Local News

Trail extension receives rave reviews

January 13, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

A new 4.35-mile section of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail is receiving widespread approval from walkers, joggers and cyclists, alike.

“The general feedback has been very positive,” said Forest Turbiville, Hillsborough County’s director of conservation and environmental lands management. “I mean, people love it.”

New Port Richey seasonal resident Bob Zook, 70, leads a pack of riders north on the trail, passing southbound riders, south of the new rest facility at 7020 Lutz Lake Fern Road. Zook also leads a group of senior bicyclists every Tuesday from the Ja-Mar Mobile Home Community. (Fred Bellet/Photos) — New Port Richey seasonal resident Bob Zook, 70, leads a pack of riders north on the trail, passing southbound riders, south of the new rest facility at 7020 Lutz Lake Fern Road. Zook also leads a group of senior bicyclists every Tuesday from the Ja-Mar Mobile Home Community.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

The $6.2 million project, which was unveiled on Dec. 1, featured the completion of the northernmost segment of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail, making it the first-paved, multi-use trail constructed in a Hillsborough County preserve.

From the Lutz Lake Fern Road trailhead, the path extends 1.5 miles east and then north to connect with the Suncoast Trail. Additionally, it extends nearly 3 miles to the southwest along the crossing at Lutz Lake Fern Road, as well as nearly 3 miles to the southwest along the edge of Brooker Creek Preserve.

“I think one of the things (that stands out) is that it goes through the edge of a nature preserve, and I think that really makes it unique,” Turbiville said. “To have 4.5 miles of new trail, the majority of it going through a nature preserve, gives the user that different experience maybe from some other parts of the county that are more developed.”

Since it’s opening, the new section has been a hot spot for exercisers looking to distance themselves from the noise and commotion of city life.

Paula Mitchell and Ruddy Arzon, of Homeland, walk the trail 1.5 miles at least once a week since the new segment opened. The pair noted how well maintained the trail is.

“Oh, I love it. It’s great,” said 41-year-old walker Jeff Hebrank of Odessa. “You’re walking out in the woods, away from the traffic. It’s nice and quiet. It’s beautiful with natural surroundings.”

Polk County resident Paula Mitchell, 64, said the trail’s new section is “a wonderful place to walk.”

“The trail has more nature than the part heading up along the Suncoast Parkway, which is not as picturesque because you’re along the highway,” said Mitchell, who spends her weekends in Lutz. “The (new trail) has a lot shade and foot trails where you can get off the paved area and go hiking through the woods.”

Seventy-year-old Bob Zook, a seasonal resident from Columbus, Ohio, was especially impressed with the trail’s mix of “beauty” and “scenery.”

“It’s a combination of what I’d call ‘Old Florida’ and some of the newer, more modern parts of Florida,” said Zook, who leads a senior citizens biking group in New Port Richey. “It goes all the way out to the Suncoast Trail, so you have the combination of going along a busy highway versus being out in the middle of basically nowhere. Quite often, that’s what bikers like—a variety of scenery.”

Zook remarked that it is one of “prettier trails” he’s ridden on over the years.

“It’s obvious (Hillsborough County) spent an awful lot of money on it,” he added.

Bicyclists can stop the traffic by using a crosswalk signal, where the trail crosses busy roadways.

Lutz resident Mike Lopez, 51, who typically rides his bike about 10 miles per week on the Upper Tampa Bay Trail, commended Hillsborough County officials for doing a “great job” with the new section.

“At first I thought: ‘What are they doing? Why are they putting this trail in?’ “But, after I rode it, the first thing I thought was, ‘Oh, it’s so nice. Finally, my taxpayer dollars are being used for something I like,’ ” Lopez said.

Lopez enjoys the convenience of a signalized crossing at Lutz Lake Fern Road, where he can ride his bike directly from his home to the trailhead, without having to worry about using a car and having to pay a $2 parking fee.

“It’s very relaxing to get away from a hard day’s work,” he said. “Just one subdivision over and the next thing you know, you’re in the woods.”

The signalized crossing is not only convenient for nearby residents, but it makes getting to the trail via bicycle much safer, especially when accompanied with children.

Nature is the main feature along the Upper Tampa Bay Trail’s new section.

“I hated crossing over (State Road) 54 because of my kids, so I wouldn’t always take them,” said 47-year-old Corinne Wolthuis, of Lutz. “But, now it’s nice because we can really ride in that trail, and if they want to stop and walk, they can. It’s nice, because we can ride from our neighborhood on the sidewalk, and then when we get to the trail, we just have that one little path that we have to cross over where they put a stoplight.”

Wolthuis was impressed by the added amenities at the new Lutz Lake Fern Road trailhead, which features a rest area, water stations and several picnic tables and benches to utilize after a long walk or bike ride.

Before the new trailhead facilities opened, Wolthuis said she would have to leave the trail entirely, so her 6-year-old boy and 8-year-old girl could use a restroom at a nearby fast-food restaurant or department store.

The only issue Wolthuis has come across is the trail can be difficult to navigate when there are large crowds of people walking in groups with their pets.

One time, she almost got into a wreck, because a dog was in her pathway as she was biking along the trail.

Those utilizing the new 4.35-mile segment of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail can stop at the trailhead at 7020 Lutz Lake Fern Road. It features 50 parking spaces, restrooms, a picnic area and large maps of the trail.

“I was coming around a corner pretty quick, and the dog was on the leash but kind of extended out, and if the owner didn’t pull him back quick enough, it would have been a disaster,” Wolthuis said. “I’m not saying we should exclude the dogs, but that would be the only thing, especially when it’s very, very congested like that, and you’ve got bikes, people rollerblading and then you mix dogs in there on a long leash; you can forget it.

“I don’t know really how to fix that. You just have to kind of be aware of your surroundings,” she said.

When less congested, the 12-foot asphalt path has proven to be wide enough for more avid cyclists like 53-year-old Jim Griffin, of Odessa, to safely make wide turns at high rates of speed.

“They’ve cleared the vegetation off so you can see ahead of you as you’re making these large sweeping turns,” said Griffin, who uses a 22-speed racing bike to ride 100 miles per week. “It’s very important because…I’m riding a racing bike with skinny tires and 120 pounds of pressure in them. …We’re running 20 miles per hour average.

“They’ve got it set to where you come on a turn, you can see clearly ahead,” said Griffin, a member of the West Coast Florida Cycling Club in Tampa.

The new section’s grand opening was scheduled in August, but delayed until December because of flooding.

“If I have a complaint with it, it’s during rainy season,” Griffin said. “It was in the water; spots where water was covering it, so they postponed the grand opening. They did some remediation, and it looks like they got into some ducts and trenches and pits to keep the water from crossing the trail.”

With the trail free of flooding, and open every day from dawn to dusk, Griffin has found it to be a “beautiful” location to train with his 55-member cycling group,

“We use it a lot. A lot,” he stated.

New additions to the Upper Tampa Bay Trail
What: A 4.35-mile multi-use trail that marks the completion of the northernmost portion of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail, making it the first paved trail in a Hillsborough County preserve.
Where: 7020 Lutz Lake Fern Road
When: Open every day from dawn to dusk
How much: $2 daily car parking fee
For more information, visit HillsboroughCounty.org/UTBTrail.

Published January 13, 2016

School buses to run on natural gas

January 13, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County’s school district is planning to use natural gas to fuel a new fleet of buses.

On Jan. 13, the Pasco County Planning Commission will consider a proposal to rezone about 24 acres on Interlaken Road for a storage, maintenance and fueling station that can handle about 120 buses.

Future buses transporting children in Pasco County Schools are expected to use natural gas for fuel. (File Photo) — Future buses transporting children in Pasco County Schools are expected to use natural gas for fuel.
(File Photo)

Pasco County commissioners will make the final decision on the rezoning at a later date, possibly on Jan. 26.

In the first year of the program, Pasco County Schools plans to buy between 30 and 35 new buses equipped to run on fuel known as Compressed Natural Gas, or CNG. Those buses could be rolling by spring 2017, with more to come.

“Transitioning to CNG will be done over many years,” said Pasco County Schools Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd.

The district has about 470 buses in its fleet.

The goal is to shift a portion of the district’s bus fleet from gasoline and diesel-burning fuels to natural gas. The school district anticipates the shift to result in savings over time.

Buses also will burn cleaner fuel with less toxic emissions, and they will run more quietly than traditional buses.

Gadd estimates the annual cost for purchasing these buses will be about $1.5 million. A state rebate program could provide the school district with a return of $25,000 per bus, up to 10 buses.

“It helps counter the costs,” he said.

Ray Gadd is deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools) — Ray Gadd is deputy superintendent of Pasco County
Schools.
(Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

And, buying the buses over several years will stagger their eventual replacement dates, which also can save money. Typically, buses are replaced after 10 years. But, Gadd said a natural gas fueled bus is predicted to have a longer life of 13 to 15 years.

If the rezoning is approved, design work could begin within a month. Opening date for the approximately $7 million facility is anticipated in spring 2017.

A.D. Morgan of Tampa will build the station.

The school board briefly considered a public/private partnership, but Gadd said, “Any time you finance it, somebody is making a profit. We had the capital to build it ourselves. We are going to own it and operate it.”

The property on Interlaken is in a largely industrial area on a former tree farm.

Prior to reaching a decision, Pasco school district officials visited Clearwater Gas System, which is owned and operated by the city of Clearwater. The city was the first in Tampa Bay to build a natural gas fueling station in 2011.

Clearwater Gas will be the school district’s supplier. The utility currently serves parts of Pinellas and Pasco, including Land O’ Lakes and the community of Connerton.

At a neighborhood meeting in November, about a dozen residents met with school districts officials, according to county documents filed with the rezoning application.

They requested an eight-foot buffer wall, which Gadd said can be built.

Aside from the buses’ new sheen, parents and students won’t notice a difference from the old yellow school buses.

“It looks just like the buses we have now that people are used to seeing up and down their streets,” Gadd said.

Published January 13, 2016

Preparing to pig out in Zephyrhills

January 13, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The 6th annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ and Blues Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever.

The festival, presented by the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, at 39450 South Ave., in Zephyrhills.

Admission is free, but parking is $10.

One way to reduce the mess of eating ribs is to enjoy them on a stick. These are some of the ribs that were ready to be sold at the Pig In or Pig Out BBQ booth during last year’s festival. (File Photos) — One way to reduce the mess of eating ribs is to enjoy them on a stick. These are some of the ribs that were ready to be sold at the Pig In or Pig Out BBQ booth during last year’s festival.
(File Photos)

The event features both professional and amateur barbecue competitions, and is sanctioned by the Florida BBQ Association.

There will be approximately 50 barbecue teams, 70 judges and a total of 60 vendors, concessionaires and exhibitors at the festival.

“I just think this event is probably the best thing we have in the area,” said Kevin Bahr, amateur barbecue competitor and owner of Bahr’s Propane Gas & A/C. “It’s huge in Z-Hills (Zephyrhills). It’s one of, if not the leading fundraiser here. It helps out so many things in the community and as a business owner, it’s really nice to be involved with it.”

The barbecue competition has a total cash purse of $8,000 and will have winners in four standard categories: chicken, pork, brisket, and ribs.

The festival is also a qualifier for three prestigious barbecue championship contests: the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational in Lynchburg, Tennessee; the American Royal World Series of BBQ in Kansas City, Missouri; and the Sonny’s Smokin’ Showdown Invitational in Sanford.

Bahr said being involved as an amateur competitor is “like nothing else.”

“It’s one of the most fun events that you can do, if you’re cooking,” he remarked.

Probably the toughest part of a barbecue cooking contest is waiting for the judges to render their verdict of whose barbecue is best. Dan Haynie of Zephyrhills sat on the edge of his smoker and waited for the judges' decision for the Tri-S BarBQ entries in the backyard division during last year’s Pigz in Z’ Hills BBQ and Blues Festival. — Probably the toughest part of a barbecue cooking contest is waiting for the judges to render their verdict of whose barbecue is best. Dan Haynie of Zephyrhills sat on the edge of his smoker and waited for the judges’ decision for the Tri-S BarBQ entries in the backyard division during last year’s Pigz in Z’ Hills BBQ and Blues Festival.

According to Bahr, what makes the festival even more exciting is the entire process of barbecuing with friends and getting food prepped in advance of the competition.

“Cooking in competition is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life,” he said. “You sit there, and you’ve got to get a specific kind of meat from a specific place. …Then you’re up all night long with smoke blowing in your face worrying about the temperatures and the basting, especially for the chicken.

“It’s very humbling, and it’s incredibly rewarding,” Bahr said.

The event has grown dramatically since it was introduced six years ago and attracted between 2,000 and 3,000 people. Now, it has reached the point where 10,000 people are expected to attend, and more amateur barbecue teams are signing up each year.

“When we started this, we had no idea what it was going to do,” said Bahr, whose business is one of the sponsors of the event. “The first year, I thought, ‘All right, maybe we’ll have a few teams.’ And all of a sudden, it’s just overwhelming how many people came and what happened with getting it sanctioned.”

Tim Linville, president of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, said changing the event from its original date in October to its current date in January and relocating it in 2013 from Krusen Field in Zephyrhills to its current site at the airport also has helped the festival expand.

The hope is to make the airport a permanent venue for ‘Pigz in Z’ Hills’ and several other events, he said.

Jason Mistretta of San Antonio, Florida, prepared chicken for those stopping by his booth. Mistretta was ready to serve 400 dinners last year

“If we get a permanent venue at the airport, then we’ll have a place for nonprofit organizations to have different events,” Linville said. They would have a stage and power and water, and we’ll have more room for expansion.”

The event’s attraction also is buoyed by the varied musical choices brought in each year.

This year’s slate of performers includes Coldiron, Wendy Rich & The Soulshakers, the R.J. Howson Band, and Damon Fowler. Live music will be presented from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

“We’re always trying to upgrade our bands, because that’s a key part, and also we have different barbecue people every year,” Linville said. “The two things that bring in people from outside the area is one, it’s a sanctioned barbecue, and the other thing is we have lot of blues bands that have a following themselves.”

In addition to a smorgasbord of food options and musical performers, there will be a family fun zone with games, a car show, aviation displays, helicopter rides and amusement park attractions.

In addition to providing more exposure for Zephyrhills, the festival also aims to benefit several local youth and education programs.

The event’s success has paved the way for many donations to scholarships, youth leadership programs and children’s charities.

“I think we’re very fortunate to have a community that volunteers so many thousands of hours to put this event on,” said Rod Mayhew, chamber director.

“Without the community and these hours they put in, we would never be successful,” Mayhew said.

Sixth annual Pigz in Z’ Hills BBQ & Blues
When: Jan. 16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, 39450 South Ave., Zephyrhills
How much: Admission is free; parking is $10
What: Barbecue teams compete for prizes, blues bands perform, and event-goers can purchase barbecued foods and check out monster trucks, aircraft displays, and other attractions and activities.

January 13, 2016

New charter school to open in Lutz

January 13, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

If all goes smoothly, Sunlake Academy of Math and Science will open for the 2016-2017 school year.

The eight-acre site for the school is on North Dale Mabry Highway, about a half-mile north of Exciting Idlewild Boulevard.

Construction for the 40,000-square-foot, two-story charter will break ground sometime within the next month, and is expected to be completed over the summer.

The charter, which will be tax-funded and tuition-free, is expected to pull students from within a 5-mile radius of the school’s location.

Sunlake Academy will look similar to Valrico Lake Advantage Academy. (Courtesy of Charter School Properties) — Sunlake Academy will look similar to Valrico Lake Advantage Academy.
(Courtesy of Charter School Properties)

Developed by Charter School Properties (CSP), Sunlake Academy will be large enough to eventually accommodate up to 1,150 students, from kindergarten through eighth grade. It will have a focus on STEM curriculum, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math. It also will offer an interdisciplinary approach to learning, in which lessons will emphasize the interrelationships between various subjects.

The school’s features will include a library and media center, science laboratories, computer labs, art rooms and an area for outdoor activities.

In creating the school, Charter School Properties, which also developed Valrico Lake Advantage Academy, is working closely with Charter School Associates, the school’s Education Management Organization.

“We’re pleased to be bringing the local community new educational opportunities with this state-of-the-art building and a proven, high-tech STEM curriculum,” Joseph Rauenhorst, president of Charter School Properties, said in a release. “Partnering with Charter School Associates and other leading charter school operators, we focus on creating stimulating, nurturing environments that maximize each child’s achievement and develop the skills needed to succeed today.”

The company and its site engineer, Chris McNeal, are currently working through the site permitting process with several Hillsborough County agencies and the Florida Department of Transportation.

“We hope to have it wrapped up soon to start with building,” said McNeal, founder of McNeal Engineering, Inc. “Since it’s properly zoned already for the use, there’s no public hearings or anything like that. It’s straight to construction.”

According to Cindy Hughes, Charter School Properties’ director of operations, the local school district approved the charter in November. Since then, getting the charter up and running has been an ongoing process.

“There’s two moving parts,” Hughes said. There’s the construction of the building by the developer who also has to get all approvals running, then the school is required to get all their FEA (Florida Education Association) things handled, hire teachers and do their end of it. Then it all comes together.”

Sunlake Academy was originally proposed to be located on an 8.4-acre piece of land at the southwest corner of Lutz Lake Fern Road and Sunlake Boulevard. However, the piece of property has not yet been sold to the developer.

Hughes said the property is “still an option” for building a charter school in the future.

“We’re still in negotiations, so nothing’s for sure yet,” Hughes said.

Hughes added that if a charter were built there, it would most likely have a different managing operator than CSA, which will run Sunlake Academy.

Last year, several Lutz residents voiced their concerns about building a school at the Sunlake and Lutz Lake Fern Road location. They cited traffic congestion, interference of wetlands and natural habitats, and possible flooding as potential issues that could arise if a school was established there.

“It’s an inappropriate project in scope and size for that proposed location,” said Mike White, founder and president of the Lutz Citizens Coalition. “That’s the type of thing that brings local neighborhoods to their knees. The new location is off of Dale Mabry Highway, so it’s not as impactful to the local area as it would have been.”

White said the citizen’s group is closely monitoring the project at North Dale Mabry Highway, but currently has “no issue” with it and has not been asked to intervene by members of the Lutz community.

“The main thing that we’re looking at right now is access to that project,” White said. “Right now, it’s designed for Dale Mabry primarily, and that’s fine. That’s really what Dale Mabry was built to do. However, if they change it to where they’re coming out on Van Dyke Road or rural two-lane roads, which would dramatically impact our local neighborhood, then we would step in and get involved.

“It’s a large school, but if they were to keep access limited to Dale Mabry, then you know, Dale Mabry can handle it.”

Published January 13, 2016

School renovations under way

January 13, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Saint Anthony Catholic School, in San Antonio, celebrated a milestone in its history last February, when it dedicated a new classroom building.

Now, it’s in the midst of a $1.7 million renovation of the three-story brick building that formerly housed the school.

The current project, which began in June, involves a complete overhaul.

The top floor will be a cafeteria and a recreation space, said Sister Alice Ottapurackal, the school’s principal.

The second floor has a media room, a computer lab, an art room and a Spanish classroom.

The ground floor has a music room, two extra classrooms and storage space.

Work is under way on a $1.7 million renovation project at Saint Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio. The project follows the construction of a new three-story classroom building that was completed last year. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Work is under way on a $1.7 million renovation project at Saint Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio. The project follows the construction of a new three-story classroom building that was completed last year.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Children will be able to have recess and physical education inside, on the top floor, when it is too cold or rainy to go outdoors, Ottapurackal said.

“They are excited about that, and me, too. They need that time to relax and get that physical activity,” she said.

The new construction completed last year has allowed the school to enhance its programs and this renovation will, too, Ottapurackal said.

The school uses technology in each classroom.

The computer lab is intended to allow an entire class to work on projects at the same time, and also will give children an opportunity to bolster their computer skills, Ottapurackal said.

While appreciating the value of technology, the principal said the school focuses on giving students good foundational skills in reading, writing, spelling and mathematics.

The principal believes that children can quickly learn how to use computers. She wants to be sure that the school’s students know how to read, write and communicate and are able to tell if the information they find on the Internet is credible.

The classroom building completed last year allowed the school to enhance its science program, Ottapurackal said.

The renovation under way will provide more space for the music and art programs, she said. Instructional minutes for those programs won’t be increased, but the teacher will have more time to teach because the larger spaces reduce the need for taking out and storing materials before and after each class.

Like many schools, Saint Anthony Catholic School is placing an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. The principal said it also adds another area of emphasis: religion.

The school has 217 students, in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Ottapurackal hopes it will have between 230 and 235 students next year. It has the capacity to serve 270 students.

While the Diocese of St. Petersburg supported the construction of the new classroom building, the renovation project is being paid for by community donations.

So far, $1.4 million has been raised for the project.

“We wanted to give everyone an opportunity to participate in this project. So, we had fundraising from $50 to $500,000.”

“The community here — people are so generous. It’s their school. It’s been here since 1884,” she said.

Anyone who would like more information about the school, or who would like to help in the fundraising campaign, can email .

Published January 13, 2016

Pasco school growth expected to continue

January 13, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County is expected to add a total of 1,673 students in public and charter schools next year, based on projections compiled by Pasco County Schools.

That’s an increase over last year’s growth, which was 1,517, and brings the figure to nearly 3,200 in two years.

The bulk of the growth is coming in the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor, said Chris Williams, director of planning for Pasco County Schools.

The growth is coming, he said, from “all those new developments springing up along the 54 corridor — Wiregrass. Bexley Ranch. Starkey Ranch.”

“Everything between Trinity and Wesley Chapel, along the 54 corridor,” Williams said.

There’s development in the Sunlake area, and Connerton is building again, too, Williams said.

The school district planner broke down the enrollment growth by grade levels.

“This year, we grew by a little bit under 500 elementary kids. Next year, we’re projecting 555 in the elementary, which is about 73 percent of an elementary school,” Williams said.

“We’re projecting 346 (additional students) for middle, and 709 (more) for high school,” he said.

The district picks up a sizable number of private school and charter school kids at the high school level, Williams noted.

“We have to be cognizant of that when we’re doing our projections. We can’t just take our eighth-grade population and assume that’s what our ninth-grade population is going to be,” he said. The district has to add to that.

This will be the third year in a row that the district has experienced enrollment growth, Williams said.

Growth projected for next year is substantially less than in 2004-2005, when enrollment grew by almost 3,200, he said

But, the expected growth is significantly more than in 2008-2009, when enrollment grew by 280; 2009-2010, when it grew by 327; 2010-2011, when it declined by 252 and, 2011-2012, when it dropped by130.

The district’s projection for this year was for 69,475, but it expects to come in higher — at 69,633, Williams said.

Its projection for next year is 71,306.

The district tries to be cautious in its projections, Williams said.

“We don’t want to overbuild,” he said. On the other hand, “We also don’t want to fall way behind, either.

“We’re trying to be smart about where we’re putting schools,” he said.

“We built W because it was centrally located and allowed us to relieve Double Branch, Seven Oaks, that area,” he said.

With all of the construction activity, there’s no doubt additional schools will be needed, Williams said. The question is how many?

“Everybody is restarting, and they’re all going at once. The question is how sustainable is that? Are they competing for the same customers, or is there enough demand to buy all that they’re going to build? And, I don’t know the answer to that,” Williams said.

Published January 13, 2016

Festival seeks to become signature event

January 13, 2016 By B.C. Manion

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is launching a new event aimed at giving people an annual music festival they can enjoy, while area businesses showcase their goods and services.

The festival is a new take on the chamber’s annual business expo that has been held for two decades at the Land O’ Lakes Parks and Recreation Complex.

The event, slated for March 11 and March 12, will be at the Fraternal Order of Police Pasco Lodge 29 property, at 21735 Camp YMCA Road, on Bell Lake, east of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard (U.S. 41) in Land O’ Lakes.

Organizers have lined up Taylor Hicks, winner of season five of American Idol, to be the headliner on March 11, the first night of the Spring Music Festival & Expo.

Hicks’ appearance is deliberately timed to coincide with The Farewell Season of American Idol.

Hicks will perform after Solar Exposure, the opening act. The evening also will feature food trucks and beer/wine sales. No coolers or pets will be allowed.

The second day will spotlight businesses and family fun.

“This is super exciting. I can’t believe the energy and enthusiasm that’s already been generated,” said Elayne Bassinger, president of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

“The tickets have been selling (for the concert),” she said, noting that some Taylor Hicks fans will be traveling from out of state to attend the concert.

The second day of the event will combine music, a business showcase and fun activities for kids, said David Gainer, co-chair of the event.

“It’s really going to be more of a festive, community type day,” Gainer said. “We’ll have a kids’ zone. We’re going to have a whole bunch of games and bounce houses and those kinds of things,” Gainer said.

The musical lineup for March 12 includes local bands, including Ashley Smith & Josh Higgins, Bad Rabbit, Stonegrey and Bobby Summers.

The second day also gives businesses a chance to shine and the community a better chance to see what they have to offer, Bassinger said.

It also gives area residents “the opportunity to shop local,” she said.

Bassinger credits Gainer and event co-chair Suzanne Beauchaine, account manager of The Laker/Lutz News, for coming up with the new approach to the chamber’s annual business expo.

Bassinger is excited about the event’s new location.

“It’s a beautiful piece of property back there,” she said.

The new venue also offers organizers more options, Gainer said.

“If we were going to do a festival-type atmosphere and be able to provide certain beverages and foods, we had to have it on a non-county owned property,” Gainer said.

Tim Hennigan, president of the F.O.P. Pasco Lodge 29, said his organization is pleased to be involved in the effort.

“We’re very much a part of this community,” Hennigan said.

The event also gives his organization a chance to raise its profile.

“We want people to know who we are. We’ve always been in the shadows,” Hennigan said.

In addition to benefiting the chamber, the event will help to raise money to pay for a permanent memorial for Pasco County’s fallen law enforcement officers, he said.

Tickets for the March 11 concert are now on sale. The cost is $25 for open lawn seating, and $40 for preferred seating.

Tickets can be purchased online at CentralPascoChamber.com.

Published January 13, 2016

Seeking state road money

January 6, 2016 By Kathy Steele

State lawmakers are seeking $8 million in state funds to push along a project, known as the diverging diamond interchange, to fix the daily traffic jams at Interstate 75 and State Road 56.

The trouble spot already is among Pasco County’s 2015 priorities for highway projects. The list is for a five-year plan that is updated annually and also includes the intersection at State Road 54 and U.S. 4, and other projects along State Road 52 and U.S. 301.

But, with some state money in hand, a project start date for I-75 and State Road 56 might come sooner rather than later. Currently, the Florida Department of Transportation anticipates funding in 2017 for study and design of the interchange.

Traffic stacks up daily, at morning and evening rush hours, as motorists navigate Interstate 75 and State Road 56. (File Photo) — Traffic stacks up daily, at morning and evening rush hours, as motorists navigate Interstate 75 and State Road 56.
(File Photo)

“I think there is reason to hope,” said State Sen. Richard Corcoran. The Land O’ Lakes lawmaker is the designated Speaker of the House when the 2016 legislature convenes Jan. 12.

Sarasota is the first city in Florida to build a diverging diamond interchange. The $74.5 million interchange at I-75 and University Parkway will be operational in 2017.

Another similar project is possible on Interstate 95 in Jacksonville.

In the diverging diamond interchange, multiple lanes of traffic from opposite directions crisscross from one side of the roadway to the other and then switch back, guided by road signs, marked lanes and traffic signals.

It might sound counter-intuitive, but in practice is easy to follow, eases traffic congestion, prevents wrong-way entry onto ramps and reduces crashes, according to engineering experts.

This type of interchange also allows for pedestrian crossings and bicycle lanes.

The expectation is that no additional right of way will be needed at I-75 and State Road 56, which will aid in costs and construction schedules.

Corcoran is meeting with representatives of the state department of transportation to discuss the matter. Federal funds also will be needed.

State Rep. Danny Burgess shares Corcoran’s optimism for the project. A funding request for $8 million has been filed, he said.

“We’re actively working hard to alleviate the current problem,” Burgess said.

Corcoran is familiar with the long lines that form during peak rush hours, because he drives that route almost daily.

The area surrounding the interchange is exploding with new growth, with more and more vehicles passing through I-75 and State Road 56.

Tampa Premium Outlets opened in October. Permits, site plans and wish lists for more commercial and residential growth in the area are multiplying, including the Cypress Creek Town Center. When that is finished, development will span both sides of State Road 56.

“It (the interchange) needs fixing very fast,” Corcoran said. “To the extent that we can play by the same rules as everyone else, it’s certainly going to be a top priority.”

That means making a convincing case that the project is worthy, Corcoran said.

Other states embraced the diverging diamond long before Florida.

Missouri was the first in 2009, and kept on building them, again and again. At nine, the state is home to the most diverging diamonds in the country, according to a list compiled by the Official Website of the DDI.

Utah is close behind, with eight, and North Carolina has seven.

As of Dec. 1, the website documented 64 diverging diamonds in operation around the country.

For information on Sarasota’s diverging diamond interchange, visit SWFLroads.com/i75/university. A YouTube video showing how the concept works also is available online.

Published January 6, 2016

Aspiring artists benefit from arts fest

January 6, 2016 By B.C. Manion

The 11th annual Suncoast Arts Fest will feature 125 fine artists and craftsmen in a two-day event aimed at raising money to support arts education in Pasco County.

“Our fine artists — they’re growing,” said Pam Marron, co-director of the arts festival. “We’ve got a good blend coming in from all over the United States.

BK Lyons, who created this piece of chalk art, will be one of the chalk artists featured at the 11th annual Suncoast Arts Fest later this month (Photos courtresy of Suncoast Arts Fest) — BK Lyons, who created this piece of chalk art, will be one of the chalk artists featured at the 11th annual Suncoast Arts Fest later this month
(Photos courtresy of Suncoast Arts Fest)

Besides being a place to enjoy or purchase art, the event also offers a wide array of live entertainment and opportunities to be creative, too, Marron said.

“The entertainment — in addition to having professionals there —we also have youth entertainment from the region,” Marron said.

There will be chalk artists at the festival, there’s an art maker space, where arts and technology meet, and, on Jan. 17 there also will be glass etching, Marron said.

“We’ve got the emerging artists area, where the high school art students are able to display their artwork, and that artwork is juried and a prize given for that, as well,” she said.

There is also a kids’ art garden, designed to appeal to younger artists, she said.

Proceeds from the festival benefit “Arts for Education” grants, which go to supplement arts education programs in public, private and charter schools in Pasco County.

Over the past decade, the Suncoast Arts Fest has fulfilled more than 85 mini-grants to teachers to impact the education of more than 15,000 students.

During last year’s event, The Shops at Wiregrass drew a record crowd of more than 100,000 people, according to the festival’s website.

Jasleen Rehsi was a first place winner at the 10th annual Suncoast Arts Festival last year. This year’s festival will feature 125 fine artists and craftsmen.

The patrons come from all over, but primarily from the Tampa Bay region, Marron said.

The mall is an excellent venue, Marron said.

In addition to the mall’s convenient layout, there are restaurants, restrooms and parking to accommodate both the artists participating in the show, and the patrons attending it, she said.

The Shops at Wiregrass also collaborates with festival organizers to help promote the event, she said. “They’re a good management company.”

Festival organizers are increasing their promotional efforts, too, Marron said.

“We’ve expanded on our social networking and really tried to ramp up why we do the event, which brings in the students and their families to support the event as well,” Marron said.

11th annual Suncoast Arts Fest
What: Juried show features 125 fine artists and craftsmen and their works. The event also includes live entertainment, chalk artists, interactive activities and glass etching.
When: Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Jan.17 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive (off State Road 56, east of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard).
How much: Parking and admission are free.
For more information, visit SuncoastArtsFest.com.

Published January 6, 2016

Loan for State Road 56 no sure thing

January 6, 2016 By Kathy Steele

A state loan to build two additional lanes of an extended State Road 56 is in jeopardy, as state and county officials haggle over details of how to repay the estimated $22 million construction costs.

The road project currently calls for a two-lane extension of State Road 56 from Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wiregrass Ranch to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills.

A state loan would allow a four-lane road to be built — which is what residents and city officials in Zephyrhills have sought for years.

Pasco County commissioners will review eight agenda items on Jan. 12 related to the loan application that was made in May to the State Infrastructure Bank. They are facing a deadline on that date to complete an agreement acceptable to the county, the Florida Department of Transportation, area developers, and Cone & Graham, which is contracted to build the first two lanes of the project.

Everything could fall in to place by then, or not.

“Unfortunately, the ball’s in DOT’s corner. They set the deadline,” said Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein. “The deal is going to fall apart, or they are going to have to give us a new deadline.”

Most of the issues with developers and the road contractor are resolved, but state department of transportation requirements on the loan’s repayment are a major sticking point.

Goldstein said the state initially anticipated the county receiving a loan through tax-exempt bonds. But, that places restrictions on how the loan can be repaid, and likely means the county couldn’t pass the burden to private developers through county-collected mobility surcharge fees.

The city of Zephyrhills also agreed to pay up to 10 percent of annual loan repayments, if the county had to dip into its coffers for expenses.

The county had turned to the state bank as a last resort to fund two more lanes on State Road 56.

Unless the state transportation department can shift the county’s request into a loan pool for non-tax exempt bonds, the agreements with developers can’t work, Goldstein said.

The county also has a second concern about potential liability for cost overruns.

Cone & Graham representatives agreed to absorb expenses, if there are cost overruns with building the additional lanes. But, Goldstein said the state transportation department has a caveat. The agency won’t extend that protection in the event the company is fired, and a new contractor hired.

That would leave the county on the hook for unexpected payments.

“We’re hoping FDOT can resolve these two issues, so we can move forward,” Goldstein said.

The idea for the state loan arose after a February town hall meeting in Zephyrhills, where residents and city officials lobbied the department and state lawmakers for help. Many view a four-lane State Road 56 as an economic driver for more commercial and retail development.

Among the largest land tracts along the route is the Two Rivers Ranch, with about 3,500 acres. About half of the 6.7-mile extension would cut through the ranch. Thousands of new homes, shops and industries are anticipated there and within other new developments still on the drawing board including Wyndfields.

One development – Wesley Chapel Lakes in the Meadow Pointe subdivision – is under construction. Based on a prior agreement, the county has received between $300,000 and $400,000 in payments, but might not be able to recoup additional funds, despite the increased costs of road construction.

Published January 6, 2016