The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Zephyrhills/East Pasco News

Dade City awards general engineering services

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The City of Dade City has chosen a host of firms to serve as general planning and engineering consultants, for the next five years.

Elected officials selected firms that include Lakeland-based Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions Inc.; Lutz-based Johnson Engineering Inc.; Tampa-based Halff Associates Inc.; and Tampa-based CPH Inc.

(File)

Tampa-based Tierra Inc., also was selected to provide geotechnical services to the city.

The Dade City Commission made the selections on a 5-0 vote on Dec. 14, giving city staff the authorization to prepare a general consulting agreement for each firm to be considered at the next available city commission meeting.

Dade City Public Works Director Bryan Holmes detailed the city’s selection process.

A request for qualifications (RFQ) was solicited in September, for interested firms to submit their qualifications for providing planning and engineering services and geotechnical services to the city on a continuing consulting agreement.

Fourteen firms responded to the city’s solicitation.

The submitted RFQs included:

  • Firm qualifications: That includes the number of years the firm has been in business; references and past performances; willingness to meet time and budget requirements; recent, current and projected workloads; volume of work previously awarded to each firm by agency
  • Experience and qualification of assigned staff: That includes the staff’s experiences, qualifications and technical abilities
  • Approach and delivery of services: That includes an understanding of the scope of work, ability to comply with the full scope of work, technical soundness of the proposal

A panel of city staffers reviewed the RFQs. The panel was made up staff that is knowledgeable about the planning and engineering projects the city will be doing in the next few years.

To further narrow down the list of would-be consultants, staff focused on evaluating the specialty services and focus areas offered by the firms that submitted.

Some of these specialties and focus areas tracked upcoming planning and engineering projects anticipated and programmed in the city’s five-year capital improvement plan. These specialties include the development and implementation of traffic calming programs, neighborhood planning, round-about design and engineering, stormwater management engineering and design, local government planning services, and GIS and mapping training services.

Wood generated the best score in the engineering evaluation criteria matrix with a 93 average, followed by Johnson Engineering (92.3), Halff Associates (91), and CPH (87.3). Tierra generated a score of 98 in the geotech evaluation.

Published December 22, 2021

Higher density approved near Zephyrhills

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a land use change that will allow greater density on about 30 acres near Zephyrhills.

The change increases the allowable density from three units per acre to six units per acre and lays the groundwork for a future rezoning.

The rezoning, which is being pursued, will accommodate the expansion of the Forest Lakes Estates community, a 1,000-home manufactured housing community for people age 55 and older.

Clarke Hobby, an attorney representing Equity Lifestyles, said his client owns the existing 1,000-unit manufactured housing community, which is on the east side of Gateway Drive, and wants to add about 90 additional units on the 30-acre property, on the west side of Gateway Drive, south of County Road 54.

During the Dec. 7 county board meeting, Hobby said the land use change makes sense.

“There’s Res-6 across County Road 54 from us, and there’s a large swath of I-L (light industrial) that’s immediately to our west. So we don’t feel that the change from Res-3 to Res-6 is a big issue, from a land use planning perspective.”

Hobby also told board members: “Gateway Drive runs from County Road 54 down through the eastern part of the project.

“Our plan is to swap right of way and build the neighbors a new road on our western side, so we’ll be able to ultimately join our projects, and we’ve agreed, in a private agreement to — in addition to that, at our own costs, to give our neighbors enough money to resurface the entirety of Marx Avenue and Frontier Drive to the south, which approximately is a mile or so, in addition.

“So, my client has made a big commitment to help with the betterment of this area,” he said.

Area resident Cindi Buckel objected to the change.

She urged commissioners to reject the request, citing concerns about area traffic and increasing traffic fatalities, as the county continues to allow new subdivisions along two-lane roads.

She also noted the difficulty motorists face, as they attempt to get around in an area that’s growing increasingly congested.

“The roads have not been looked at, as the subdivisions just keep growing, and growing and growing,” Buckel said.

She noted it already takes a long time — even without the new houses — to get out onto County Road 54, from Gateway.

“You have construction trucks, nonstop, heading in both directions towards Polk, towards Zephyrhills,” she said, while also noting a double fatality accident that recently occurred — involving a construction truck and a RAV-4 on Chancey Road.

Commissioner Ron Oakley applauded the developer’s plan to build the additional road.

“The real bonus was when they decided to build a new road for the residents behind it. It keeps from splitting that park up and it joins it together. And it makes it a lot better for the residents that are on larger tracts, right in behind them,” Oakley said.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey asked if the new development would have landscaping requirements.

Hobby said it will.

Hobby also noted that County Road 54 has been rated at a Level of Service B.

The land use change was approved on a 5-0 vote.

In a separate action, related to the same property, the county board has set a public hearing for Jan. 11 at 1:30 p.m., to consider the advisability of closing a portion of Gateway Drive, from County Road 54 to Marx Avenue.

Hobby’s client has proposed constructing a new alignment to connect County Road 54 to Frontier Drive, which then connects to Marx Avenue, and, upon completion of the Frontier Drive Extension, to exchange the newly constructed Frontier Drive Extension with the Gateway Drive parcels.

Published December 15, 2021

Redevelopment projects are making progress

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Efforts are continuing on several projects being spearheaded by the Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

Gail Hamilton, the director of the CRA, served up several updates on projects during a monthly November meeting at Zephyrhills City Hall.

For instance, CRA staffers are continuing to work with firms Furr, Wegman & Banks P.A., and BGE Inc., on the design of the “Little But Loud” downtown entertainment backyard hub, Hamilton said.

Staffers also are soliciting help from Main Street Zephyrhills Inc.’s design committee to review various proposals and criteria, she said.

The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency has multiple projects in the pipeline. (File)

The venue — to be developed on a 150-foot by 60-foot city-owned vacant lot at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Eighth Street — is expected to feature food trucks, vendor carts, games, live music, public art installations and various seating areas.

A more specific concept plan, with pictures, is expected to be presented at the Dec. 27 meeting.

That will give the board an opportunity to “see what we’ve been working on,” Hamilton said.

The venue site was once home to a Disabled American Veterans chapter building, and is situated just a block north of Fifth Avenue and adjacent to City Hall.

Hamilton also updated the board on work being done for the Hercules Park redevelopment project.

She said survey crews are expected to wrap up their duties for the park redevelopment project by Dec. 20, paving way for the design process to begin in early 2022.

The 12-acre park property is located at the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard. It’s expected to feature a multi-purpose trail, playfield, nature playground and picnic area, among other elements.

Also, the CRA director mentioned security cameras will be installed in Clock Plaza along Fifth Avenue, before the end of this year.

Clock Plaza — situated two blocks east of U.S. 301 in the city’s historic downtown district — is patterned after an old-fashioned town square that features a gazebo-style bandstand, a decorative clock, landscaping, and downtown parking.

This half-acre park features picnic tables nestled underneath shady oak trees.

The bandstand is used throughout the year for live entertainment during Main Street events, parades, and other social activities.

That location is expected to be just the first of several where cameras will be installed.

“We’ve been working with the police department to identify locations they’d like to have cameras,” Hamilton said. “The feed will go directly to the police department so they can see it in real-time.”

Hamilton also carved out time to praise Main Street Zephyrhills Director Faith Wilson and a new Main Street Board of Directors for helping facilitate downtown events, including Halloween Howl and the Festival of Lights Christmas Parade.

Wilson — hired in June — replaced Paxton McCullough, who held the role from June 2020 to May 2021. Before that, the Main Street leadership role was held by Anna Stutzriem, who resigned in March 2020 after more than two years on the post.

“They have worked incredibly hard,” Hamilton said of the Main Street staff and volunteers. “Last year, because of COVID, we had no events. We have a board that’s never done any events; they’re all new and have never done anything…but the Main Street board members and their committee members have really worked hard, gotten together, have figured out what needs to be done…”

The Oct. 30 Halloween Howl reported strong attendance. It also had 60 vendors, four sponsors and several new attractions, including sold-out historical ghost tours.

The Dec. 4 Festival of Lights reported eight sponsors, as well as four food vendors and eight concession vendors.

The event featured four co-grand marshals, which were standout teachers from the Zephyrhills area — Dustin Rowe (Zephyrhills High School), Michelle Elie (West Zephyrhills Elementary), Brian McKinnnies (Raymond B. Stewart Middle School) and Jaime Barrentine (Chester Taylor Elementary). A fifth educator also was recognized — Michelle Deloret (Woodland Elementary School) — but couldn’t attend the event.

Entertainment and music was provided by local community organizations, including Helen’s Baton and Dance Studio, the Zephyrhills Community Choir, and the First United Methodist Church Choir.

In other action, the CRA Board unanimously approved a $1,000 matching sign grant for Bulldog Performance Speed Shop, owned by Jeremiah Swindell, at 5047 Gall Blvd.

The business sells an assortment of after-market automotive parts and accessories, and features a full-service machine shop.

Offerings include diesel performance, lift kits, nitrous, rotating assemblies, crate engines and race fuel.

The total cost of Bulldog Performance’s new signage was $2,238.90.

The sign improvements fall under the CRA’s matching façade rehabilitation program, which aims to encourage rehabilitation and preservation of commercial buildings by offering a financial incentive of matching funds and limited technical assistance.

The general idea is to encourage an aesthetically pleasing business district, while eliminating blighting influences.

Published December 15, 2021

Hercules Park redevelopment plan raises questions

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As the redevelopment plan for Hercules Park in Zephyrhills presses forward, at least one resident stakeholder is raising “strong concerns” with its preliminary conceptual plan.

At issue is a portion of the plan that calls for a BMX (bicycle motocross) track, where mountain bike enthusiasts could traverse jumps and obstacles across a circuitous riding trail.

This is an initial conceptual sketch plan of the Hercules Park redevelopment. (File)

Dade City resident Kimberly Barker raised questions about how youths wanting to access the trail would be able to ride their bikes safely through the city’s congested roadways to get to the attraction.

Her remarks came during the public comment period of a Nov. 29 Zephyrhills City Council regular meeting at Zephyrhills City Hall.

An initial rough conceptual sketch plan shows a circuitous riding trail covering roughly 5.29 acres on the southwest corner of the property. There’s also a proposal to build a more traditional multi-use path that surrounds the perimeter of the mountain bike course to accommodate walkers, joggers and casual bike riders.

Barker — a real estate broker for VITIS Realty — pointed to the busy street traffic that surrounds the 12-acre park property, at the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard, next to Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools.

She observed the bustle is only going to grow, as high density residential development makes its way down Eiland Boulevard, as well as west and north of that area.

“Having an amenity there that draws bicyclists and pedestrian traffic, specifically, young pedestrian traffic, to cross what is one of the largest intersections in the city of Zephyrhills, is of great concern to me,” said Barker, a lifelong East Pasco resident and a graduate of Zephyrhills High School.

“I just wanted to speak tonight to voice that concern, and ask the city to maybe pump the brakes a little bit and let’s reevaluate what we’re doing with that property, and what’s going to add the greatest value to the community,” she said.

She also raised another concern — the transients and homeless people who are regularly on the park’s premises.

The speaker told council members she visited the site a couple weeks ago and documented the issue with photos on her cellphone.

“I’d like to see the city do something with that property that is maybe going to eliminate that problem right next to the elementary school, and I don’t know that the current plan is going to do that,” she said.

Meanwhile, Barker encouraged the city develop a citizens advisory committee to oversee the park development, as well as other projects and initiatives.

Council President Alan Knight thanked the speaker for her concerns and feedback.

Knight emphasized that “nothing has absolutely, totally been finalized” yet on the park’s forthcoming features and amenities, so additional citizen comments are welcome.

“Any input you would like to give, we would certainly appreciate it, but we are really finalizing it down, and just on the first couple of looks, it looks pretty nice, and I will think when it gets through, you will really like it,” he said.

Knight added the homeless population inhabiting the park is nothing new, estimating this has been an ongoing dilemma for some 30 years. “The transients and so forth have been a problem on that property,” he said. “It’s always been that way.”

This isn’t the first time reservations have been raised about a BMX track within the park property.

Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield raised objections to the amount of land being used for the BMX concept, during an Oct. 25 city council meeting.

“It just seems like a lot of the project is going to that, a lot of the land area. We could do multiple things in there, or a couple of things,” Whitfield said, at the time.

Addressing the issue during this latest November meeting, Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe said he’s had conversations with Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Director Gail Hamilton on significantly “shrinking” the BMX course layout.

“We’ve heard council loud and clear, and citizens have been pretty clear about it as well, so we’re taking a hard look at that,” Poe said. “There is a way to condense it down considerably, and so we’re looking at that, and that’ll be brought back through the whole process.”

In October, city council granted a contract for the park’s design and construction document services with engineering firm Kimley-Horn, in the amount of $292,985.

Published December 08, 2021

Zephyrhills golf course to stay open

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The Zephyrhills Municipal Golf Course will remain in play, after all — which is good news for area golfers who enjoy using it.

The Zephyrhills Municipal Golf Course is designed to provide a public, low-cost alternative compared to other courses in the area. The 18-hole, par-68 course is known as a haven for snowbirds and beginners alike. (File)

The Zephyrhills City Council passed a first amendment to its lease agreement with Under Par Inc., to continue to serve as management operators of the 18-hole, par-68 course, at 39248 B Ave.

The action came as part of the consent agenda during a regular meeting on Nov. 29 at Zephyrhills City Hall.

The current lease agreement is set to expire in April 2022.

The new agreement extends the lease for an additional 10 years, until April 30, 2032.

While the initial term is 10 years, the city has the right to cancel the agreement after year five with 18 months’ notice.

Per the lease, Under Par’s annual rent will be $62,000 to the city, and will continue to increase by the consumer-price index (CPI) every two years through April 2027.

Beginning in May 2027, the annual lease will increase by 2% or the CPI each year on an annual basis — whichever figure is greater.

Under Par also will be required to invest $40,000 for the paving of the golf course’s parking lot, within 18 months of the effective agreement. (Should the city cancel years six through 10, the city will pay a penalty of 50% of the remaining golf cart lease and a prorated share of Under Par’s $40,000 capital investment.)

Meanwhile, the course will undergo a slight alteration under the updated lease, as the city secured state funding to construct an access road from Alston Avenue to the airport infield. This access road will be constructed along hole No. 2, along the fence line. The construction will reduce the course’s total acreage by about 0.65 acres, officials say.

Other considerations in the amended agreement include:

  • An option for two five-year renewals
  • No penalties for early termination during the renewal periods, with an 18-month notice
  • Both parties must agree to the renewal at least six months prior to expiration

The city and Under Par have been partners for nearly two decades, as the lessee and lessor originally executed a lease agreement for the course back in September 2002.

Questions had been swirling about the golf course’s future during the past year, as city leaders pondered the possible sale of the 65-acre property.

The National Guard had been scouting the site, on the southwest quadrant of the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, for possible use for a Florida Army National Guard Armory.

But, the military organization turned its attention to a different location near the airport for an armory to house full-time Army officers during the week, plus hundreds of soldiers and service people visiting and training on weekends.

State lawmakers approved $25 million in appropriations to the military organization, for future training grounds in Zephyrhills, during the past legislative session.

The possible sale of the golf course roused area golfers and residents to rally around keeping the golf course, with several speakers turning out to multiple city council meetings in May to voice their support for continuing its operation.

The course — established in 1957, then opened in 1978 — is regarded as a low-cost alternative compared to surrounding golf courses, where snowbirds and others flock to during the year.

It’s also known as a welcoming place for beginners, seniors, and golfers with disabilities.

Representatives with Under Par have previously stated the facility can average upwards of 1,500 players per week and some 6,000 rounds per month, during the busy winter season between October through February.

Published December 08, 2021

Higher density recommended near Zephyrhills

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A request for a land use change that would increase the allowable density on about 30 acres near Zephyrhills is being recommended for approval by the Pasco County Planning Commission.

The land use change would lay the groundwork for a rezoning request to allow the expansion of the Forest Lakes Estates community, a 1,000-home manufactured housing community for people age 55 and older.

Clarke Hobby, an attorney representing Equity Lifestyles, said his client owns the existing 1,000-unit manufactured housing community, which is on the east side of Gateway Drive, and wants to add about 90 additional units on the 30-acre property, on the west side of Gateway Drive, south of County Road 54.

The proposed land use change would increase allowable development from three dwellings per acre up to six units per acre.

Hobby said his client purchased the property about two years ago and has been working on a plan to build a new roadway, as well as to resurface Frontier Drive and Marx Road.

The applicant is proposing a land exchange that would trade a portion of the county-owned Gateway Drive for a right of way the applicant would construct.

“So, my client was going to build an entirely new road, as opposed to have this 30-year-old road (Gateway Drive), which has been patched significantly,” Hobby said.

But neighbors are divided on the request.

During a Nov. 4 planning board meeting, some voiced opposition to the increased density. Those questioning the land use change said it will change how they expected the area to develop, would add traffic and noise, and could pose potential flooding issues.

Neighbors are divided on the proposed road improvements.

Bob Orosz, 5306 Frontier Drive, said residents asked him to work as a liaison between the residents and the applicant — a role he said he would not accept again.

There’s no consensus in the neighborhood regarding the applicant’s proposed roadway improvements, Orosz said.

“We had a road meeting a couple of nights ago, where a couple of people were adamantly opposed to this,” he said. But later, he said, a dozen people approached him privately to say they would like the road, but don’t want to offend others.

Hobby said he was surprised by the opposition.

“I’m somewhat at a loss that this many neighbors are objecting to this, when I thought my client was going above and beyond the duty, here,” Hobby said.

The planning board voted to recommend approval of the request to the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction on land use and zoning issues.

Published December 01, 2021

Pasco officials: Open Ridge Road extension ASAP

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Pasco County officials are pushing to open the Ridge Road extension to the Suncoast Parkway interchange, as soon as the road is ready.

But Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano said that Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise may want to delay the opening.

“They may not have the tolling equipment in place. They may hold back, opening the road,” Mariano told his colleagues, during the board’s Nov. 9 meeting.

“If they don’t have the toll stuff on the roads ready, I think you guys agree, we should just open the road. Let the people start traveling. It’s the people’s money that built it, one way or the other, anyway. Let’s get it going,” Mariano said.

Commissioner Mike Moore agreed, putting it this way: “We need to open this, in the first of December. If they want to continue with holding this up, I will be out there with an orange vest and a flag. And, I’m the last person they want to see on that road, directing traffic every day.”

County Administrator Dan Biles told the board there are efforts underway to persuade Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise to change its position.

“The road is on the verge of being ready for traffic. We expect sometime in the next 30 days, the road — to include the interchange at the Suncoast (Parkway) — to be ready for traffic,” Biles said.

That would extend Ridge Road from Moon Lake Road all of the way to the Suncoast Parkway interchange.

“The one thing holding up finishing it up is the tolling equipment on the north side of Ridge Road —not, on the south side, because there’s a gantry on the south between Ridge and (State Road) 54, that already exists, already tolls at $1.07 a passenger vehicle.

“That tolling equipment (on the north side) may not be in until sometime next spring,” Biles said.

“Right now, the tolling authority is saying, ‘Hey, we want to wait until that’s in, to open it.’”

But Biles said the county’s position is and has been: “No. The second we can put traffic on Ridge Road and the interchange, we need to put traffic on Ridge Road and the interchange.

“Once it’s ready, it should be opened,” Biles reiterated. “It’s an immediate traffic reliever.”

If discussions don’t resolve the issue, the board authorized Commission Chairman Ron Oakley to write a letter to the Turnpike Enterprise, and others that he and Biles identify, to try to get the road opened as soon as possible.

In a related note, Moore told his colleagues that he has requested Rep. Ardian Zika and State Sen. Ed Hooper to  file a state appropriation request for $14 million to support phase two of the Ridge Road extension over to U.S. 41.

Both legislators have agreed to seek the funding, Moore said, which would speed completion of that segment.

“Hopefully, we’ll be hearing some good news, during the (legislative) session,” Moore said.

In other area roadwork news, the construction company Cone & Graham is expected in coming weeks to begin doing the completion work on a widening project on State Road 54, from Curley Road to Morris Bridge Road, according to an update from the District Seven office of the Florida Department of Transportation.

The construction company also will be doing work for Pasco County, at Eiland Boulevard, according to the information from FDOT.

Construction work on the widening of State Road 54 was halted by the previous construction company and the surety company is responsible for bringing the work to completion through a conclusion contractor.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

Pasco’s growth fuels economy

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Apartment construction is dominating residential development along the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor — a magnet for development in the midst of Pasco County’s surging growth.

As rooftops on luxury apartment homes pop up, retail is following, as evidenced by roadside signs and county permits.

Signs like these, east of Odessa, off State Road 54, are popping up on former pastureland up and down the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor. (Fred Bellet)

Former pastures along the heavily traveled road are occupied now with shops, restaurants, apartments, auto dealerships and Class A offices.

The Shops at Wiregrass, near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, in Wesley Chapel, has added Athleta; go! Calendars & games; and, siKicks (a footwear and collectibles shop); Charming Charlies; and, Hickory Farms. Coming soon are Body Details; JABZ Boxing; and The Living Room.

Besides expanding its retail, Cypress Creek Town Center, a massive development west of the Interstate 75/State Road 56 interchange, is jumpstarting its residential plans.

County building permits indicate that Garrett Apartments are coming to Grand Cypress Drive, and Silversaw at Wesley Chapel is rising along Garden Village Way and Citron Boulevard.

Valentino’s Fine Jewelers and The Good Feet Store have opened on Sierra Center Boulevard, the town center’s prime east-west road, and Carrabba’s Italian Grill is coming.

Construction on Miller’s Ale House, meanwhile, is ongoing at the Wesley Chapel Boulevard entry into Tampa Premium Outlets, on the south side of the highway.

Zaxby’s restaurant has opened on Sun Vista Drive near Costco. New offerings at Tampa Premium Outlets will include a Frosty Cart by Wendy’s and new jewelry selections with Banter at Piercing Pagoda.

BMW of Wesley Chapel is building a six-story building on State Road 56. (Fred Bellet)

Just west of Wesley Chapel Boulevard, on the north side of State Road 54, owners of El Dorado furniture store are laying groundwork for a 70,000-square-foot store.

When it opens, expected around June, shoppers will be able to stroll along a streetscape, enjoying more than 20 storefronts showcasing furniture styles from contemporary to traditional.

The Capo family, who is developing El Dorado, opened their first store in the late 1960s in Miami.

The family opened a store in St. Petersburg in late 2019, before the COVID shutdown and, despite the timing, it has fared well, according to Pedro Capo, chief operating officer at El Dorado.

Now, Capo said he expects to hire and train about 50 employees for the Pasco store, likely beginning in March or April.

Capo is optimistic about the Pasco store’s prospects, noting that the county’s residential growth bodes well for building a strong customer base.

El Dorado will join WaWa, Firestone and Burger King along State Road 54 frontage at the Brighthouse Crossings apartments.

Just west of Brighthouse, a Woodie’s Wash Shack has opened at the Shoppes at Cypress Creek. Fazoli’s Italian restaurant is another potential tenant for the new plaza.

More housing and dining options

In Land O’ Lakes, the Avidity Living apartment complex is being built off State Road 54 and Oak Grove Boulevard. The 252-unit development is scheduled to open in 2022.

Also, coming to this location, is EOS Fitness.

Willow Bend Town Centre, at State Road 54 and Collier Parkway, recently added Ayoki Japan restaurant. Esporta Fitness is a rebranding of the former LA Fitness. And a sign near the center’s entrance off the state road suggests Pasco will get another car wash – Vortex Express Car Wash.

A new apartment community, Avidity Living, is being built at State Road 54 and Oak Grove Boulevard, in Land O’ Lakes. EOS Fitness will be built at the intersection. (Fred Bellet)

West of U.S. 41, vacant land at Ballantrae and Cypress Ranch is sprouting “coming soon” signs as construction begins on apartment units, new retail, and a proposed Class A office complex, known as 54 Crossings.

On the south side opposite Ballantrae, the Cypress Ranch development includes Azora, a new apartment complex, with a spring 2022 opening. Signs in front of the complex show a cornucopia of proposed shops including ALDI grocery store, Chick-Fil-A, another EOS Fitness, Honest-1 Auto Care, and The Learning Experience.

“We are happy to confirm that we will open our newest Lutz, Florida location next year, with construction scheduled to begin soon,” according to Matt Thon in a statement provided by email. Thon is the Haines City division vice president for ALDI.

No further details were provided regarding the construction schedule or opening date.

A Circle K is under construction at this location, and a Woodie’s Wash Shack, is coming.

On the north side, 54 Crossings is a proposed 60,000-square-foot Class A office building, at Aprile Drive, adjacent to Ballantrae’s row of fast-food restaurants that includes Taco Bell and Dairy Queen Grill & Chill.

East of the Suncoast Parkway, the master-planned community of Bexley at Newland is moving dirt for a major retail and business center, off State Road 54 and Bexley Village Drive. Known as the Hub at Bexley, the commercial complex is scheduled for a summer 2022 opening.

Bexley’s website describes the Hub as a “retail and business destination,” with a summer 2022 opening. Bexley residents can walk or bike along connecting trails to enjoy dining, shopping, live concerts and family events. But it also is envisioned as an attraction for Tampa Bay residents with easy interstate access.

Construction continues at The Towns of Oakstead, on the north side of State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes. (Fred Bellet)

The Hub also includes a large outparcel on Bexley Village Drive, adjacent to the Springhill Suites hotel and opposite the delivery entrance into the Amazon warehouse. The site will become home to 4 & Co., with about 35,000 square feet of Class A offices and co-work spaces. Memberships and limited passes will be offered. Amenities will include a gym, yoga studio, sauna, a treatment room for acupuncture and massages, and conference rooms.

West of Suncoast Parkway, the Shoppes at Crossings Boulevard initially welcomed HotWorx and Jimmy John’s restaurant. New signs in the development indicate additional tenants will be there, including Beyond 2020 Vision Specialists, PTI Solutions, Touch Nail Spa, and Shauby Dental Institute.

Another apartment complex, Avilla Suncoast, is under construction at Redstone Way and Crossings Boulevard, immediately behind the new Hooters restaurant.

Next along the route, The Preserve Marketplace, off South Branch Road, is increasing its retail and business options with Caring Paws Animal Hospital, 100% Chiropractic, PostNet, Lin China restaurant, Papa Johns restaurant, Burger Fi, Chipotle, Panera Bread, and the USF Federal Credit Union. The shopping center is anchored by the Greenwise Publix grocery store.

Starkey Ranch Town Center, at Gunn Highway and State Road 54, is expanding, too. A shell building is under construction, but the new tenants are not yet identified.

Starkey Ranch Business Park on Heart Pine Avenue recently added Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop. Tropical Smoothie Café has a ‘coming soon’ sign. Butcher’s Mark Fresh Meats and Marinades is another shop on its way.

Clearly, there’s a lot going on, along State Road 54/State Road 56 — and there’s no indication that the pace of activity will slow anytime soon.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

By Kathy Steele

Dade City’s city manager receives 3.98 rating out of 5.0

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Dade City Manager Leslie Porter has made marked improvement in some areas and has room to grow in others — based on a recent performance review and evaluation from the Dade City Commission.

Porter scored a combined 3.98 out of a possible 5.0 points on the evaluation, which was delivered at the commission’s Nov. 9 meeting.

The evaluation covered a period from May 2020 through October 2021.

Each Dade City commissioner completed a summary evaluation scoring sheet and added comments.

Porter was graded on five broad categories:

Management/administration: 3.5

Governance: 4.3

Relationship building: 3.9

Leadership: 3.9

Financial acumen: 4.3

    File

Mayor Camille Hernandez led the evaluation, initially highlighting Porter’s strengths and accomplishments of late. For instance, she noted that Porter has enhanced her communication skills during the evaluation period.

Hernandez said the city manager’s weekly administrative updates to commissioners have been “very well-received and encouraged, so I ask you to continue to do that.”

She also praised Porter’s updates and judicious response to sensitive issues; increased visibility and community outreach; and, improved grasp of municipal governance, among other positives.

“It certainly has not gone unnoticed that you have stepped up,” Hernandez said.

During her tenure, Porter has managed through a pair of cybersecurity incidents; negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement between the city and the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association; and resolved crucial land actions to prevent possible de-annexations.

She also led the city’s COVID-19 response — developing policies for staffing, virtual meetings and access to public facilities.

While describing Porter as “moving in the right direction,” Hernandez identified areas in which Porter can focus more energy.

For instance, Hernandez there’s a need to foster more team-building and respect, throughout the workplace.

The commission also wants Porter to use best practices in setting city policies and procedures. For instance, the city manager should take advantage of guidance and resources available through the Florida City and County Management Association.

Dade City Manager Leslie Porter (File)

The commission would like Porter to document and coordinate performance reviews and evaluations of other city staffers “in a more-timely fashion.”

Holding fellow city staffers accountable is another issue “that’s come up repeatedly,” Hernandez noted.

“All in all, I think it was kudos for the strengths that are witnessed, but I do think there’s some areas that we need to hold people accountable,” the mayor said of Porter.

“There’s just so much activity, we need to have systems in place to make sure that we are not dropping the ball and things are happening,” Hernandez said.

When the city drops the ball on an issue, it embarrasses the commission and reflects on city staff, Hernandez said.

“I do think these are resolvable issues, so I encourage you to look at these, resolve these, and keep moving forward,” Hernandez added.

She also emphasized that Porter should cross-train new staff and use them in various departments, at the city manager’s discretion.

Porter’s response to the evaluation was brief.

“Thank you for the feedback. I appreciate it, and I appreciate the opportunity,” said Porter, who was hired as the city’s finance director in 2014.

She became interim city manager in February 2019, assuming the post held for many years by Billy Poe, who took a similar position with the City of Zephyrhills.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez (File)

Porter was selected after the city was unable to reach a contract agreement with Christopher Edwards, its initial top candidate for the position, who was then a real estate associate in Tallahassee and previously had served as deputy director of the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economy Vitality.

Instead of choosing to interview a list of new candidates, the commission opted to proceed with Porter for the post. She started with a base salary of about $99,000.

Before coming to Dade City, Porter spent nearly a decade working as town treasurer for the Town of Chesapeake Beach, in Maryland.

She has a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University and a master’s degree from George Washington University.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

Dade City seeks feedback on design plans for Seventh Street

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Dade City leaders are inviting the public to an open house to discuss conceptual design plans for the Seventh Street streetscaping improvement project.

The meeting is scheduled for Dec. 7 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Dade City Hall Commission Chambers, 38030 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

The city hopes to make improvements to help create a downtown area that’s attractive, walkable and bikeable — essentially appealing to everyone who visits the area.

And, the city wants to hear the community’s reaction to possible improvements.

The city is considering the reconfiguration of street sections for traffic calming, and to accommodate sidewalks, bike lanes, landscaping and lighting.

The city has hired Johnson Engineering to develop a streetscape improvement conceptual plan along Seventh Street, from Pond Avenue to Florida Avenue.

Johnson Engineering has prepared first-draft renderings of the possible configurations of each typical section of the corridor.

The sections are:

  • Florida Avenue to Church Avenue
  • Church Avenue to Meridian Avenue
  • Meridian Avenue to Martin Luther King Boulevard
  • Martin Luther King Boulevard to Pond Avenue

The open house is intended to be an opportunity for members of the public to express what’s important to them.

“There’ll be information for people to see, people can come in and ask questions, (and) make comments,” Dade City Manager Leslie Porter said, during a Nov. 9 city commission meeting.

The feedback is important, she added, noting the engineering firm already is making some changes based on initial feedback received from residents and citizens. The city held a similar exercise for the Morningside Drive extension route study.

For information, visit tinyurl.com/j6ekbntz, or call 352-523-5050, ext. 420.

Published Nov. 24, 2021