The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Old Pasco Road extension under review

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A study is underway to investigate extending Old Pasco Road/Ossie Murphy Road, by adding two new roadways north of State Road 52 to east of the Interstate 75 bridge underpass.

This is an aerial view of the route study and pond siting analysis area, for the future extension of Old Pasco Road/Ossie Murphy Road. The future four-lane roadway, with bicycle and pedestrian amenities, will also include an alignment for a 12-foot bicycle/pedestrian trail that will become part of the future Orange Belt
Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Officials from Pasco County Engineering Services ultimately foresee an approximate 1.25 mile, four-lane divided urban (curb and gutter) section, whereby Old Pasco Road would stretch approximately 4,000 feet northward from the State Road 52/Old Pasco Road intersection, and Ossie Murphy Road would extend approximately 2,600 feet eastward under the recently built I-75 bridge overpass.

Ossie Murphy Road then would eventually continue eastward from the I-75 eastern right-of-way to Pasco Road, as part of the Pasco Commerce Center development.

The roadways are based on a 45-mph design speed, initially built with two travel lanes and then expanded when traffic volumes warrant in the future.

The planned infrastructure are the initial segments of a more extensive transportation network that is envisioned to run parallel to I-75 and State Road 52.

Two build alternatives have been developed for the Old Pasco Road/Ossie Murphy Road extension project, estimated to cost between $12.8 million and $13.8 million, respectively.

A no-build alternative also is an option.

The future four-lane roadway alignment will also include bicycle and pedestrian amenities.

A 12-foot bicycle/pedestrian trail would adjoin the future Orange Belt Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail, a 37-mile path stretching along an abandoned railroad line from Trinity to Trilby.

No funding has been allocated for the extension project, and a specific timeline has not been determined for construction.

The proposed plan was outlined at a public hearing on July 11 at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church Parish Center in San Antonio. At the hearing, residents could view maps and ask questions, and submit written comments for review up until July 21.

The final route study and pond siting analysis, however, is targeted for September, to be presented to the Pasco County Commission. It will incorporate right-of-way costs, public comments and various environmental impacts, including wetland and floodplain impacts.

The study is driven by expected future development, mainly east of I-75.

“We know there’s a potential for growth here, and we want to make sure we’ve at least approved an alignment, rather than wait until somebody wants to come in and needs to do something, and we don’t have that set,” said Margaret Smith, Pasco County’s engineering services director.

The proposed plan was outlined at a public hearing on July 11 at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church Parish Center in San Antonio.

At the hearing, residents could view maps and ask questions, and submit written comments.

“Right now very few people live up in that area, but you’ve got Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club right here, so they, of course, are concerned with what we’re doing north of (State Road) 52,” Smith explained. “It’s like you’re shaking the tree of the people that live out here, and you want to get their input, because no matter what these (estimates) look like, they may have something that throws you in a different direction.”

Published July 26, 2017

Park upgrades planned for 2018

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A proposed 2018 budget, if approved, includes initial funding for a community center at Wesley Chapel District Park. The park also would get upgrades at its basketball courts and baseball fields.

In addition, the budget would provide money for a future district park at the master-planned community of Connerton in Land O’ Lakes.

Young girls learn how to dribble a soccer ball during a 2015 practice at Wesley Chapel District Park. Pasco County’s proposed 2018 budget includes funds to upgrade the park. (File)

A first public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Sept. 13 in Dade City. The second hearing and vote are planned on Sept. 26. The approved budget would take effect on Oct. 1.

At the Wesley Chapel park, about $2 million would pay for the design and cover for four outdoor basketball courts, and the installation of 12 bleacher canopies for baseball fields. Also, the design for an approximately 4,000-square-foot community center would be completed in 2018.

Construction is scheduled in fiscal year 2019, at a cost of about $1 million.

The Connerton District Park would receive about $2.5 million, as part of a park donation agreement between Pasco and Connerton’s developer. Construction would include athletic fields and other amenities. The park would be donated to the county, but the developer would operate and maintain it, according to county records.

No construction date is available.

Published July 26, 2017

Computer club navigates programming basics

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Roshan Kumaraswamy started programming computers in middle school — now he’s teaching the craft to others.

Last month, the 16-year-old Land O’ Lakes High School senior created Coding Club, for tweens and teens aspiring to learn more about computer sciences.

Roshan Kumaraswamy, a 16-year-old senior at Land O’ Lakes High School, first learned computer programming in middle school. He recently created a computer programming club at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, called Coding Club. It’s designed for teens and tweens who are interested in learning more about computer sciences. (Kevin Weiss)

The club began meeting on Fridays in July, at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library.

It accommodates up to 10 people, who program on library-issued Dell laptops.

The club, which now has a wait list, doesn’t require any prior programming experience.

“It’s pretty much adapted to anybody,” Kumaraswamy said. “I have a couple students that are pretty advanced, and then some that don’t even know how to make a file.”

During weekly, two-hour sessions, Kumaraswamy teaches the basics of website programming, from HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), to Swift — each of which serves various functions.

For instance, HTML is the very core structure of a website, while CSS is used to stylistically improve websites. Swift is a general-purpose programming language often used for Apple products.

Club members already have learned to build simple websites and develop two-dimensional arcade video games, like Pong — a popular table tennis sports game.

In subsequent classes, Kumaraswamy plans to introduce the Java programming language, and teach corresponding application concepts. Java serves multiple purposes, from programming Android apps and games, to performing complex mathematical operations.

“There’s not really any limitation as to what you can do with coding,” he said. “I think it’s really cool that you can just take a lot of text words and create something with it, and sort of just experiment around.”

Kumaraswamy began coding in the seventh grade.

Self-taught, he learned through trial-and-error, watching YouTube videos and other online tutorials.

He acknowledged it was a challenge initially, and “took a while” to become comfortable with his coding skills.

His best piece of advice is “learning through practice.”

As a sophomore, Roshan Kumaraswamy developed a mobile learning application, called ‘AP World History Prep Me!’ The learning tool, available on the App Store, helps students study for final exams by visually pairing pictures with practice questions. It was selected as the winner of the 2015 Congressional App Challenge for Florida’s 12th Congressional District.

As he became more experienced, Kumaraswamy built apps for Apple’s App Store, which provides millions of downloadable games and accessories for iPhones, iPads and Macs.

His sophomore year he developed a mobile learning application, called “AP World History Prep Me!”

The learning tool, available in the App Store, helps students study for final exams by visually pairing up pictures with practice questions.

It was selected as the winner of the 2015 Congressional App Challenge for Florida’s 12th Congressional District. That year, the Congressional App Challenge drew more than 1,700 student competitors across the nation; winners were selected from 116 congressional districts.

Though a hobby for now, coding may one day become a profession for Kumaraswamy, who’s in the Land O’ Lakes High School IB (International Baccalaureate) program.

“It’s definitely a possibility of what I want to be doing in the future,” he said. “It’s a big part of technology nowadays, and it’s like a for-sure career path that you can be (successful) in.”

Among his peers, Kumaraswamy said he’s noticed more interest in computer sciences, perhaps due to the proliferation of smart phones and tablets.

“You see a lot of these programs coming up, like Girls in STEM or Girls Who Code, and so there’s obviously a big source of wanting to learn how to code. People value it, I think,” he said.

Besides coding, Kumaraswamy stays busy as a member of his school’s Mu Alpha Theta chapter, National Honor Society and Science Olympiad Club.

His next technological endeavor: tackling the basics of machine learning — the study and construction of algorithms.

“I hope to come up with some sort of project that can take a large amount of data, and use it to help kids with education online,” he said.

The Coding Club will meet again Aug. 4 and Aug. 11, beginning at 2 p.m.

For information on joining the club, call the library at (813) 929-1214.

Published July 26, 2017

Two Lutz companies win Florida business awards

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Two Lutz-based companies, Dixie Belle Paint Co., and Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, are among an elite group of 50 finalists named as “Florida Companies to Watch,” according to a news release from GrowFl.

“These stand-out companies are all led by entrepreneurs, and have demonstrated their capacity and intent to grow,” Tom O’ Neal said, in the release. “They also all have critical intellectual property or a niche position that gives them a competitive edge in their markets.”

Suzanne Fulford, founder of Dixie Belle Paint Co. (Courtesy of Dixie Belle Paint Co.)

O’Neal is executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute and associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization.

Dixie Belle sells chalk mineral paint and other related products. Founder Suzanne Fulford opened her company in 2013. She is a 2015 graduate of the CO.STARTER program managed by the Pasco Economic Development Council.

The program aids startups or small business owners seeking to expand their enterprises.

Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice is a mobile unit-based service that provides hospice and in-home euthanasia for pets. Co-founders and veterinarians, Dani McVety and Mary Gardner, started their company in 2009.

McVety received the “Pet Industry Woman of the Year” award in 2016 from the Women in the Pet Industry Network.

Dr. Dani McVety, co-founder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice (File)

GrowFl selected the 50 honorees from more than 500 nominees.

Florida Companies to Watch is a statewide program managed by the economic development group, GrowFl, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation.

The finalists are described as “second stage companies” with momentum for significant growth. GrowFl is the only program that focuses solely on these kinds of companies rather than startups or incubator businesses, the release says.

To qualify as second stage, the businesses must employ six to 150 people and have $750,000 to $100 million in annual revenue.

Together the award-winning companies generated a total of more than $1 billion in revenue, and added more than 1,300 jobs between 2011 and 2015. Also, collectively for 2017, they anticipate a 53 percent increase in revenue and a 36 percent increase in job growth, compared to 2016.

An awards ceremony will be held Oct. 14 at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa.

Published July 26, 2017

Golf course gives way to new development

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Residents came away disappointed when Pasco County commissioners approved a plan to replace Quail Hollow Golf Course with houses, offices, retail and a day care center.

Nearby homeowners had argued for months that the project would devalue their property and harm the neighborhood’s residential character.

They also expressed concerns about flooding and increased traffic on inadequate roads.

Boom Boom Drive is the entryway into Quail Hollow Golf Course, and the surrounding subdivision. Residents are opposed to a redevelopment plan to build houses, shops and a day care center on the golf course. (Kathy Steele)

Despite those concerns, commissioners voted 5-1 for the redevelopment project on July 11.

The matter first came before commissioners in March, but a final vote was postponed several times.

Commission Chairman Mike Moore cast the dissenting vote.

“We know we can’t keep the golf course open. I get it,” Moore said. “I was hoping we could stay more consistent with what the neighborhood is. That’s what (residents) were expecting for a long time to come. It sounds like they are losing that today.”

Andre Carollo, of Pasco Office Park LLC, plans to close the unprofitable golf course.

In its place, there would be up to 400 single-family houses, 30,000 square feet of office/retail and 10,000 square feet of day care.

The approval includes a long list of conditions — stemming from objections raised by residents.

There was little common ground between residents and the golf course’s owner.

When the matter came before the county’s Development Review Committee in March, it received a favorable vote.

Throughout the process, Pasco County planners also have stuck by their recommendation for approval.

“I understand. It comes down to a land rights thing,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells Jr. “We can’t tell him what he can and can’t do with his golf course.”

But, residents also claimed they have property rights. They hired Maureen Jones, a Sarasota-based attorney, to represent the Quail Hollow Neighborhood Citizens Group Inc.

Homeowners who bought their properties years ago cited a marketing campaign that convinced them that they were buying into a golf course community.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite, who represents Carollo, countered that the golf course was built prior to the subdivision. She also said the existing zoning of the golf course would allow residential development, likely at a greater density than the proposed project.

Jones said no decision had been made on whether to pursue legal action to challenge the project.

Published July 19, 2017

Higher school impact fees expected in 2018

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The Pasco County School Board didn’t get the school impact rate increases initially recommended by a consultant hired by the school district, and the building community didn’t get the rate it was pushing — but Pasco County Commissioners have agreed to support higher impact fees for school construction.

During a July 11 public hearing, commissioners committed to a proposed ordinance that calls for gradually increasing the rates — over a three-year period, with the first increase set to kick in on Jan. 1, 2018.

Commissioners have scheduled a final vote on the issue for Aug. 15.

Bexley Elementary, slated to open this fall, will relieve overcrowding in Oakstead and Odessa elementary schools. Pasco County’s growth is fueling the need for more schools. (B.C. Manion)

By the time the rates reach their final amount in 2020, they will represent 92 percent of what the school district’s consultant had recommended, according to David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney for Pasco County.

Achieving the compromise required a flurry of last-minute activity between representatives for the school district and the county, Goldstein said.

Goldstein and Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools worked out details over the weekend prior to the commission’s meeting.

“Ray called me at 7 o’clock on a Saturday morning and said, ‘If I’ve got to work 24 hours a day trying to resolve this, you’ve got to wake up and help me resolve it, too,” Goldstein said.

Gadd added: “We’ve been working on this quite a bit from Friday night ‘til Monday afternoon,” including a Sunday morning call that involved the district’s finance chief, its impact fee consultant and others.

“We didn’t get everything we wanted, nor did the builders,” Gadd said.

There were other stakeholders who didn’t get everything they wanted, either.

Representatives of the multifamily industry failed to persuade commissioners to reduce the proposed fee increases for multifamily dwellings.

Parents were unable to convince commissioners to adopt the full fees that the school district’s consultant had recommended and to make them effective this year.

“Why should the burden fall on our children?” Doug Wood, of Wesley Chapel asked. “The teachers and the children should not have to suffer.”

And, even though the Tampa Bay Builders Association agreed to the compromise, it wants the school board to continue looking for a broad-based revenue source to help tackle the issue.

“These are significant increases,” said Mark Spada, president of the Tampa Bay Builders Association told commissioners.

“Pasco’s school impact fees will be among the highest in Florida and in the nation, and the total of all Pasco impact fees will be among the highest in the nation.”

Spada also noted: “Increasing fees increases the price of a home. The higher the price, the less people can afford to buy homes.

Stewart Gibbons chaired the School Funding Infrastructure Committee, created by commissioners.

He described the compromise as a fair and reasonable solution.

However, he noted, “this is a difficult discussion because it’s an important discussion; I think we all know that.

“It is very complex,” he said, noting “there are just a lot of components to this.”

“I do encourage, as we did during the committee discussions, seeking as many broad-based sources of funding as possible,” Gibbons said.

Commissioner Ron Oakley said, before the compromise was reached, he had determined that a reasonable amount would be about 75 percent to 80 percent of what the school board was asking for, and to begin the increase immediately.

“In the long run, I agree with this compromise,” Oakley said.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey also supported the proposed increase. “I think there is nothing more important than a strong, healthy vibrant school district. That’s what makes a strong, healthy and vibrant community.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano said the compromise will improve the situation, but isn’t the entire solution.

Mariano would like to see commissioners unite with the school board and other stakeholders to seek more construction money from the state for schools.

Commissioner Mike Wells also supports the compromise.

“It’s been a great opportunity to work with the school board more closely,” Wells said.

Commission Chairman Mike Moore said the board is focusing on providing infrastructure that’s needed in the county.

As more students come into the county, more schools are needed, he said.

He asked commissioners if they were all in agreement to support the proposed rate schedule.

And, commissioners indicated they are.

“We’re at the point where enough is enough, and we’re ready to move forward as a board,” Moore concluded.

After the meeting, Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said he is pleased by the commission’s commitment.

Current Rate:
Single-family detached: $4,828
Single-family attached: $1,740
Multifamily: $1,855
Mobile home: $2,843

Proposed new rates
Effective Jan. 1, 2018
Single-family detached: $7,128
Single-family attached: $2,869
Multifamily: $4,182
Mobile home: $4,377

Effective Jan. 1, 2019
Single-family detached: $7,728
Single-family attached: $3,111
Multifamily: $4,533
Mobile home: $4,746

Effective Jan. 1, 2020
Single-family detached: $8,328
Single-family attached: $3,353
Multifamily: $4,884
Mobile home: $5,114

Consultant’s recommended rate
Single-family detached: $9,028
Single-family attached: $3,634
Multifamily: $5,295
Mobile home: $5,544

Published July 19, 2017

Water and sewer rates expected to rise in Zephyrhills

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Zephyrhills residents could see an increase on their utility bills, beginning next year.

City staff is recommending a 4-percent increase in water rates and an 8-percent increase in sewer rates for all customers each year for a five-year period, beginning Jan. 1.

The Zephyrhills City Council voted unanimously for City Attorney Matthew Maggard to draft an ordinance regarding the proposed rate increases, during its July 10 meeting.

The first reading of the ordinance is slated for its next council meeting, on July 24.

The new two-story Zephyrhills City Hall will include new council chambers, office and storage space, restrooms, a lobby, stairways, an elevator and a courtyard. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

As an example, a customer in Zephyrhills using 3,000 gallons of water per month currently sees a bill of $40.03. With the January rate hike, the bill would rise to $43.14, an increase of $3.12. It does not include sanitation rates, which already is an additional $11.25 per month.

Users of 5,000 gallons per month would see their bills increase from $53.29 to 57.52, an increase of $4.23; while users of 7,500 gallons of water a month would see their bills increase from $73.12 to $78.75, an increase of $5.63.

A recent study conducted by Raftelis Finance Consultants, found that 79 percent of residential customers use 5,000 gallons or less a month.

The impeding rate hikes, according to City Manager Steve Spina, are primarily to “help keep up with costs in the Utility Department for operation maintenance.”

Additional revenues from utility also will be used toward debt service, renewal and replacement costs (new pipes, equipment), capital funding (extending services to new development, plant expansions to handle growth) and maintaining reserves.

“I don’t like (rate) increases anymore than the next person,” councilman Lance Smith said, “but, I do like my water to come on when I turn the faucet on.”

The draft ordinance, too, will call for an increase to utility impact fees on new construction.

For a single-family residence, water impact fees are slated to rise from $641 to $1,010. Sewer impact fee rates also are expected to jump from $2,010 to $2,260, for a single-family home.

The city originally sought to enact the rate increases, if approved, by October.

Spina, however, suggested city leaders delay the implementation schedule due to an ongoing water utility project.

Last fall, the city began rolling out a program through a contractor, Arizona-based Fathom, to replace all of the city’s meters and begin a digital monitoring bill-paying system  — costing the city $6 million over two years.

The Fathom rollout led to numerous complaints from residents, who saw their bills go up after installation of new bar meters provided more precise water-usage readings, finding leaks the old system did not detect.

During the council meeting, Spina reasoned that delaying the rate increases will allow the city to fully complete the Fathom transition, and allow customers to adapt to both the new system and new rates.

“We had rough patches with Fathom, which we’re pretty much finalizing and getting through,” Spina said. … “Frankly, we — me and the administration— did not do a very good job of advertising, publicizing and explaining the different events that were going to occur during that rollout, and should we ever have something like this again, we definitely know what to do and what not to do.”

Council president Alan Knight later advised Spina to put together a public outreach campaign for the five-year utility rate increases.

The city’s last five-year rate hike, approved in 2012, called for a 10-percent hike for the first three years and 5 percent the final two years.

In other action, the city council received a visual preview of the new, $6.2 million Zephyrhills City Hall building.

Public works director Shane LeBlanc displayed an artist’s final design rendering of the two-story brick building, which will measure 19,615 square feet.

In January, the council voted to construct the new edifice, replacing the current 13,497-square-foot City Hall, at 5334 Eighth St., which dates back to the 1950s.

Demolition is scheduled in the next few weeks, with construction beginning Aug. 23 and lasting for approximately one year.

Council members expressed enthusiasm for the conceptual drawing showing the west entrance of the property, which features a courtyard plaza that will connect City Hall with the adjacent Zephyrhills Library.

The rendering also shows a fountain as its centerpiece in an area that will include public-use seating.

Besides the courtyard plaza, the new City Hall will include upgraded council chambers, additional office and storage space, restrooms, a lobby, stairways and elevator.

The rendering was furnished by architectural firm Harvard Jolly.

Published July 19, 2017

Pasco approves $4.6 million for Ridge Road project

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The Ridge Road extension is still on the drawing board, waiting for a permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

But, at their July meeting in Dade City, Pasco County commissioners took a step forward in the nearly 19-year process of qualifying for the coveted permit.

They updated a contract with NV5 Inc., and approved about $4.6 million toward the final design and construction plan of about 8 miles of roadway that will cut through the Serenova Preserve.

If approved, the Ridge Road extension would link west Pasco County at Moon Lake Road with central Pasco at U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. Currently, Ridge Road dead-ends at Moon Lake. (File)

The first phase of the project, if approved, would extend Ridge Road from Moon Lake to the Suncoast Parkway. In a second phase, the road would extend from Suncoast to U.S. 41 across from Connerton Boulevard, in Land O’ Lakes.

Environmentalists oppose the project, which they say will harm wetlands, water quality and wildlife habitats. But, county officials place a high priority on the road extension as an east/west evacuation route during emergencies.

“It’s a long time coming,” said Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano. “I’m glad to see we have some good momentum on building this road.”

County officials estimate that a decision on the federal permit could be known by June 2018. A month earlier, they also believe the Southwest Florida Water Management District could issue its permit.

If permits are approved, construction is scheduled to begin in July 2018.

County officials were encouraged in April, when the Corps selected one of 17 proposed routes as “the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative.”

In recent months, lobbying efforts to win approval of the federal permit have included support from U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Gov. Rick Scott, and the administration of President Donald Trump.

The Suncoast Sierra Club and grassroots activists with the Save the Serenova Preserve from the Road to Nowhere are organizing and gathering petition signatures to oppose the project.

The Corps of Engineers is waiting on additional information on construction and environmental impacts before making a decision.

Published July 19, 2017

In the Loop is ready for live music, more hours

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Patrons of In the Loop Brewing will be able to quaff their favorite craft beers while enjoying live music on an outdoor deck on the shores of Lake Padgett.

Pasco County commissioners approved a request from the brewery’s owners to allow live music that previously had been banned. The hours of operation also were expanded to allow more flexibility for hosting special events, yoga classes and private parties.

The item appeared on the consent agenda at the county commissioners July 11 meeting in Dade City. No one spoke in opposition, and commissioners unanimously gave their approval.

In the Loop opened in 2016, at 3338 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in a restored two-story home. There is an on-site brewery, tap and tasting room. A beer garden, with a deck, overlooks Lake Padgett.

Co-owner Joe Traina has described the live music as acoustic guitar playing, similar to Jimmy Buffet’s style. Typically, live music would be on weekends, and would complement the relaxed atmosphere of In the Loop, said Traina, speaking at a hearing before the Pasco County Planning Commission in June.

The expanded hours, as approved by the county, would allow In the Loop to operate from 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Live music would be allowed from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Monday through Friday; and, from noon to 9 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday.

Owners have said they plan to schedule operating hours that are less than what is allowed.

The first live music event will be “Rhythm & Brews” on July 28 at 7 p.m., according to the brewery’s Facebook page.

For information, visit Facebook.com/InTheLoopBrewing.

Published July 19, 207

Pasco offers loan to boost office development

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Encouraging construction of upscale office and industrial space is a high priority for Pasco County officials who want to diversify the county’s economic growth.

A 10-year, $7 million loan to HP Asturia is aimed at adding up to 200,000 square feet of what is known as Class A office buildings to the mixed-use, master-planned community of Asturia.

The development is off State Road 54 in Odessa, about 1.5 miles west of Suncoast Parkway.

Pasco County commissioners approved the loan at their July 11 meeting in Dade City. Tampa-based Harrod Properties Inc., will be development partner on the project.

If certain goals are met in signing tenants and delivering jobs, the loan could be forgiven in its entirety — which, in essence, would make it a grant instead of a loan.

Private capital investment in the project is estimated at about $26 million.

The loan will aid in design and construction of a northern spine road connecting to Tower Road from State Road 54. Funding is available through the Penny for Pasco program.

“We’re going to have some true Class A office space up here in Pasco County, which we’ve been patiently waiting for for the last couple of years,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore.

Up to 400 new jobs are anticipated. Total salaries from the project are estimated at about $11 million, and the county could add about $32 million to its gross domestic product annually.

The 200,000 square feet of office and industrial space would be built in phases, and on speculation, without pre-signed tenants.

The loan will be forgiven in phases, including $4 million when the roadwork is complete and a minimum of 80,000 square feet of industrial/office space is built. That will be followed with $1 million on proof of 5-year leases for the first 80,000 square feet. The final $2 million would be forgiven at build-out, with additional leases, for the total 200,000 square feet.

Harrod Properties has a track record in other counties, including the Brooker Creek Corp. Center in Oldsmar, Feld Entertainment headquarters in Ellenton, and Cypress Bay Corporate Centers I and II in the Westshore district in Tampa.

“For probably seven years, we’ve been trying to find opportunities up here,” said Graham Mavar, partner in leasing and development with Harrod Properties. “Somebody always has to go first. That’s always a challenge.”

The loan from Pasco is critical, he added.

“Without having assistance with the road and being able to help lower costs, no way we could deliver the product we need to do in order for tenants to be able to afford it,” said Mavar. “The rent jump would be too much.”

Mavar said construction of about 100,000 square feet of the project likely would begin by the end of the year.

Published July 19, 2017