforcement officers.

“We have a lot of citizens that look forward to that being placed there, in support of our law enforcement,” Oakley said.

Published January 18, 2023