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Zephyrhills/East Pasco News

Report sheds light on Dade City economy

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An economic development report shows how the City of Dade City is faring through the first quarter of the 2019-2020 fiscal year — in other words, from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.

Dade City’s new community and economic development director, Melanie Romagnoli, presented the quarterly report to city commissioners at a regular meeting on Jan. 16.

Romagnoli, who assumed the position late last year, first unveiled a portion of the city’s current demographics — some of which may come as a surprise to the small town community.

Dade City community and economic development director Melanie Romagnoli recently briefed city commissioners on the first quarter of fiscal year 2019-2020. (Courtesy of Melanie Romagnoli)

The city has actually positioned itself as a younger market, she said, with a median age of 35.5 years old, according U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey findings.

The findings show more beginning householders and newer marriages are settling in the city limits.

“The young ones are taking over,” Romagnoli quipped to commissioners.

Of the city’s roughly 2,600 residential households, traditional living makes up the dominant tapestry segment, encompassing a mix of married couple families and singles. The next largest segment is the senior or elderly population.

The city’s median household income is $40,000, with primary employment in the manufacturing, retail trade and health care sectors.

The report also states that generally two generations have lived and worked in the community, and their children are likely to follow suit.

Romagnoli shared other various development figures in the new fiscal year.

The city staffer said there were 475 total permits and 477 building inspections in the first three months, equating to roughly $156 million in improvements, upgrades and so on.

She explained a majority of those permits were related to new single-family homes, apartments and commercial buildings, followed by various renovations to properties in the form of new roofs, new air conditioning units, garage doors and other improvements.

Romagnoli also noted that the city experienced 102 new code enforcement cases in the first quarter. Of those, 59 have already achieved compliance. Eight required liens from the city for the mowing of overgrowth. The remaining 35 cases are still open, undergoing due process and re-inspections.

Meantime, she said the city’s planning and zoning department has been “fully loaded” with work orders — anything that requires comprehensive plan amendments, zoning amendments and annexations.

The department underwent 116 site plan approvals/reviews and two land use variances. It also  sent out 238 zoning determination calls/letters during the last three months.

The department also completed 31 pre-application redevelopment meetings with various developers.

Online permitting is expected to become available sometime this quarter, Romagnoli said.

There also will be an online GIS map system available for public viewing of parcels and properties in the city limits.

And, the economic development director mentioned two new city planners were recently added to the department. Sarah Rader, a Planner I, is updating the city’s future land use maps and filing system. Sam Mirza, a Planner II, has assumed planning commission duties, as well as anything related to site plan, long-range and current planning.

Romagnoli also outlined some of her initiatives for the rest of the year.

She told commissioners that she plans to have more focused and proactive code enforcement efforts, particularly getting a handle on illegal dumping areas and abandoned/junk vehicles.

She said those are “two particular issues we have throughout the city.”

She continued: “We’re trying to get some of the concerns addressed by the neighborhoods.”

She has ideas for sprucing up downtown, too.

She hopes to upgrade downtown lighting and kiosks, establish a downtown landscaping plan in collaboration with the Dade City Garden Club, and develop a public art mural standards and application process.

She’s also interested in creating a prospectus for the city’s CRA (Community Redevelopment Area) district that would include property valuations, areas of focus and marketing material, in partnership with local realtors and building owners.

Other large-scale projects Romagnoli plans to focus on include:

  • Contracting a visitor’s information center at the Hardy Trail
  • Updating the city’s comprehensive plan
  • Finalizing and completing enclave annexations
  • Developing a city destination marketing plan with involvement from local merchants and stakeholders

Published January 22, 2020

Local YMCA: A hotspot for seniors

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Zephyrhills is known for being a place where lots of people like to come during the winter — to avoid the bitter cold winters Up North.

Some of the snowbirds who flock there enjoy the community so much, they become permanent residents.

But there’s always a perceptible increase in traffic on the roads and diners when the snowbirds are in town.

Group exercise classes give seniors a chance to stay fit, and socialize, at the East Pasco Family YMCA in Zephyrhills. (Brian Fernandes)

That uptick in activity is evident in other places, too, including the East Pasco Family YMCA.

The Zephyrhills branch offers seniors a place where they can stay active and can socialize.

Ryan Pratt, membership and wellness experience director at the branch, said he often chats with seniors to learn about their interests, with the aim of providing more programming for them.

There tends to be an influx of older members during this time of year, he said.

But the community also is heavily populated with seniors year-round.

And, because of that, the East Pasco YMCA has “specialized senior programming,” he said.

“That’s really taken off, I would say, over the last six months,” he added.

The Active Older Adults program offers group exercise classes.

In those classes, seniors perform stretches and work out in unison, under the direction of an instructor.

There are provisions made in the courses to accommodate those who have physical limitations, to allow them to exercise along with those who do not have those limitations, he said.

For instance, some class members may be in a wheelchair, while others are still quite active and fit, he said.

Healthy Living Initiative Programs offer therapeutic sessions for those with chronic issues such as arthritis.

Clare Christmas, of St. Leo, enjoys using the gym at East Pasco Family YMCA, in Zephyrhills.

And for those who prefer individual work outs, there’s a gym room.

At the beginning of the year, the facility added new exercise equipment and weights.

Those heading to the East Pasco YMCA also can enjoy such sports as basketball, volleyball and pickleball.

Pickelball, which is similar to tennis, is quite popular, Pratt said.

A senior committee meets once a month with center staff, to offer suggestions and feedback from members.

It allows their voices to be heard — and, it’s a way to promote potluck meals at the facility, Pratt said.

Last year, the YMCA branch started to implement a calendar to give members a heads up about non-exercise related activities.

Aside from fitness programs, it’s a place where seniors can hang out and socialize over a cup of coffee.

It’s a therapeutic environment for those who can empathize with someone else’s struggles, Pratt said.

“I’ve seen laughing, crying, hugging every day,” Pratt said.

Another Healthy Living Initiative Program is Live Strong.

This group consists of cancer survivors who can share their thoughts and learn about choosing healthier foods.

Sometimes older member venture out and about.

“Our senior group will go one visit to a Zephyrhills restaurant and one visit to a Dade City restaurant,” Pratt said. “We’ll get 15, 25, 30 people this time of year, with our snowbirds down here.”

The twice-a-month field trips allow the group to get a good meal and to support local businesses, Pratt added.

When a member has been absent for several weeks, the YMCA staff will check up on them, Pratt said.

Pratt said the facility is like the television show “Cheers.”

It’s a place, “where everybody knows your name,” he said.

“We do like to say we’re more than just a gym,” he added. “We are here to serve this community. That is our mission, that’s are goal.”

To learn more about the East Pasco Family YMCA, please call (813) 780-9622 or visit www.TampaYMCA.org.

Published January 22, 2020

A sizzlin’, smokin’ and searin’ good time

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Thousands of people headed out to the 10th annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival for a common reason – to listen to live Blues music, while enjoying barbeque chicken, pork and brisket.

With a loaded baked potato from Sadie’s Roasted Corn LTD in hand, Michael Harper, of Hudson, feeds a bite to Leslie, his wife of eight years. The duo also tried out the corn on the cob, which they both said was delicious. (Christine Holtzman)

The event, presented by The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, took place on Jan. 17 and Jan. 18 at the Zephyrhills Community Venue, 5200 Airport Road.

The People’s Choice dessert competition was held on Jan. 17. A steak competition and kid’s grilling competition, both sanctioned by the Steak Cookoff Association, also were held that evening. A cornhole tournament with a $500 purse and the music of live, local bands rounded out the evening.

The Smoke Shack’s John Caldwell uses a large knife to chop up some brisket that has been slow cooking for 18 hours. Caldwell, who travels all over the country competing in barbeque events, spends his time between his homes in Lakeland, Florida; Mobile, Alabama; and, Columbus, Ohio.

The main event on Jan. 18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., featured the delicious food offerings of 60 professional and backyard barbeque teams. They were competing for a share of the $10,000 in cash prizes and bragging rights. The competition is approved by the Florida BBQ Association.

While tucking into their delicious plates of barbeque, attendees were entertained by some top Blues musical acts, including The Sauce Boss, Chris Walker Band, Sean Chambers, and Chuck Riley’s All Stars.

Besides sampling the barbeque, event-goers could visit the Kids Zone, complete with games, bounce houses and a rock-climbing tower. Those attending also could check out a Business Expo, which featured numerous local businesses and vendors with products available for sale. Other options included a Swine & Shine Car Show, access to the Zephyrhills Military History Museum, and another cornhole tournament with a $1,000 purse.

Published January 22, 2020

Twelve-year-old Erin Potter, left, presses lemons, while 7-year-old Aspen Bahr takes orders for cups of freshly squeezed lemonade. The girls are both from Zephyrhills and are helping out at Aspen’s Uncle Kevin’s business, Bahr’s Smokin Butts. Potter estimates that she has squeezed over 100 lemons in a three-hour span.
Deb Cadieux, of Zephyrhills, left, and her husband, Doug, clap at the end of Sean Chambers’ performance of his original song, ‘Red Hot Mama.’ The duo, both dressed in tie-dye T-shirts, were dancing in the special area in front of the stage that was reserved for dancing.
Billboard charting artist and Florida native Sean Chambers, left, jams out on stage with his band.
Five-year-old Xander Tombillo, of Wesley Chapel, zooms down a giant, inflatable slide inside the Kids Zone area of the festival. The youngster was at the event with his parents Kate and Matt, who estimated Xander had gone down the slide at least 20 times already.
Proudly wearing the iconic Pigz in Z’Hills hat, James Messer, of Dade City, enjoys a cold brew while smiling at his wife, Erica, who was shopping at the vendor booths inside of the Business Expo area.

Pigz in Z’Hills to celebrate its 10th year

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The largest event in Zephyrhills is gearing up for its 10th anniversary — with a few more fixins’.

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce’s annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest is set for Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Zephyrhills Community Venue, 5200 Airport Road, Zephyrhills.

Admission is free, but parking is $10.

The annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival returns on Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There also will be a special Friday night event, to celebrate the festival’s 10th anniversary. (File)

To kick off its 10th year, festivities have been added for a special Friday celebration on Jan. 17 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. It will include a steak cookoff and kid’s grilling competition sanctioned by the Steak Cookoff Association, as well as a second-day cornhole tournament, “People’s Choice” dessert contest, and a local band showcase featuring Hired Gun, The Groovediggers, Time Travelers, and Jase Randall Band.

“We just wanted Friday night to be a local celebration where people could come relax and have a good time,” said Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Executor Director Melonie Monson, who’s organizing Pigz in Z’Hills.

As usual, Saturday’s main event is the Florida BBQ Association-approved barbecue competition, with 60 competition teams, both professional and backyard, vying for top honors and trophies in four standard categories: chicken, pork, brisket and ribs. Professional teams have the added incentive of potentially winning $10,000 in prize money.

While attendees munch on barbecue, live blues music will be going all day long, with a lineup headlined by Sean Chambers, along with the Chris Walker Band, Chuck Riley’s All-Star Band, and Sauce Boss.

There will be plenty of other entertainment on hand, too.

A business expo also will be featured, and there’s the return of a two-team, double-elimination cornhole tournament with a chance to win a cash prize and a trophy.

Car enthusiasts are welcome to participate in the car show, or to simply check out the motorcycles and vehicles on display.

Visitors also can get a free tour of the Zephyrhills Military History Museum, and take a look at refurbished wartime planes and other unique memorabilia.

The barbecue festival is the largest event in Zephyrhills. Last year’s drew a record crowd of 13,500.

Youths can get in on the fun in the Kidz Zone, which will have face painting, arts and crafts, and games.

Last year’s festival marked its largest showing ever — with over 13,500 attendees. The figure represents how far the event has come in a decade, when it drew about 2,500 patrons in its first year back in 2011.

Monson feels the event’s success lies in the community involvement and the 200-plus volunteers who come together to help out, to ensure everyone has a good time.

The event also serves as a large fundraiser for scholarships, youth leadership programs and children’s charities.

The chamber director put it like this: “When people come, they have a positive experience, so they’re telling others. We have a real strong motto that we want everyone to be happy. We want everybody to feel like, ‘This is exactly what our town represents.’”

Over the years, Pigz in Z’Hills has distinguished itself to be a qualifier for three prestigious championship contests:  Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational in Lynchburg, Tennessee, long considered the Super Bowl of barbecue contests; American Royal World Series of BBQ in Kansas City, the world’s largest and oldest barbecue contest; and, the Sonny’s Smokin’ Showdown Invitational in Orlando.

Many of the competitive teams coming to Zephyrhills are professionals who travel to barbecue events all over the United States.

Zephyrhills resident and business owner Randy Light, of Puroclean Cooking Team, outlined what all it takes to ensure a strong showing in the barbecue contest, during a recent Zephyrhills Chamber breakfast meeting.

He explained cooking teams begin prepping at least a week before the contest, deciding which types and cuts of meats to purchase, and testing out different sauces and seasonings.

Light noted the chicken category takes the longest to prep, compared to other meats, as there’s a lengthy process of trimming, weighing, brining, injecting and so on.

“Chicken’s one of the hardest things to do,” he said. “You don’t just take it out and grill it.”

Light added a lot of thought also goes into which types of barbecue sauce to use for each judge that will appeal to the competition’s 75 judges. Because some judges might prefer hot sauce, while other prefer sweet, he said his team tries to find a “happy medium sauce.”

Light acknowledged the entire process takes much time and effort, and he enjoys every bit of the experience.

“We have a lot of fun cooking for the community. It’s awesome,” Light said.

For more information, visit ZephyrhillsChamber.org, call (813) 782-1913, or visit the Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Facebook Page.

Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival
Where: Zephyrhills Community Venue, 5200 Airport Road, Zephyrhills
When: Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free admission; $10 for parking
Details: Guests can enjoy smoked barbecued foods right off the grill, listen to blues bands, play cornhole, and check out car and aviation shows.
Info: Call (813) 782-1913, or visit ZephyrhillsChamber.org.

Published January 15, 2020

State senator offers helping hand for seniors

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When Jemith Rosa approached State Sen. Wilton Simpson seeking some assistance for a project to help senior citizens, she came away with more than she expected.

Rosa went to Simpson to see if he could help her with her quest for a new, and larger senior center in Dade City.

Simpson, of Trilby, responded to her request by donating 1.7 acres, behind the existing center in downtown Dade City.

Jemith Rosa, left, is joined by State Sen. Wilton Simpson; Dr. Rao Musunuru, CARES board member; and, Lauran Simpson Monbarren. (Courtesy of Melissa Kehler/Community Aging & Retirement Services)

Rosa, who is president and CEO of Community Aging & Retirement Services Inc., couldn’t believe Simpson’s response.

“He looked me straight in my eyes and he said, ‘Jemith, believe it or not, I can make that wish come true immediately.’

“Everything happened in like 30 seconds,” Rosa recounted.

Simpson is a Republican representing District 10, which includes Citrus and Hernando counties, and portions of Pasco County.

A new “One Stop” senior services center is needed because the current facility is too small, Rosa said. The donation of Simpson’s land helps further CARES’ pursuit of a larger facility, Rosa said.

“In East Pasco alone, we have over 600 people waiting for those services,” Rosa said.

CARES is a nonprofit organization, established in 1973, to serve seniors.

It provides senior citizens with activities to stay productive. It also provides physical and occupational therapy, and meals.

The center provides support to caregivers by giving them a place where they can bring their loved ones and know they’ll be in a “secure, beautiful, positive environment,” Rosa said. That gives caregivers a break, so they can take care of themselves, she explained.

CARES’ staff also provides some in-home services as well, which consist of housekeeping, personal care and meal preparation.

And, it provides those seniors with their own emergency response necklace to use in situations such as a fall.

To offer all these services, the organization relies on federal and state grants.

And now, it is trying to raise the money needed to build on the site that Simpson donated.

Rosa envisions a 6,000-square-foot facility to better serve a large number of seniors.

The new building would consist of a resource center where seniors can receive information on how to remain independent.

Rosa hopes the center would have multiple rooms to offer activities and seminars on healthy living. She’d also like to have a case management team available at the center.

Aside from government funding, Rosa said another possible source of support could be a fundraiser.

She also is pursuing a partnership with Pasco County Senior Services to provide adequate dining.

So far, there’s no anticipated date for building the new senior center, but Rosa said Simpson’s donation brings the project a giant step closer to becoming a reality.

“We at CARES, we are so grateful to Senator Simpson, that he has done this for us,” Rosa said.

Published January 15, 2020

Mobile food pantry to help feed families

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The Circle of Veterans and Families Inc. (COV), in coordination with Paddling for Veterans and in partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay, will provide a mobile food pantry for veterans, community members and children, in honor of Martin Luther King Day.

The pantry will be open on Jan. 18 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., or until supplies are exhausted, at the Lewis Abraham Boys and Girls Club, 38724 Mudcat Grant Blvd., in Dade City.

The event will feature seven pallets to nine pallets of food, averaging 5,000 pounds to 7,000 pounds of a variety of fresh produce, meat, dry goods, and bread and bakery items. This amount of food typically feeds 250 to 300 families.

For information, contact Tice Ridley at (773) 859-9006 or .

For those interested in COV, this 501c3 charitable organization is located at The Circle of Veterans Ranch and Rehabilitation Center, a 10-acre ranch in Dade City/Lacoochee, in Pasco County.

The ranch creates a transition space for education, relaxing, rejuvenating, and most of all connecting. It provides transitional housing for eight male veterans at a time, but its doors are open to other veterans to come and socialize at any time.

It provides alternative therapies, too, including equine and animal therapy, that do not require the veteran to relive a traumatic experience.

Published January 15, 2020

Kumquat Festival ushers in a new decade

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It’s time to indulge in a tiny, tart fruit called the kumquat.

After all, the fruit is considered to be the centerpiece of the Kumquat Festival, now celebrating its 23rd year.

This year’s Kumquat Festival will once again offer various kumquat treats, as well as activities for the public. Live entertainment also will amplify music for the masses. (File)

Besides offering fun family activities, the festival showcases downtown Dade City, offering visitors a chance to sample a taste of Old Florida and some Southern hospitality, too.

The free event is set for Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in downtown Dade City, near the Historic Pasco County Courthouse.

Thousands of people flock to the area every year in an event that gives downtown Dade City merchants a chance to show off their shops and gives entertainers a place to showcase their talents.

It’s also an annual gathering that draws upon the generosity of local volunteers and sponsors.

“This is a marvelous event that is truly a local volunteer-run festival,” said John Moors, executive director of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce. “I know the hundreds of folks involved are very proud of their community for producing such a quality show every year.”

As always, the kumquat fruit, known as the “little gold gem of the citrus industry,” will be found in all sorts of treats and beverages, including pies, cookies, ice cream, smoothies, marmalade, salsa, beer and wine.

Hundreds of vendors will be there, offering not only kumquat-related foods, but arts and crafts, and other items. Local restaurants will be serving up food, too.

There will be a quilt challenge and a Festival Collector Car Show.

There will be face-painting, and kids will have an activity area, too.

All public parking is free, and there will be free shuttle rides from two satellite parking areas. One is at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, on State Road 52. The other is at next to Jarrett Ford, at 38300 Dick Jarret Way, in Dade City, on the U.S. 301 truck route.

Those wishing to volunteer should call Melody Floyd or Mary Beth Lumbra at (352) 567-3769, or email .

A volunteer orientation dinner also has been scheduled for Jan. 21 at 5:30 p.m., at Hampton Inn Dade City-Zephyrhills, 13215 U.S. 301, Dade City.

For additional information about the Kumquat Festival, call (352) 567-3769, or visit DadeCityChamber.org/Annual-Kumquat-Festivalr.

Kumquat Festival
When: Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Downtown Dade City
Cost: Free admission
Parking: Parking is free. Free shuttles run continuously from two satellite parking areas. One is at the Pasco County Fairgrounds on State Road 52 and the other is located next to Jarrett Ford, at 38300 Dick Jarret Way, in Dade City, on the U.S. 301 truck route. Parking also is available at various locations just outside of festival area, but that fills up fast.
Details: The festival, now in its 23rd year, will feature live entertainment, an array of activities, vendors and all things kumquat.
Info: Call (352) 567-3769, or visit DadeCityChamber.org/Annual-Kumquat-Festivalr.

Published January 15, 2020

Starting a new year, with a home of their own

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It was a momentous day when Carla and Dwayne Gude were able to enter a home of their own, in Dade City.

The house dedication ceremony marked the culmination of a collaboration between the couple and Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County.

Carla and Dwayne Gude are the new owners of a home that has been renovated in Dade City. The house, which was dedicated last December, was the 150th home project by the Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County. (Brian Fernandes)

The event also marked the branch’s 150th house project.

On the morning of Dec. 19, Crystal Lazar, president and chief executive officer for the Habitat’s local branch, told those gathered: “This is one of the best and our favorite times for Habitat for Humanity. We’re celebrating the hard work that the Gude family has put into this house.”

After applying for a Habitat home two years ago, Carla and Dwayne spent a year designing what would be their new residence.

It was a collaborative effort as they were assisted by many volunteers offering their time.

Unlike most Habitat homes, this one wasn’t built from the ground up. But it was renovated, to meet Dwayne’s needs.

Dwayne needed a home that could accommodate the wheelchair from which he lives life.

This home does just that. It has two ramps – one leading to the front door and one leading to the home’s side door.

The home’s bathroom has a shower equipped with open space, so Dwayne can use it.

While the home is outfitted with a new fridge, microwave, stove and cabinets — Carla is most impressed by the handicap-accessible amenities.

And, being that they moved in during the holidays, there was another nice touch: A Christmas tree with gifts beneath it, in the home’s living room.

The balloons on Carla and Dwayne Gude’s newly renovated home signify a milestone for Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco. This is the organization’s 150th project.

In addition to the living room, there’s a spacious dining room, and down the hallway, there are three bedrooms and a laundry room.

For the Gudes, their new residence represents a notable upgrade from their former Dade City home.

The dedication day was a big day for Carla.

“It’s awesome. We’ve been waiting for two years for this,” Carla said.

As part of the celebration, the Gudes received several gifts.

They received bread, salt, sugar, a broom, a candle and a Bible — each gift signifying a symbolic meaning for what a home should be.

The East Pasco Quilt Guild brought the family a colorful quilt, which they held up for the crowd to see.

Laurel Weightman, development director at the Habitat branch, blessed the house key before it was handed over to the couple.

“It takes many hands, many hours to get a Habitat house prepared and ready,” she said.

The house sponsors, Wesley Chapel Honda and Wesley Chapel Toyota were there, too, and their staff helped to hold up the big ribbon for the ceremonial cutting, before the key opened the front door.

Carla expressed her gratitude for her family saying, “Every obstacle [has] been a roller coaster for me, but I’m thankful for my family being there anytime, with a listening ear of encouragement and prayers. I love you.”

Carla’s father, Kenneth, said he was proud and happy for his daughter to finally have this home.

In addition to celebrating the couple’s home, Habitat also celebrated its milestone event.

“Building 150 houses, we’re talking about 600 people in the community that are directly impacted by those houses,” said John Finnerty, the branch’s inaugural executive director.

Published January 08, 2020

Dade City is adding population, new attractions

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As a new decade begins, the City of Dade City plans to resolve its longstanding stormwater issues, enliven its downtown with more shops and entertainment, add new attractions and to increase residential development.

The Dade City Commission also is expected to vote on the issue of allowing medical marijuana dispensaries within the city limits during the first quarter of 2020.

Here is a closer look for what’s in store for 2020, and beyond.

Resolving stormwater issues
Dade City’s downtown streets and sidewalks have been known to be swallowed in at least 6 inches to 7 inches of standing water for days at a time after heavy summer rains.

Much of that should be resolved soon.

Construction is in full swing to fix the downtown flooding and drainage issues — via a $2.3 million stormwater capital improvement project, paid for with a combination of state appropriations, and funding from the Florida Department of Transportation and Dade City.

The project takes underground concrete piping through multiple downtown streets into an existing conveyance system into a reconfigured Irwin Pond, just past U.S. 98 and the CSX railway.

Work has been paused to accommodate the Jan. 25 Kumquat Festival in downtown, but the project completion is expected around mid-year.

Meantime, the city is seeking state appropriations and disaster recovery funding for a another multimillion dollar stormwater project in the Dade Oaks community.

A bike hub/splash park is coming
City staffers recently closed on a $800,000 land purchase that will become the location of a splash park/bike hub to the city’s downtown area — on a 2.23-acre parcel on Church Street, which borders the Hardy Trail and is diagonal from The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce. (The contract sale price totals $1.3 million, as the property owners have agreed to donate the difference toward the park project.)

A preliminary concept plan for the project calls for a multi-use water splash pad, bike-share shelter, amphitheater, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible playground, open space, a concession area and other amenities. The next step will be developing and finalizing a master plan for the project, with input from residents and city officials, then moving onto a final design and engineered site plan.

According to Dade City Manager Leslie Porter, the project will likely be completed in phases over the next several years, starting with the bike hub, which could break ground this year, in partnership with Pasco County’s tourism office.

Events venue and retail shops
What was once a vacant car dealership in downtown Dade City will soon be a hub for retail and social entertainment, called The Block.

The development, at 14313 Seventh St., involves converting two existing buildings, totaling 21,000 square feet.

The main plaza will have an area for retail spaces, along with a venue to accommodate events, such as weddings, parties and fundraisers. There also are potential plans for a bridal shop and a brewery there, too.

The second building is being turned into a CrossFit gym.

An outdoor patio and bar will run between the two complexes, complete with seats and tables,  and string lights hanging above.

While inclusive to all, it is geared toward the younger-adult demographic, somewhat inspired by the mixed-use Armature Works facility in Tampa Heights.

Expected to open in phases beginning this year, The Block is the brainchild of local realtor and investor Larry Guilford and Melanie Armstrong, owner of Savory Roots Catering and Events.

Dade City will be home to Florida’s first-ever snow park attraction, called Snowcat Ridge. (Courtesy of Point Summit Inc.)

A snow park in Dade City?
Come November, Dade City will be home to a very unique recreation attraction — the state’s first-ever snow park, called Snowcat Ridge.

The one-of-a-kind snow park will feature a 60-foot-tall and 400-foot-long snow tubing hill, where visitors will be able to ride in single, double, or six-person tubes down the hill; a 10,000-square-foot snow play dome to make snowmen and snow castles; and, an Alpine Village serving food and hot cocoa.

For those wondering, snow will be made with technology that can stay in place for an extended period of time, provided the temperature is under 80 degrees.

The project is being developed by Point Summit Inc., which also manages TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park and Scream-a-Geddon Horror Park. It will be located at 27839 Saint Joe Road.

Residential development on the rise
Like neighboring Zephyrhills, Dade City anticipates a surge of new rooftops in the coming decade, as the municipality has roughly 4,000 residential unit entitlements — which means they are actively under construction or review.

This year, the city will see 25 single-family homes come online at Countryside, a development situated behind McDonald’s that sits at U.S. 301, while affordable workforce/affordable housing communities Osprey Pointe (110 multi-family units) and Arbours at Hester Lake (80 multi-family units) are expected to begin leasing in the next few months.

Other residential developments on tap include the following:

  • Highland Trails: 1,110 single-family
  • Wickett: 892 single-family, multi-family, assisted living, townhomes
  • Summitview: 812 single-family, townhomes
  • Philmon: 510 single-family
  • Suwanee Lakeside: 302 single-family
  • Abbey Glenn II: 170 single-family

Vote expected on medical marijuana dispensaries
Dade City has had a series of concurrent moratoriums on medical marijuana treatment centers within its municipal limits dating back to 2016, but that could change in the new year.

City commissioners in September directed city staff to draft an amendment to the city’s land development regulations that would permit medical marijuana dispensaries in the general commercial zoning district. That district generally spans U.S. 301/U.S. 98 south and north of town, but avoids much of the city’s historic downtown main street and central business district.

A drafted ordinance is expected to come before the city’s planning board and the city commission sometime during the first quarter of 2020.

Published January 08, 2020

Dade City announces road closures for stormwater project

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The City of Dade City has announced updated road closures that will take effect after the Kumquat Festival, for when construction resumes on the city’s downtown stormwater capital improvement project.

Following the Jan. 25 festival, Seventh Street will be closed between Church Avenue and Pasco Avenue, for approximately one month to complete construction of the stormwater improvements, and provide a staging area for equipment and materials. Pasco Avenue will remain open to two-way traffic between Seventh Street and Fifth Street until the water main construction, anticipated in March.

While Seventh Street will be closed, the city has secured permission from several private property owners to be able to utilize their existing parking areas for public use.

Customers can utilize the city’s public parking areas on Eighth Street and Pasco Avenue, as well as Bank of America and the former site for San Antonio Credit Union on Church Avenue. Additionally, on-street parking will be available in surrounding blocks.

City officials are encouraging visitors traversing the downtown area to watch for construction crew members, and yield to all the construction signs and workers. Traffic patterns and detours will change in the upcoming weeks as construction continues, city officials say.

The city will be posting regular updates in the upcoming weeks on their website at DadeCityFl.com.

For more information, call (352) 523-5050.

Published January 08, 2020