The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Full services resume at Dade City tax collector office

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Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano has announced that his office’s Dade City location has resumed full services, effective Oct. 15.

The office is located at 14236 Sixth St., No. 100, in the East Pasco Government Center, in Dade City.

The tax collector’s Dade City location has been providing limited services since early August to enable needed remodeling, according to a news release from the tax collector’s office.

All services provided at the Dade City office prior to the remodel once again will be available including automobile/boat registrations and renewals, driver licenses, title work (Florida title and out-of-state titles transferring to Florida), hunting and fishing licenses, property tax, concealed weapons permits, and property tax payments.

For a complete list of services offered at the tax collector locations, visit PascoTaxes.com.

In addition to the website, call these numbers for more information: 727-847-8032, 813-235-6076 or 352-521-4338.

Calls are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Published October 20, 2021

Request for Lutz 7-Eleven is delayed

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The Hillsborough County Commission voted 4-3 to remand a rezoning request for a gas station and carwash off U.S. 41, north of Sunset Lane, in Lutz.

Commissioners Ken Hagan, Kimberly Overman, Mariella Smith and Chairwoman Pat Kemp voted to remand the request and Commissioners Harry Cohen, Gwen Myers and Stacy White dissented.

Those who voted to send the case back to the zoning hearing master for further review specifically said they want the county’s Department of Environmental Protection to take a closer look at whether a septic system will be capable of  handling the discharge from a proposed carwash.

They voiced concerns about potential problems because the area has lakes, private wells and sensitive wetlands.

Commissioner Smith said the hearing can explore other issues, too.

“I would not have it limited,” she said, noting that citizens are free to discuss other topics, such as light pollution and compatibility, she added.

During the Hillsborough board’s Oct. 12 public hearing, Smith said the county also needs to take a closer look at its rezoning process.

Under current procedures, no testimony can be presented to commissioners during a rezoning hearing unless it was part of the record before the zoning hearing master.

The zoning hearing master recommends approval or denial on zoning cases, but the county board has the final word.

The request, by RKM and 7-Eleven, drew both support and opposition at the county board’s hearing and also at the zoning hearing master hearing on Aug. 16.

Attorney Cami Corbett, representing the applicants at both hearings, described the proposed gas station as a modern building, designed specifically to fit within the character of Lutz.

She said it is within the node that’s specifically designated for neighborhood commercial development within the Lutz Community Plan.

Natalie Davis, of 17880 N. U.S. 41, in Lutz, spoke in favor of the request at both hearings.

She noted that Lutz typically has wanted to slow development — but even so, a significant amount of new projects have popped up along U.S. 41.

Those developments have included a Publix, a Dunkin’ Donuts, restaurants, McDonald’s, a self-storage unit, a Walgreens, a bank, and professional office parks, as well as new neighborhoods.

Davis favors growth along U.S. 41, which she noted is a six-lane road, and questioned why a gas station should be excluded.

“I am here to represent the next generation of Lutz,” she said.

Gus Weekley, who owns the property up for rezoning, along with his brother, said the family has deep roots in Lutz.

The proposed site of the gas station is land that was owned by his grandmother and where she sold fruit raised on the land to those traveling by on the only major road into Tampa.

“We believe that Lutz is a special community,” he said, adding the 7-Eleven will be a good fit.

Sam Calco, president of the Lutz Citizens Coalition, spoke against the request.

He noted an error in the hearing master’s record and said that was sufficient to merit a remand.

County staff, however, said that the hearing officer’s recommendation was based on accurate information, despite the error in the report.

Jay Muffly, a longtime community activist, was direct: “I oppose this rezoning because it is not compatible with the Lutz community. Period.”

He also expressed concerns about potential negative impacts from light pollution.

Both Kemp and Overman voiced concerns about allowing a car wash to operate on a septic system.

The idea of dropping the carwash from the application was raised, but the applicant indicated no interest in taking that approach.

The project would hook onto public water and sewer, but it is not available, Corbett said.

Questions also were raised about whether the proposed development meets the county’s locational criteria.

That standard says the project should be within 900 feet of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Sunset Lane. But a portion of the proposed project is 960 feet away from that intersection, according to testimony provided during the county board’s discussion.

Commissioner Hagan initially said he wasn’t sure the board had legal grounds to deny the rezoning.

Ultimately, though, he went along with three of his colleagues when they called for a remand to pursue additional information.

The next hearing has been set for Nov. 15 at 6 p.m.

In-person and remote hybrid Zoning Hearing Master meetings are held at Robert W. Saunders Sr. Public Library, in the Ada T. Payne Community Room, at 1505 N. Nebraska Ave., in downtown Tampa.

Published October 20, 2021

NAMI Pasco names Heroes of Hope

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NAMI Pasco County has named its 2021 Heroes of Hope, recognizing those who go the extra mile to help people with mental health conditions.

Joey Johnston, a contributor to The Laker/Lutz News, was recognized as the Media Person of the Year, for work published in The Laker/Lutz News.

Other recipients were:

  • Professional of the Year: Dr. Eddie Williams
  • Board Member of the Year: Elaina Sabra
  • College Advocate of the Year: Heather Snyder
  • Justice Hero of the Year: Brandi Geoit
  • Unsung Hero of the Year: Alyssa Smith
  • Innovator of the Year: Joe Chatham
  • Teen Advocate of the Year: Andrew Snyder
  • Officer of the Year: Karen Norris
  • Peer Support of the Year: Avery Lomax
  • Volunteer of the Year: Robin Boyko
  • Office of the Year: Trinity Behavioral Health

NAMI Pasco County is affiliated with the National Alliance of Mental Illness, a not-for-profit organization that provides free support, advocacy, outreach and education to those with mental health conditions and their loved ones.

The Heroes of Hope 2021 awards were presented on Oct. 9.

Published October 20, 2021

Land O’ Lakes teen shines light on mental health needs

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Eliza Smith knows what it’s like to struggle with depression.

The Land O’ Lakes 15-year-old, however, has learned some ways to help conquer her challenges.

She writes in a journal.

She adds up the positive things in her life, daily.

And, she does have successes: She has a 4.6 GPA.

She’s a former Miss Land O’ Lakes Teen USA, and is the current Teen Miss Earth Florida USA.

She will compete for the national Teen Miss Earth USA in January.

Land O’ Lakes High School student Eliza Smith is involved in volunteer efforts to help spread the word about mental health programs, such as those offered by NAMI Pasco. She’s also involved in pageants, which she says provide a platform to help raise awareness. (Courtesy of Eliza Smith)

Now, she’s seeking to help others by sharing her story and advocating for mental health programs such as those offered by NAMI Pasco, a local nonprofit chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

In a new normal, where COVID-19 is upending daily lives and increasing everyone’s stress levels, Smith sees mental health education as a calling.

“I think that this is what I was meant to do,” Smith said — about her goal of making a difference for others.

She said others in her family, including her mother, also have dealt with mental health issues in the past.

“It’s something I struggle with personally, so that’s why I care about mental health for others,” Smith said. “I do know what it’s like, and I know friends who struggle with depression and anxiety.”

In recent months, she has posted weekly video chats and podcasts on Instagram and other media platforms, specializing in one-on-one interviews with family and friends.

She also has completed volunteer service hours, along with other teens, in support of NAMI.

“She is passionate,” said Debbie Proulx, NAMI Pasco’s executive director. “She is willing to just put herself out there.”

NAMI is a national nonprofit with chapters nationwide.

Services include family based support groups, advocacy, one-on-one counseling, school partnerships, education, outreach and referrals.

NAMI Pasco has seen an astounding 1,456% increase in new calls from people needing services in the past year, largely due to the pandemic, said Proulx.

“There is a lot of anxiety and depression,” she said. “Last year it was bad, but not as bad as now.”

Proulx worries about the hostility arising from divisions over masks and vaccines.

“This is affecting everyone,” she said.

In-person support groups aren’t possible for now.

So, NAMI Pasco is relying on virtual support groups to discuss whatever issues people are facing, Proulx said.

“They are really supporting one another,” she said. “You will see disagreements, but at the end of the day, they are really supporting each other.”

The Land O’ Lakes teen said she has seen the impact of COVID-19 at school, as well, particularly while taking classes virtually.

“Everyone kind of stopped doing what they were doing,” Smith said. “I know kids who loved going to school who kind of slumped.”

She said she hopes her podcasts help educate people about mental health but also send the  message that no one is alone.

Help is close by, she said, through organizations such as NAMI Pasco.

Smith said she prefers doing one-on-one interviews because that allows each guest to shine a light on his or her personal journeys.

She enjoys talking with people of all ages and backgrounds.

Her conversations are free-wheeling, funny and open to any topic though, sooner or later, they always get around to mental health education.

Being able to listen to the unique stories of everyone is what makes for a great society, Smith said.

“Your problems matter. You matter,” she said. “And always remember that.”

Smith grew up in Queens and Brooklyn, New York, but her family moved to Tampa about two years ago.

She attended Alonso High School before moving to Pasco County and enrolling at Land O’ Lakes High School.

She aspires to graduate a year early and to enroll at Duke University.

She plans to pursue a nursing degree, and is aiming to attain a master’s degree in nursing by age 25.

She has four completed podcasts, with more to come.

She is taking a brief break from her hosting duties to focus on SAT exams in October, when she also celebrates turning 16.

After the break, she intends to return to a routine of posting podcasts or video chats weekly or monthly.

One especially memorable podcast featured a frank discussion with her mother and her aunt.

“We had a really deep conversation and tears flowed,” Smith said.

The podcast “shows how to be vulnerable in a good way. Even if I have crazy dreams, my family supports me to have a better life than they had growing up in Queens.”

One of her passions is being involved in pageants, which she said encourages her growth and confidence, and has opened doors to her.

“I didn’t hesitate to take the opportunity and try it out,” she said. “I got to volunteer and to promote my platform, and to inspire others to seek help.”

One door that opened was to NAMI Pasco and volunteer service.

“I truly love their organization and what they do,” she said.

For more information, visit NAMI.pasco.org, or call 727-992-9653.

By Kathy Steele

Published October 20, 2021

Resurfacing work proposed for Suncoast Parkway

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Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise has included a resurfacing project on the Suncoast Parkway, as part of its tentative work program for fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

Siaosi Fine, of the Turnpike Enterprise, briefed the Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) board about the sole Pasco County project included in that proposed plan, at the board’s Oct. 14 meeting.

The resurfacing work would be done on the Suncoast Parkway, from just south of the Hillsborough County and Pasco County line to a little bit north of State Road 52, Fine said.

The design funds are included in the tentative five-year work plan in fiscal year 2024 and the construction funds are included in the fiscal year 2025 plan. The total cost would be $23.1 million for work that includes milling and resurfacing, guard rail installation, and signing and pavement marking improvements, he said

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who sits on the Pasco MPO board, inquired about funding for the two pedestrian/bicycle overpasses that are planned at State Road 54 and State Road 52, respectively, to connect to the Suncoast Trail.

Those projects are being funded by Pasco County, while overpasses in Hernando and Citrus counties are being paid for by the Turnpike, the commissioner said.

“It’s not fair,” Starkey said.

“Board members, citizens of Pasco County are paying for the bike/ped overpasses on (State Roads) 54 and 52, and the Turnpike is paying for the overpasses in Hernando County and Citrus County) who have a lot less traffic than us. I don’t understand how that happened,” she said. She added that she’d like to talk to someone at the Turnpike Enterprise about the possibility of it sharing those costs.

Starkey addressed her MPO board colleagues: “Guys, I really think we should elevate our voices on that,” adding that perhaps that can be done when they go to Tallahassee to address concerns.

“Why are other counties getting it paid for, and we have to pay for our own?” she said. “It bothers me.”

In another part of the meeting, Starkey reiterated her concerns about trail design, urging those who are planning trails to use an approach that allows trails to meander away from roads and to place them behind ponds or landscaping, to improve the experience for users and to make it safer.

In some cases, that might increase costs, she said. But it might not.

“There are ways to make the user experience better. You don’t have to buy more right of way, you just have to plan it as a user would like to use it,” Starkey said.

Pasco County Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick agreed. She said trails should be farther back from roads, not butted up right next to them, to help keep users safe.

MPO Board Chairman Lance Smith, who serves on the Zephyrhills City Council, agreed that more thought needs to be given to trail design.

“I do want to say that I appreciate the commissioners’ input on the trails because I think this trail idea has evolved over the years,” Smith said.

“It used to be —  well — no trails. Then, over the years, as an afterthought, let’s put in a trail. “Now, we’re thinking more on integrating it as part of the actual construction. I think it’s great to have a landscape architect in there and fight as hard as they can to create these nice spaces on the trail.

“It’s great to have a trail, but if there’s not a piece of shade on it, in August, I don’t know how many people will use it,” Smith said.

“And,” Starkey added, “an occasional bench?”

Published October 20, 2021

Land O’ Lakes neighbors turn GIFs into games

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Many people enjoy card games.

Using animated images, called GIFs, on smartphones are a popular way to communicate, too.

So, Land O’ Lakes Connerton neighborhood residents Michael Cornuta and Ramon Jimenez put their heads together and thought — Why not mold the two into a fun, interactive activity?

From left: Michael Cornuta, Ashley Jimenez and Ramon Jimenez, all of Connerton, have made ‘That GIF Game’ a reality. Gamers are taking to the new game, as the trio is coming up with new versions that will appeal to everyone. (Fred Bellet)

They did just that, with “That GIF Game.”

The game is described as a hybrid party group game that combines a physical custom deck of cards with a free smartphone app interface.

Each player anonymously submits responses through the app, and points are awarded to the most fitting, funny, quirky or creative GIF.

The deck of cards includes a total of 265 GIFtions — or situational expressions — which assist in facilitating the game.

The app is available in the Apple App Store and Android Play Store.

The corresponding deck of cards can be purchased on Amazon.com.

Here’s how it works:

Each player must first download the app, then sign up and enter their phone number associated for the game.

A game organizer will select a new game and add all players, of up to 50 people. Players are added through phone contacts or manual entry.

Ashley Jimenez demonstrates how her phone and a stack of ‘That GIF Game’ cards make up the new game.

Once phones are added by the game organizer, each player will select “Join Game” for the fun to begin.

Each individual card in the deck has a list of five GIFtions, or expressions, for a round.

One particular card, for instance, reads the following five scenarios with which a GIF is needed to best match:

  • You look ridiculous right now.
  • Eurotrip!
  • My Valentine’s Day plans:
  • Do you believe in magic?
  • Eww, it’s all sticky!

From there, players have two minutes to select a GIF from within the app, which sources GIPHY, one of the largest public online GIF databases with over a billion selections.

There’s strategy involved in searching for and choosing a GIF —  taking into account the personality and humor of the card reader during each turn, so users can earn points. The first player to score five points wins the game.

“Sometimes you’ve got to know their sense of humor,” said Cornuta, a health care professional.

The game usually works best with a group of five to six people.

Whether you’re sitting across the table or across the world, ‘That GIF Game’ can be played anywhere. Ashley Jimenez demonstrates the game with her husband, Ramon Jimenez.

A typical session — the first to five points — runs about an hour.

“You just laugh and have a good time playing it,” Cornuta said. “It’s really just a fun, easy, quick game. Everybody’s got a phone on them all the time, so all you need is the deck of cards, and you could be anywhere – the beach, a campfire…”

He added, “The best part is when people start laughing at their own GIF that they think is going to be funny.”

The original idea for “That GIF Game” came from Cornuta.

Since Cornuta and friends often use GIFs to express their thoughts in group text messages, he wondered about using them to create some kind of game.

Said Cornuta, “We were like, ‘Everybody’s always got their phone in hand, so what if we come up with an idea, or you have an app with cards and questions? Can we create it? Is it possible? Can we do the app?’”

Jimenez, an Air Force veteran, was the first to jump aboard to assist in the effort.

“I threw it out to a bunch of buddies, and Ramon stepped up and was like, ‘That sounds like a great idea, and was like, ‘Let’s do it,’” Cornuta recalled.

It took about a year to develop the game before its official launch over the summer.

The first edition of ‘That GIF Game’ already is a hit with newcomers. The best part about it is that a free interactive app is included with the game.

The process involved finalizing a business model, then producing the cards and smartphone app with the help of printing and technology companies in Orlando and Miami, respectively.

The cards and app take on a 70s theme with a red-and-yellow color scheme and groovy font.

“I mean, everything we did was right from scratch,” said Cornuta. “The name, the design of the package, the cards, the app. I mean everything was literally from ground zero.”

The duo also enlisted help from over a dozen Connerton neighbors and friends to brainstorm and finalize and narrow the GIFtion sayings to put on each card.

“It was a big, massive collaboration process, getting involved with the neighbors and personal friends,” Jimenez said.

Going forward, Cornuta and Jimenez plan to launch specialty GIFtion card decks, such as sports-themed and celebrity-themed versions.

They also have aspirations of getting the hybrid card game into name-brand retail and convenience stores, as well as gas stations.

“You name it, it could go there; it doesn’t take up much space,” Cornuta said. “It’s a great stocking stuffer.”

The game entrepreneurs received solid reviews when they unveiled the game in Tampa Toy Con at the Florida State Fairgrounds in July. They’ve also seen steady downloads of the app since.

“Anyone who’s played the game has been nothing but positive feedback, and we confirmed it at the convention,” Jimenez said. “So, our sales pitch (at the convention) was, as people walked by, we said, ‘Here, take my phone, we’re about to read you a GIFtion.’ It was very positive.”

Published October 20, 2021

Hillsborough residents can still weigh in on redistricting

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Hillsborough County residents still have time to share their thoughts on the redistricting process, according to a county news release.

Redistricting is the constitutionally mandated redrawing of local, state and federal political boundaries, which occurs every 10 years, after the U.S. Census is conducted.

Redistricting is done to account for changes in population during the previous decade.

The final map for Hillsborough County Commission districts is decided by the county board, but it invites public input.

There are currently three proposed maps that apportion the four single-member commission districts.

Residents are encouraged to go to HCFLGov.net/Redistricting and study the three maps, and provide feedback at the upcoming public hearings.

Residents can participate in person or virtually at the two public hearings listed below.

  • Nov. 8 at 6 p.m., at County Center, second-floor boardroom, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., in Tampa
  • Nov. 16 at 6 p.m., at County Center, second-floor boardroom, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa

The public can sign up to speak virtually or in person at the redistricting public hearing, or can submit written public comment.

Speaker signup forms open 48 business hours before the start of each hearing.

Visit the county’s website to learn more.

Published October 20, 2021

Parking lot upgrades planned at rec center

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Florida Parking Inc., doing business as Yellow Dawg Striping of West Central Florida, has been awarded a bid to repair and resurface the existing parking lot at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center Complex, off Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

The bid was awarded in an amount to exceed $249,516, according to agenda backup materials in the Pasco County Commission’s Oct. 12 meeting.

The county sent automatic email notices to 142 vendors, including 19 from Pasco County.

Additionally, 20 manually searched for and downloaded the solicitation, including two from Pasco.

The parks, recreation and natural resources department requested the bid be awarded to Yellow Dawg, and the purchasing department concurred.

There was no discussion by commissioners, who approved the bid award as part of the county board’s consent agenda.

The project will be paid for with parks, recreation and natural resources budget for fiscal year 2022.

Published October 20, 2021

Status of Women appointment confirmed

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The Pasco County Commission has confirmed Julie Rockwell as the United Way of Pasco County’s appointment to the Commission on the Status of Women for a three-year term, effective Oct. 12.

The Commission on the Status of Women serves as an advisory body to the county board, the county administrator and the community, on all matters pertaining to women, according to backup materials in the board’s agenda.

The Commission on the Status of Women is made up of representatives from 10 agencies, as well as an appointee from each county board member.

Summer Blevins had been representing the United Way of Pasco, but stepped away from the post in January. Rockwell was nominated by United Way to replace Blevins.

Published October 20, 2021

Moffitt and Pasco Schools have big plans

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Pasco County Schools and Moffitt Cancer Center envision great possibilities of working together when the school district builds its planned 6-12 magnet STEAM school on land near Moffitt’s planned campus in Land O’ Lakes.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, recently updated the school board about a meeting between school district and Moffitt staff members.

“We had our first real, live, meeting with the administrative staff of Moffitt Cancer Center. And, it went really very, very well,” Gadd told the school board on Oct. 5.

“On the Angeline property, as the crow flies, is kind of back behind Land O’ Lakes High School, Moffitt is putting in a hospital and a big research center, and we have a school right across the street,” Gadd said.

“That school, we’ll start construction on that, I think, about mid-October. We’ll probably be the first building up out there. And, we are currently working with Moffitt and Pasco-Hernando State College to develop a very unique school setting.”

The campus will serve students in grades six through 12.

“More than likely, the upper classmen will have an opportunity to interact in the Moffitt hospital, with Moffitt researchers; (and) participate in apprentice programs and internships.

“It would be something that is very unique to the Pasco school system,” Gadd said, noting that Dr. Kim Moore, assistant superintendent who oversees the district’s career and technical programs, was at the meeting, as well as Dr. Monica Ilse, assistant superintendent for high schools, and Steve Hegarty, public information officer.

“We had a very, very positive reception from the Moffitt folks,” Gadd said.

In remarks to her school board colleagues, Cynthia Armstrong said it’s exciting “that we’re going to have a magnet school right next to their campus, which is going to be huge. So, we’re very excited about that.”

That meeting was a follow-up to a previous session between Gadd and Dr. Patrick Hwu, president and CEO of Moffitt.

Gadd previously briefed school board members about his meeting with Hwu.

During that briefing, Gadd told board members that he’d “heard through the grapevine that he (Hwu) was a big supporter of education, public education.”

But Gadd added: “My meeting with him was beyond expectations. I went there with a few ideas and he had hundreds of ideas about how our new STEM magnet in the Angeline area could be a partner with Moffitt.”

Gadd noted: “We’d have to work through all kinds of legal issues, as he and I discussed, but having students actually sit in, participate in procedures, surgeries, internships. Having graduate students and doctors actually come to the school building and teach courses and work with us, district-wide on virtual programs for kids, who are in nursing programs, health programs, biomedical engineering and those kinds of things.

“He was exuberant, and we made arrangements to connect my staff with his staff. I am really looking forward to the potential we have to work with Moffitt,” Gadd said.

Funding for the construction of the district’s planned 6-12 school in Land O’ Lakes was approved on Oct. 5, when the school board adjourned, then reconvened as the Pasco County School Board Leasing Corporation to approve $85 million in financing that will pay for the lease‐purchase financing of that school, and projects Hudson and Gulf high schools.

The new Angeline mixed-use community — which is being billed as a wellness-themed community — will be developed on thousands of acres of land, east of the Suncoast Parkway and south of State Road 52.

Moffitt plans to create a massive research and corporate innovation district.

Site entitlements for Moffitt’s project, which encompass 24 million square feet, include plans for a hospital, research and development space, office, manufacturing, laboratories, pharmacies, educational facility/university, hotel, and commercial space. The multiyear, multiphase project is expected to create 14,500 jobs.

The school district’s new school in Angeline will be designed for 1,694 student stations, which at 90% capacity translates to about 1,530 students, according to a previous report in The Laker/Lutz News.

The school board hired Ajax Building Company at its Sept. 15, 2020 meeting to do pre-construction work at the 6-12 STEAM school site.

The school is planned on an 18.8-acre site within Angeline, south of State Road 52, north of the future Ridge Road extension and west of Sunlake Boulevard, according to Ajax’s website.

“Campus plans include a one-story administration area, a one-story dining and multipurpose area with a full kitchen, two-story media, band and art areas, and a four-story classroom wing, with all areas connected by a one-story and two-story atrium/central corridor, the website post says.

The site development also includes “walkway canopies, aluminum shade system, fencing, walking trail, sidewalks, chiller/generator plan, site lighting, underground utilities, landscaping and irrigation,” according to information posted by Ajax.

Harvard Jolly is the architect on the school district project.

Published October 13, 2021