The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Zephyrhills/East Pasco News

Zephyrhills approves 2023-2024 fiscal budget

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The City of Zephyrhills has adopted a budget of slightly less than $106.5 million.

The Zephyrhills City Council has approved a millage rate of 6.25 for the 2023-20224 fiscal year. One mill equals $1 for every thousand dollars of taxable value.

The City of Zephyrhills approved its 2023-2024 fiscal budget, with the tab coming in at just over $106 million, a $6 million increase from last year. (Mike Camunas)

This is the fifth time, out of the past six budgets, that the city has increased its spending plan.

The millage rate approved on July 24 is expected to generate $7,990,644 of ad valorem tax revenue for the general fund. 

The council adopted a budget of $106,470,399 for the coming fiscal year, up slightly from the previous year, at its Sept. 25 meeting.

Total expenditures for the 2022-2023 budget were $100,621,184.

The city — Pasco County’s largest municipality — now has an estimated property valuation of more than $1.1 billion. It also has a steadily increasing population, which is now approaching nearly 20,000.

Several ongoing projects in the city, however, were part of last year’s budget, including the city’s massive sidewalk construction project spanning approximately 10,500 linear feet in areas surrounding West Zephyrhills Elementary School.

The city earmarked $1 million of the 2022-2023 fiscal budget — which is a 33% increase from the previous year — specifically to address this sidewalk project, which is expected to be completed in June 2024.

Funds for the sidewalk project, as well as other projects, such as the Hercules Park project, were made available through the Penny for Pasco initiative, which was renewed through Dec. 31, 2039 in the municipal elections in November 2022.

Published October 04, 2023

Merger is pending for Dade City and Zephyrhills chambers

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The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce are discussing a merger to become the East Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

The chambers announced the pending merger in a news release on Sept. 28.

The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce are discussing a pending merger to become the East Pasco Chamber of Commerce, the two chambers announced on Sept. 28. (Mike Camunas)

Discussions of a possible merger have popped up in the past and now the two groups are in the planning stages to create a single business support organization.

They are expected to combine their efforts to “continue to strengthen and enhance the businesses throughout East Pasco.
By uniting their efforts they will be able to bring “new cooperative marketing opportunities, workforce development strategies and a stronger combined effort for advocacy,” the release says.

During the coming weeks, committees will address how to preserve traditions, while assisting area businesses to help build prosperity.

“The merger aims to enhance the organization’s presence in the area including workforce development, membership services, small business networking, mentoring, growth opportunities and a broader impact in this fast-growing economic environment,” the release adds.

The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce has been operating as a successful trade association organization for over 50 years and represents over 430 businesses, associations, nonprofits, and individuals throughout Pasco County, according to the release.

Membership in The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce includes businesses, government agencies, public-private corporations, nonprofit organizations, and individuals with a shared interest in preserving and enhancing the quality of life in Zephyrhills, the release says.

The East Pasco Chamber Foundation is incorporated in the State of Florida as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and is dedicated to advancing the quality of life in East Pasco through education, leadership, economic development, and community enhancement.

Revised October 03, 2023

Take a walk through Dade City history

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Even though the landscape, and buildings, have changed, the history remains.

It has stood the test of time, as many things have in Dade City. And now, some of the town’s most dedicated residents want to show off that history, for all to see.

The 1909 Pasco County Courthouse, or the No. 1 stop on the brand-new, 82-stop Dade City Historical Self-Guided Tour, sits at the intersection of Meridian Avenue and Seventh Street. It is the crown jewel of downtown Dade City, as well as the centerpiece of the new walking tour available to residents and tourists alike. In April 2022, a committee of Dade City historians formed to create this comprehensive historical walking tour. It is complete with a web site, narration for stops and QR codes that cover historical sites and massive amounts of history in Dade City. The city was incorporated in 1889. (Mike Camunas)

They’ve created the Dade City Historical Self-Guided Tour — a comprehensive and immersive tour of historical sites, buildings, streets, monuments and more scattered throughout town. 

It was the brainchild of the president of the Dade City Merchants Association, Margaret Angell, and Mary Katherine Mason, owner of Lanky Lassie’s Shortbread. They wanted a way to preserve the town’s history that dates back to the late 1800s.

They recruited some of Dade City’s foremost historians, with the project taking more than a year to complete. 

In the end, the tour came to a whopping 82 stops.

“The idea was to teach people easily, through a walking tour or on their phone or computer, of the rich history in our town,” Mason said. “And, as people travel to our town to see the history, it will show the commissioners that Dade City is worth preserving. It will show that Dade City is a destination for history and small town charm, as some people try to escape the Wesley Chapels and Tampas.

The Dade City Heritage and Cultural Museum on U.S. 98 was once the 1912 Atlantic Coastline Railroad Depot. It is stop No. 12 on the Dade City Historical Self-Guided Tour.

“It will help build tourism by showing the history, and preserve it, as well.”

The tour can be accessed online and started at any stop. Each stop comes with its location, history — in both writing and videos — and some of the stops have narration.

Mason and Angell also are working on physical QR codes to be placed at each stop, allowing visitors to scan the logo to bring up the tour’s site.

The formulation of the tour started back in April 2022, when Mason and Angell approached author and historian Madonna Wise, who has written extensively about Dade City, including ‘A Haunted History of Pasco County’ and ‘Dade City (Images of America).’

Wise said they reviewed the tours completed by the Florida Humanities Council and requested it help them with the tour. However, the Council was unavailable, so they formed a tour committee and began the process.

The Wells Fargo Bank, at the corner of Seventh Street and Meridian Avenue, was the 1889 Bank of Pasco. It is stop No. 15 on the Dade City Historical Self-Guided Tour.

The committee includes Mason, Angell and Wise, but also Stephanie Black, director of the Pioneer Museum & Village; Melody Floyd, Dade City Chamber of Commerce who developed the Dade City Historic House tour; Wayne Sweat, longtime Pioneer Florida Volunteer and reenactor (he narrates the tour); Britton Janning, the tour’s tech guru who built the site, QR codes and more; Judge Lynn Tepper, retired circuit judge; Imani Asukile, diversity director at Pasco-Hernando State College; and, Eric Baker.

“I believe it far exceeds the tours done by the Humanities Council,” Wise said. “We tried very hard to tell the complete story with great diversity and human anecdotes.

“Our tour has 82 stops,” she added. “In many of the stops, we did comprehensive interviews — in other cases we discovered completely new history or corrected facts. The level of enthusiasm and support from the town has been phenomenal.

The Florida Army National Guard Armory on Live Oak Avenue was the 1955 National Guard Armory of Dade City. It is stop No. 14 on the Dade City Historical Self-Guided Tour.

“The goal of Mary Katherine and Margaret Angell was to provide a model for historic preservation. The group is intensely proud of the endeavor and we tried very hard to be inclusive of the research that had already taken place by historians.”

Mason said they researched other cities that have rich histories, as well as walking tours, hoping to “follow in their footsteps.”

But as the committee kept working “thousands of volunteer hours,” the tour kept growing. Especially once Wise, who did most of the research, was enthusiastically on board.

“Eighty-two stops is definitely large (laughs),” Mason said. “Madonna, she just kept adding, too. She was like, ‘What about this one and that one?!’ There’s just so much history that where do you stop? … She’s a true historian — it’s her passion and it was difficult for her to stop.”

“It is difficult to convey the level of volunteer time committed to this project,” Wise added. “Consulting has been extensive and (the) research is often new. Some of the history is not fun, but well-documented, especially on the tour now.”

On the Dade City Historical Self-Guided Tour, the Elevated Estates at The Edwinola, once a hotel, was founded in 1912. It is stop No. 28 on the tour.

Mason said while researching other historic tours of other cities, they found each town has its own bylaws of preserving its historical districts, including the buildings. Dade City, on the other hand, has no such laws or rules, so historical buildings have been modified, renovated or, in some cases, removed altogether.

“A lot of (building) facades have been changed over the years, maybe even torn down,” Mason said. “We would like to beautify and preserve them. Owners can do whatever they want to the buildings they purchased. Our hope is the tour shows that it’s worth preserving.”

As a shop owner herself, Mason also sees the benefits of the tour, from a business standpoint. Her hope is the tour brings more foot traffic downtown, but especially on the weekends, motivating the fellow storefront owners to extend business hours.

Then the rest will be history.

“I’m from Zephyrhills and didn’t want to come near Dade City (laughs) because of the 9-Mile Rivalry,” Mason said. “I’ve learned so much now and, of course, I’m fond of my building, but also the Wells Fargo Bank building — just learning how there was a robbery there with dynamite — so cool!

“But if you’re brand-new to the city, having the tour is incredible,” she added. “It makes me want to learn all the history. … (If) more people come to our town, maybe on Sundays, then we start to see businesses open on those days. We’re a mom-and-pop town, so bringing people out to see history, and shop, will be great to see, especially new people from the tour.

The Dade City Garden Club, next to Touchton Park, is stop No. 51 on the Dade City Historical Self-Guided Tour.

“And make taking the tour totally worth it.”

Dade City Historical Self-Guided Tour
Cost: Free, but donations are welcome to the 501(c)3
Where: 82 stops throughout the greater Dade City area
Details: A comprehensive and historically informative walking tour of the numerous historical sites and massive amount of history in Dade City. The city was incorporated in 1889. The tour also is dedicated to Dennis Alfonso, who, along with his wife, Nancy, are longtime Dade City lawyers. Dennis passed away earlier this year.
Event: There will be a tour launch party on Nov. 9 at 6 p.m., at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City, featuring speakers, readings, demonstrations and more.
For more information or to even start the tour, visit DadeCityHistory.org.

Published September 27, 2023

Last but not least, and perhaps a way to eat after getting through all 82 stops of the Dade City Historical Self-Guided Tour, there’s Steph’s Soul Food off Fifth Street.
The 1886 Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church, on Seventh Street, is stop No. 69 on the Dade City Historical Self-Guided Tour.
The 1966 Miss Polly Touchton Park, slated for a renovation in the near future, is stop No. 52 on the Dade City Historical Self-Guided Tour.

New space aims to ‘empower’ those seeking court’s help

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Having the courage to seek a protective order to keep an abuser away can be difficult enough, but it can be even worse when the conversation being held about the issue has to be done in a public place.

Giving people a private and safe space to pursue ways to reclaim their lives is the whole reason behind the “Empowerment Room,” which had its grand opening on Sept. 12 at the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center, at  38053 Live Oak Ave., in Dade City.

The ‘Empowerment Room,’ which had its grand opening on Sept. 12 at the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center, at 38053 Live Oak Ave., in Dade City, will provide a private and safe space for those pursuing ways to reclaim their lives. (Mike Camunas)

The opening of the room was celebrated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which welcomed judges, dignitaries and Dana Rutherford, a domestic violence survivor.

Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, clerk and comptroller for Pasco County, briefed the Pasco County Commission about the Empowerment Room and the event during the county board’s Sept. 19 meeting.

Alvarez-Sowles noted that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Then she told the board: “My office serves individuals who come in seeking an injunction against violence.

“We also serve customers coming in with other sensitive items, such as substance abuse, mental health, and exploitation of vulnerable adults.

“I’ve always felt concerned for customers coming in and having to talk about those kinds of items in our lobbies, where others can hear.

Linda Babb, Dana Rutherford, Kelly Sinn, Nikki Alvarez-Sowles and Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco joined in to cut the ribbon at the Empowerment Room, now open at the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center, in Dade City. (Courtesy of Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office)

“And, in situations with domestic violence, the individual coming into our office — the survivor is looking over their shoulder to see if someone is following them in.

“So, I wanted to have a safe place in the office for them to come, so in Dade City, we had a grand opening of the Empowerment Room, and I want to thank this board because you all supported that room being built.

“It will allow an individual to come into a secured room, where we will have a domestic violence advocate there, with Sunrise of Pasco.”

There’s also a little kids’ zone, where children can play, “while their parent can talk about some serious business and fill out the tremendous paperwork that needs to be done, in order for them to get to a better day.”

Alvarez-Sowles’ team also will be in there to help people who are dealing with issues involving mental health, substance abuse and vulnerable adults.

Nikki Alvarez-Sowles

“We have a lot of security wrapped around that room so that those in the room don’t have to worry,” she said.

The clerk and comptroller also gave a shout-out to county employees George Scheitlin, T.J. Pyche and Bob Amburgey, whom, she said, “did a fantastic job on that room.”

The room is part of a multi-year improvement project funded by Pasco County.

The design service cost roughly $5,000, prints for permitting cost $90 and the construction cost $189,050, according to the clerk’s office.

It appears many individuals could benefit from the Empowerment Room, based on records from the clerk’s civil department.

Those records show that between 2020 and 2023, there were:

Domestic Relations cases
Dating: 377
Domestic: 5,506
Repeat: 565
Sexual: 196
Stalking: 3,941

Mental health
Baker Act: 1,693
Marchman: 1,077
Treatment: 211

Guardianship
Exploitation against vulnerable adults: 34

Published September 27, 2023

Price increases for new West Zephyrhills Elementary

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The Pasco County School Board approved an agreement with Wannamacher Jensen Architects Inc., in May, with the company’s initial fee based on an estimated cost of $39 million for a project to essentially replace the existing West Zephyrhills Elementary School, at 37900 14th Ave., in Zephyrhills, with a new facility.

But, according to background materials for the school board’s Aug. 22 meeting, “there have subsequently been changes that have resulted in an increase in both the scope of work and in the overall square footage of the new building.”

As a result, the agenda materials add: “This has increased both their design and construction administration work significantly since their original proposal, not least of which is the impact of the new building location and the additional civil services required, which has resulted in an increase to the overall construction budget.”

That new overall construction budget is $51 million.

The changes have led to an increase in the architect’s original fee of $1,006,805 to a new fee of $3,804,240, according to the agenda packet.

The school board approved the change, as part of its consent agenda, without discussion.

Published September 13, 2023

Multi-use trail at Withlacoochee River Park now smoother

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A 1.7-mile trail in Withlacoochee River Park, 12449 Withlacoochee Blvd., Dade City, was recently improved due to deterioration of the preexisting trail and damage that was caused by tree roots. Park visitors now will be able to stroll or bicycle along a smoother path. (Mike Camunas)

Visitors to Withlacoochee River Park, 12449 Withlacoochee Blvd., in Dade City, will now be able to enjoy a smoother walk or bike ride in a portion of the park.

The Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department recently completed paving a section of a trail that meanders through the park.

About a mile of the paving project has been completed and the rest of the 1.7-mile project is expected to be done next year.

The project cost $47,050 for the one-mile section, and the remaining section will cost $47,800. 

The trail was deteriorating because of damage from a pre-existing trail and tree roots.

The improved trail will offer a better experience for park visitors.

Withlacoochee River Park is 406 acres of forested park with a river, kayaking and boarding, trails, fishing, wildlife, RV parking and observation tower.

The park also holds several events annually, such as the Bay Area Renaissance Festival for several weeks in the spring.

Published September 13, 2023

Zephyrhills’ park renamed to honor Ellis Harrold

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Lincoln Heights Park, located on Lincoln Avenue, east of Airport Road in Zephyrhills, will be known as the Ellis Harrold Neighborhood Park, based on a Zephyrhills City Council’s Aug. 28 vote. A special city advisory board voted on Aug. 15 to recommend renaming the park to honor the first African American hired by the City, Ellis Harrold, who would work for the City for 34 years. (Mike Camunas)

The City of Zephyrhills City Council unanimously approved the renaming of Lincoln Heights Park in Zephyrhills to honor the city’s first African American employee.

Council members Jodi Wilkeson, Lance Smith, Ken Burgess, Steven Spina and Charles Proctor voted 5-0 on Aug. 28 to rename it the Ellis Harrold Neighborhood Park.

A special advisory board was formed by the City Council on June 12 to look into renaming Lincoln Heights Park, which sits between homes on Lincoln Avenue, just east of Airport Road. Brought forth from a resolution by the newly elected Spina (Seat 2), the renaming was a way to honor Ellis, the city’s first African American employee, who worked for the municipality for 34 years.

The advisory board unanimously recommended the renaming on Aug. 15.

Harrold has resided in Zephyrhills since 1957 and was a resident of the Lincoln Heights neighborhood. He was hired by the City in 1962.

The park currently has no signage, but there will be a sign added with the new name. That is planned to happen after the city unveils its new Zephyrhills-wide signage to accompany the municipality’s rebranding efforts that are still under development.

The city manager’s office also said there will most likely be a small unveiling ceremony featuring Harrold and his family and members of the community at a date to be announced later.

Published September 06, 2023

Academy at the Farm plans to launch high school

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The Pasco County School Board has approved an amendment to Academy at the Farm’s charter contract that allows the school to begin phasing in a high school program, starting in 2025-2026.

The school has been granted its request to add ninth grade, in the 2025-2026 school year, and to add one grade level each year,  to phase in grades nine through 12, according to materials in the Pasco County School Board’s Aug. 22 agenda packet.

The charter school, at 9500 Alex Lange Way in Dade City, is operating under a 15-year renewal contract amendment adopted by the Pasco school board on Aug. 1, 2013.

Academy at the Farm, at 9500 Alex Lange Way, currently serves kindergarten through eighth grade, but plans to phase in a high school beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. (File)

In the 2025-2026 academic year, the school plans to increase its total student enrollment from 700 students to 876 students.

Under its high-performing status, Academy at the Farm intends to fully implement a high school campus serving grades nine through 12 in 2028-2029, the background materials say.

Its anticipated enrollment is:

  • 876 students in grades kindergarten through nine, in 2025-2026
  • 976 students in grades kindergarten through 10, in 2026-2027
  • 1,076 students in grades kindergarten through 11, in 2027-2028
  • 1,176 students in grades kindergarten through 12, in 2028-2029.

The school board approved the action as part of its consent agenda. Items on the consent agenda are approved in a single vote, without comment, unless someone pulls an item from that agenda for discussion.

About Academy at the Farm
Where: 9500 Alex Lange Way, Dade City
Details: Academy at the Farm is a K-8 charter school that intends to phase in high school, beginning in 2025-2026. The school focuses heavily on higher education, but also has several agricultural aspects, such as a working farm, livestock, crops and more. Any parent can apply for their child or children to attend Academy at the Farm; however, there is a lottery list that resets every March, and it has a long waiting list.
Info: Visit AcademyAtTheFarm.com.

Published August 30, 2023

Advisory board recommends renaming Zephyrhills park

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A special city advisory board unanimously approved the recommendation of renaming of Lincoln Heights Park in Zephyrhills to honor the city’s first African American employee.

The advisory board held a special meeting on Aug. 15 to consider the issue.

The name of Lincoln Heights Park, located on Lincoln Avenue, east of Airport Road in Zephyrhills, soon could be Ellis Harrold Neighborhood Park. An advisory board voted for the renaming on Aug. 15 and the Zephyrhills City Council is scheduled to vote on that recommendation at its Aug. 28 meeting. The name change has been suggested as a way to honor Harrold, who was the city’s first African American employee. He worked for the city for 34 years. (Mike Camunas)

The group was made up of Mayor Melonie Monson, Dave Walters, Eileen Westerman, Beth Aker, Randy Stovall, Tracy Mahon and Tracy Sullivan.

City Manager Billy Poe also was in attendance.

The board voted 4-0 to recommend the renaming of the park to Ellis Harrold Neighborhood Park. (Three advisory board members were absent).

Poe said the resolution will be presented to the City Council for approval at its Aug. 28 meeting.

During the June 12 City Council meeting, the board was formed to look into renaming Lincoln Heights Park, which sits between homes on Lincoln Avenue, just east of Airport Road. The action was spurred by a resolution brought forth by newly elected Seat 2 City Councilman Steve Spina.

The park’s renaming is the city’s way to honor Harrold, who was hired by the city in 1962 and worked there for 34 years. Harrold has resided in Zephyrhills since 1957 and was a resident of the Lincoln Heights neighborhood.

The city previously honored Harrold in a proclamation on Feb. 27.

That proclamation noted Harrold “broke barriers that existed at the time and opened doors for other African Americans to work for the City of Zephyrhills.”

According to the board, and the town charter, there is criteria to rename a park, with this small park falling under the consideration of “a person, living or deceased, that has made a significant contribution to the city, either monetarily or through outstanding civic service.”

Board members enthusiastically agreed it was a worthy renaming and the park “was in need of not only a rebranding” but also of some improvements.

The park includes a pavilion, picnic tables, basketball court and playground.

Poe said the park needs some minor fixes, but nothing major or urgent.

He also noted the park currently has no signage, but a sign will be added with the park’s new name.

But the city manager also noted that new signage will come after the city unveils its new town-wide signage, as part of Zephyrhills’ rebranding efforts, which remain under development.

Poe said it’s likely that at some point there will be a small ceremony featuring Harrold and his family, following the city commission’s final action on the park’s renaming.

Published August 23, 2023

Main Street Zephyrhills welcomes a new director

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Antwon Gildon is up in everybody’s business.

He’ll set foot in every single business on Main Street, or Fifth Avenue, in downtown Zephyrhills.

“I don’t feel like everyone knows Antwon, I feel Antwon has gotten to know everyone, ” said Gildon, who was appointed recently as the director and event coordinator for Main Street Zephyrhills.

He spends as much time as he can in Zephyrhills’ downtown district.

“Every time I look down (Main Street),” he added, “it looks different, so one thing can change everything here. One shop, one restaurant can change it all. 

Antwon Gildon, the director and event coordinator of Main Street Zephyrhills, was named to that post in June, but had already been working in the position for some time. He also was already a member of the 501(c)(3) organization’s board of directors. In his leadership role, Gildon reaches out to local businesses, vendors and even individuals to help the city’s downtown district thrive and survive. (Mike Camunas)

“We’re a blank canvas and it’s exciting.”

Gildon served on the board of directors of the 501(c)(3) organization for three years before he was appointed director of the organization in June. During his tenure, there have been three other directors, but his experience on the board has given him a close view of the position and he’s ready to hit the ground running.

“I read an article in (The Laker/Lutz News) about the director at the time, Paxton (McCullough) and I thought, ‘Hey, you know what? I can help with whatever they’re trying to do,” Gildon recalled. “I didn’t know what Main Street was, didn’t know about downtown — I had passed through it, but didn’t know a thing about it, so I reached out to help, and they told me to come on down.

“When I joined,” he added, “I learned a lot about Main Street and that when your city has one, it’s a big benefit. That’s what led me to going to the board to help.”

Hitting the pavement
Originally from Mississippi, Gildon moved to Wesley Chapel more than 15 years ago. During that time, he has grown to love Pasco County, and Zephyrhills, in particular.

“I started coming out to Zephyrhills on the reg, and thought,” Gildon said, “‘Wow. There’s something up here that no one knows about, there’s all these restaurants and businesses that no one knows about,’ and back then, there were only so many choices.

“Right now,” he added, “we’re in a position where the city is growing. No city can grow if the downtown district is not reflecting that growth, but in Zephyrhills, you’ve had all these things built outside the (the downtown district), so now the focus needs to be on downtown.

“I believe in the city — that’s what attracted me to it.”

So did the Main Street concept. 

Main Street Zephyrhills bases its plans and concepts on that of Main Street America, and the state’s Main Street program. But since every small town is unique, it’s up to Zephyrhills’ board to shape, mold or even transform its downtown district in its own way.

Main Street Zephyrhills emphasizes four main concepts: Economic vitality, design, organization and promotion. Each concept has its own committee.

Gildon headed the economic vitality committee before he was promoted to the director’s role. That committee seeks to address the economics of downtown through market research and business incentives.

Main Street, or Fifth Avenue, in Historic Downtown Zephyrhills, is the home of many local businesses, the Woman’s Club of Zephyrhills and The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce. It also is the site of the annual Founder’s Day Parade and numerous street vendor events throughout the year. (Mike Camunas)

The design committee focuses on arts-related public improvements — such as the city’s mural or park improvements or additions. The organization committee handles the behind-the-scenes work that keeps Main Street running, such as fundraisers and membership renewals; and the promotion committee works on Main Street Zephyrhills’ public image, ranging from community events to media promotions.

Main Street Zephyrhills also works with individual businesses and vendors to help put the word out about upcoming special events, to promote other activities and shares profiles and links on its website.

“How do I connect the residents, in town, in the district and outside of town, to the businesses in this district?” he said. “We have to figure out what the town wants, so they support it. We listen to the businesses and work with them to get the foot traffic they want and need.”

So far, Gildon’s main focus is on figuring out ways to increase foot traffic on Main Street — without the aid of a downtown-wide event. Street events, such as the monthly market every third Saturday, will continue to be held.

Main Street also is getting more involved with events, such as Summer Fest and Founder’s Day. Being a part of those events — which they haven’t in the past — will help in promoting downtown, Gildon said, adding “We’re not just event-focused, and I want people to see we’re more than just events. We can’t just spend all our time on the event side when we have so much more to promote downtown.”

Main Street business owners agree.

“The passion he has for Main Street is exciting because you don’t always see it, but you want to see it, especially as a business owner on Main Street,” said Shaun Sikat, owner of Winners on Main and Take Solace Studios. “Since coming in as director, he’s jumping into everyone’s business and it’s something we need though. He works to get people down here, and the more people down here is a win for everyone.”

Change of direction
Gildon expects to buck the trend of a rotating door for Main Street directors.

He wants his approach to the job to show his evident devotion. 

The highlighted area on the map shows the downtown district of Zephyrhills. (Courtesy of Antwon Gildon)

“His vision, leadership and affable, outgoing personality will be instrumental in advancing the city’s mission for Main Street and our downtown area,” Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe said in a statement. “We look forward to the positive impact he will make on downtown.”

“He’s looking out for the local business, the little guy,” added Bella Rivera, whose parents own Seasons Farm Stand. “He helps my parents, and the business, by making sure we’re promoted as a downtown Zephyrhills business. Since we’re first-time business owners, that’s great.”

Gildon doesn’t take all the credit.

He points to the contributions of Linda Kerns, who is Main Street’s president and to members of the board. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why everyone in downtown Zephyrhills not only seems to know Gildon, but love him, too.

“There’s not been focus on the residents because Main Street is not just a city thing — it’s a district thing,” Gildon said. “It’s the businesses and the residents that reside in the downtown district.

“I’m not an outsider (to Main Street), though not that you always need that fresh blood, just the fact I’ve seen a lot of things that went through the directors and the area and some exciting things are going to happen.”

Main Street Zephyrhills
Where: 5344 Ninth St., Suite 105, in Zephyrhills
Details: The 501(c)(3) organization, using The Main Street Approach™, offers community-based revitalization initiatives with a practical, adaptable framework for downtown transformation. It creates a deliberate path to revitalizing and strengthening a downtown through four points: Economic vitality, design, organization and promotion. Main Street members and benefactors receive advance notice of special events, promotions and other activities. They also can promote their establishments through profiles and links on Main Street’s website.
Info: Email Antwon Gildon at , call 813-780-1414, or visit MainStreetZephyrhills.org.

Published August 16, 2023