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No easy fix for local traffic jams

December 16, 2015 By Kathy Steele

An elevated toll road flying over U.S. 41 could split the community and shut down some longstanding Land O’ Lakes businesses, according to area business owners who spoke at a public hearing about redesigning the intersection at State Road 54 and U.S. 41.

Residents studied maps, and asked questions of state highway representatives, at a public hearing on ways to ease traffic congestion at State Road 54 and U.S. 41. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photos) — Residents studied maps, and asked questions of state highway representatives, at a public hearing on ways to ease traffic congestion at State Road 54 and U.S. 41.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)

They told representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation that a “no build” option is the best choice, at least for now. Several suggested that a by-pass to direct traffic around the intersection would work better than an elevated State Road 54.

More than 100 people took part in the public hearing on Dec. 10 at the Myrtle Lake Baptist Church, off State Road 54.

Those attending could see exhibits of proposed road construction, could watch a video and could offer public comment.

“We are not against development, but development should not be done for one group at the expense of so many others,” said Elayne Bassinger, president of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

Bassinger renewed an earlier request for the state transportation department to schedule workshops to permit a more in-depth discussion of the issues for residents and business owners.

While some favor a no-build option, others want solutions for an intersection that often is described as being “a nightmare.”

About 99,000 vehicles per day cruise through the intersection, according to state data. By 2040, state highway officials predict that to more than double — with an estimated daily count of 208,000 vehicles.

John Spear moved into a subdivision off State Road 54 in 2010.

He said he and his wife often sit in traffic for five minutes or more.

When they first arrived in Land O’ Lakes, he said, “Traffic used to be light. Now the lanes are full. I’m appreciative of something like this being done. It looks like a lot of thought has gone into this.”

Kirk Bogen, with the Florida Department of Transportation, addressed more than 100 people at a public hearing, at Myrtle Lake Baptist Church.

Stephen Riddell, a Canadian snowbird, recently returned from Ontario. “In the last six months traffic has increased tremendously,” he said. “I think improvements are needed. I don’t know which alternative yet.”

But, some think an elevated roadway would essentially be a wall, separating Land O’ Lakes and Lutz.

They said the purpose of the new interchange seemed to offer more benefits to motorists from other counties, including Pinellas.

“The Land O’ Lakes community deserves to be more than a high-speed avenue carrying cars east and west through our community,” said Ann Childers. “No build, that’s the only thing I could vote for as a resident in good conscience.”

The state department of transportation is conducting a study to evaluate the project before settling on the design and type of improvements for the intersection. The completion date for the study is spring 2016.

About $3.4 million is available for design work. However, no money is budgeted to purchase rights of way, or for construction.

Improvements to the intersection are among Pasco County’s 2015 list of top 10 traffic priorities.

Two construction alternatives would elevate State Road 54 over U.S. 41, and both would have toll lanes. A no-build option is possible, too.

One proposal for the State Road 54 flyover would cost about $160 million. That would require about 70 acres in rights of way. About 24 businesses could be relocated based on loss of property, according to state transportation data.

The new intersection would have four through lanes on U.S. 41 in each direction, two through lanes at-grade and two elevated lanes on State Road 54.

The more expensive alternative would cost about $180 million, and would require about 30 acres in rights of way. No additional lanes would be added to U.S. 41, and turn lanes would not change. There would be two through lanes at-grade and two elevated through lanes, again on State Road 54.

Under this option, six businesses could potentially be relocated including Russell Adams Realty, MCOR Automotive, Pinch a Penny, Hungry Howie’s Pizza, McDonald’s, 7-Eleven and CVS Pharmacy.

Keystone Community Church also could be in the pathway of construction.

The hearing was intended to gather input from the public, and that will be considered before a decision is made, said Kirk Bogen, environmental management engineer for FDOT in District Seven.

“They are both viable alternatives,” he said. “We’re coordinating with county planners.”

Bogen said the no-build alternative also remains an option.

Meanwhile, property owners say they are in limbo.

“It’s the waiting game until they decide,” said Russell Adams, owner of Russell Adams Realty on U.S. 41. “You can’t build more, and it’s hard to sell.”

Adams said he can see that something has to be done, but said poor planning has been the problem.

Thousands of homes in new subdivisions have been approved over the years, and he said, “They know when you plan homes, you’ll have 2.5 cars (per home).”

Trinna Van Nostrand’s family has owned a bar on U.S. 41 since the mid-1970s. It was known as Sam’s Place when her father operated it, and mostly recently as Rock Harley Saloon.

Like many business owners, Van Nostrand said the previous widening of U.S. 41 chopped off part of her property. The bar now sits a few feet off the road.

The new road project could chop off even more land.

“If they are going to take my building, I don’t want to spend a lot of money on it,” she said. “I’m fortunate to have enough in the back to move back, but being in limbo, I can’t do anything.”

Published December 16, 2015

Wanted: More instruments to strike up the band

December 9, 2015 By B.C. Manion

When Pine View Middle School puts on a concert, there’s a good chance that some of the instruments it’s using are on loan from other schools.

And, when students want to practice at home, they often have to take turns checking out the instruments.

In one way, it’s a good problem: More students are enrolling in the school’s music program.

In another, it’s not so good. Students don’t always have access to instruments, losing time they could use to improve their skills.

Volunteer Sue Castellano and teacher Amarilys Barbosa pose with some old instruments in front of Pine View Middle School’s marching band uniforms. On the plus side, the school is experiencing a surge of enrollment in its music program. On the down side, it needs more instruments and will soon need additional marching band uniforms. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — Volunteer Sue Castellano and teacher Amarilys Barbosa pose with some old instruments in front of Pine View Middle School’s marching band uniforms. On the plus side, the school is experiencing a surge of enrollment in its music program. On the down side, it needs more instruments and will soon need additional marching band uniforms.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

Amarilys Barbosa, who teaches band and chorus, and Sue Castellano, a devoted grandparent volunteer, are on a quest to drum up community support for the band.

There are different ways the community can help, they said.

One way would be for people who have instruments they are no longer using to donate them to the school’s band program.

People who took band or music lessons years ago may have instruments they no longer use, Barbosa said.

There are professional musicians, too, who may be able to part with some of the instruments they used when they were just starting out, she said.

Instruments of all types are welcome, the band director said. “They’ll certainly go to a good home.”

While happy to accept any donated instrument, the band’s greatest needs are for tubas and French horns.

During a recent concert at The Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, the school had to borrow a tuba from Wesley Chapel High School, she said. “There are eight tuba players, but only seven tubas.”

There’s a shortage of French horns, too. “My other shortage is French horns. We had to borrow three from other schools,” Barbosa said.

In some cases, the school has an instrument, but no case, so students can’t borrow those instruments.

Enrollment gains triggered the increased need for instruments.

Some instruments at Pine View Middle are beyond repair. They’re stored in a room that students have dubbed the ‘instrument graveyard’ and are used for parts.

The enrollment increases are a result of Pine View Middle’s effort to be designated as an IB Middle Years Programme.

“The very, very cool thing about this program is that now all of the so-called elective classes, they are now becoming core classes,” Barbosa said. “The idea is to expose them to a world-class education.”

Last year, her largest band was 45 students.

“This year, I’m double that,” she said.

There are 240 students enrolled in the music department, including beginning, intermediate and advanced band, and chorus.

And, the program will continue to grow.

“Within the next couple of years, they’re going to make a transition in which every single student is going to be required to take a performing arts class,” she said. “Currently, we only have three that we offer, either band, chorus or drama.”

Beyond meeting basic needs, Barbosa would like to give her band students a chance to learn additional instruments.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have the instruments to loan out to them,” she said.

Uniforms are going to become another issue, Barbosa said.

As the band continues to grow, it won’t have enough marching band uniforms — and it’s unlikely they’ll be able to find any that match because the current uniforms are several years old, she said.

As it is now, Castellano spends countless hours helping to keep the band looking sharp. She takes hems out and puts them in. She sews on new buttons, and so forth.

Besides asking for instruments, planning efforts are underway for “Night Under the Stars,” a fundraising event that will take place on March 12 at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center.

The event will feature musical performances by Pine View students, but also will include outside silent auctions.

Gift baskets — containing items that have been donated by family, friends and businesses — will be auctioned to help raise money to meet the band’s needs. And, tickets will be sold to the event, although the admission price has not yet been set.

While the shortage of instruments is challenging, both Castellano and Barbosa are excited about getting more students involved with music.

“You may have a lot of children that don’t have anything that they can call their own,” said Castellano, whose 13-year-old grandson, Micahel McBride, plays alto saxophone.

“Their parents can’t afford to put them in sports. But, they can come into the music department at the school, and they can learn an instrument,” Castellano added, noting band members can feel a sense of accomplishment that comes from being able to play an instrument.

Barbosa is passionate about the value of music.

“I think music is a vital, vital part of our culture and our community,” Barbosa said. “There’s a reason why it’s lasted through the ages. There’s a reason why it continues to grow and expand.

“Music is that universal language,” Barbosa said.

What: Traditions on The Green, a family event featuring pancakes with Santa, children’s activities and concerts on the green, including a performance by Pine View Middle School’s band.
Where: Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes.
When: 9 a.m. until noon on Dec. 12
Who: The public is welcome
How much: Admission is free

Want to help? If you have instruments you would like to donate or want to help Pine View Middle School’s band in other ways, contact Amarilys Barbosa at the school, (813) 794-4800.

Published December 9, 2015

Overpass at State Road 54 and U.S. 41?

December 2, 2015 By Kathy Steele

The Florida Department of Transportation is hosting a meeting to gather public comments on a proposed overpass at the intersection of U.S. 41 and State Road 54.

The event, which includes an open house and formal presentation, will be on Dec. 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Myrtle Lake Baptist Church, at 2017 Riegler Road in Land O’ Lakes.

The presentation will be made at 6:30 p.m. The state is seeking public comment on two recommended options to address traffic problems at the intersection.

Traffic zips and rumbles through the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41. A proposal to improve the intersection could affect area businesses including Tibbetts Lumber Co., seen in the left background. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo) — Traffic zips and rumbles through the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41. A proposal to improve the intersection could affect area businesses including Tibbetts Lumber Co., seen in the left background.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

Both options would elevate State Road 54 over U.S. 41, and would require relocating some businesses and purchasing land for the project.

Businesses that could be in the path of the roadwork include Tibbetts Lumber Co., the CVS pharmacy, MCOR Automotive, a discount mattress shop, and Pinch A Penny patio and pool supply shop.

The state department of transportation is conducting a study to evaluate the project before settling on the design and type of improvements for the intersection. The study’s completion date is spring 2016.

Area business owners and the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce had hoped for additional opportunities to discuss the matter.

On Oct. 30, the chamber sent a letter to the state agency requesting a public workshop. Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore also brought up the request at a Nov. 12 meeting of the county’s Metropolitan Planning Organization.

State transportation officials were at that meeting to present the 2015 priority list for county road projects.

However, they said the public hearing is the only meeting on the schedule.

“Sometimes with workshops you have more time to discuss an issue than at a public hearing,” said Elayne Bassinger, president of the Central Pasco Chamber. And, area business owners, she said, “want an opportunity to speak.”

No one doubts that improvements are needed at the heavily travelled intersection.

According to the state transportation department, the intersection’s crash rate is higher than the state average.

About 99,000 vehicles per day travel through the intersection, but by 2040, state highway officials predict an estimated 208,000 vehicles per day.

Both highways are part of the county’s evacuation route, and they also are regional roadways for trucks that deliver goods to and from Tampa International Airport, Port Tampa Bay and Port Manatee.

One alternative would cost about $160 million in total, including about $91 million for more than 70 acres of rights of way. More than 40 parcels, including existing businesses at the intersection, would be affected. About 24 businesses could be relocated, according to state transportation data.

The new interchange would provide four through lanes on U.S. 41 in each direction, two through lanes at-grade and two elevated lanes on State Road 54.

The other alternative would cost about $180 million in total, including about $50 million for nearly 30 acres of rights of way. About 20 parcels would be involved, but only six businesses would be relocated, according to state data.

Under this option, no additional lanes would be added to U.S. 41, and turn lanes would not change. There would be two through lanes at-grade and two elevated through lanes on State Road 54.

Draft documents describing the project are available to the public through Dec. 21 at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, at 2818 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. They also can be viewed at the state transportation department’s District Seven office at 11201 N. McKinley Drive in Tampa.

Statements, and exhibits and oral comments, will be accepted at the hearing. Also, all exhibits or statements must be postmarked or emailed no later than Dec. 21 to be part of the official public hearing record. A court reporter also will be available at the hearing for one-on-one comments.

Send statements to Kirk Bogen, Environmental Management Engineer, FDOT, District Seven, 11201 N. McKinley Drive MS 7-500, Tampa, FL 33621-6456.

For information, contact Stephanie Pierce, FDOT project manager, at (813) 975-6445 or .

Published December 2, 2015

Lutz Arts & Crafts Show canceled

November 25, 2015 By B.C. Manion

The GFWC Lutz Arts & Crafts Festival — an event that’s attracted around 30,000 people in recent years — has been canceled because of a possible sinkhole in a road at Lake Park.

Signs on Van Dyke Road and North Dale Mabry Highway let people know that the show has been canceled, and news releases have been sent out to help spread the word.

“Hillsborough County Park Rangers have discovered a sinkhole which has recently opened on the main ingress/egress roadway into the park, and due to safety concerns and liability issues, the county has deemed the road unusable until remedial measures can be taken,” according to a news release from the woman’s club.

The GFWC Lutz Arts & Crafts Festival has been canceled because of a possible sinkhole in Lake Park. This is the first time in more than three decades that the show won’t go on. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — The GFWC Lutz Arts & Crafts Festival has been canceled because of a possible sinkhole in Lake Park. This is the first time in more than three decades that the show won’t go on.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

The problem with the road could not be fixed in time for the 36th annual show, scheduled for Dec. 5 and Dec. 6, said Shirley Simmons, the art show’s co-director.

“We’re all disappointed,” Simmons said.

The woman’s club did not find out about the problem until it was too late to find an alternative venue that was large enough to accommodate the show, Simmons said.

So, for the first time in more than three decades, the show won’t go on.

The popular event has been a draw for vendors from all over the country, and has been the largest annual moneymaker for the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.

“It probably affected about 300 vendors,” Simmons said. “I had room for one photographer – that was it.”

The show has been a popular stop for vendors who travel about the South to sell their wares and art works at shows and festivals, Simmons said.

For some of them, it’s their best show of the year, she said.

The two-day event also has been a big draw for people who enjoy buying unique holiday gifts.

“It’s always such a wonderful community event,” Simmons said. “It gets everybody into the Christmas spirit.”

Besides giving vendors a quality venue and shoppers a fun place to pick up presents, the show has generated money to help scores of local organizations.

The lack of the revenue will decrease the woman’s club’s ability to help other organizations, causing a ripple effect that will touch many lives.

Published November 25, 2015

Commuter trains coming soon?

November 18, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Nearly 80,000 Pasco County residents commute daily to jobs in neighboring counties, clogging the highways north and south with cars. But, CSX Florida could be on board to ease those traffic jams with a future commuter rail line chugging through the heart of Land O’ Lakes.

CSX officials are putting 96 miles of railroad tracks, from two separate rail lines, on the market. The tracks are lightly used for hauling freight, but could become available for passenger service.

One line would link downtown St. Petersburg with downtown Clearwater, head to Oldsmar, the Tampa International Airport and terminate in Ybor City.

The second line would start at the University of South Florida, follow along U.S. 41 through Land O’ Lakes, and end near Brooksville in Hernando County.

These railroad tracks, parallel to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes, could become part of a commuter rail line to ease traffic jams in the region. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — These railroad tracks, parallel to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes, could become part of a commuter rail line to ease traffic jams in the region.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Since the 1990s, efforts to start some type of commuter or light rail service have gone nowhere. But, with CSX in play as a potential partner in a regional agreement, supporters say this time could be different.

The Florida Department of Transportation could play a major role in the project in partnership with CSX.

“I think there is momentum,” said James Edwards, Pasco County’s transportation manager.

The vision for a regional commuter line operating in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties is gaining traction from a regional advisory group, the Tampa Bay Management Area Leadership Group (TMA).

The organization is composed of representatives of the Metropolitan Planning Organizations from all three Tampa Bay counties.

On Nov. 12, Pasco County MPO got a briefing on the proposal. A few days earlier, Bob O’Malley, vice president of CSX Florida, had made a presentation to TMA.

A commuter rail system should not be confused with light rail. Commuter trains generally operate in more suburban areas with heavier train cars at higher speeds and more passenger volume than light rail. Light rail is better able to navigate urban streets with lighter-weight cars, quicker starts and stops, and fewer passengers.

Still, the proposal is preliminary. There are many unanswered questions — including costs, funding sources, the role of the MPOs, and who would operate the rail system.

Edwards said he hoped to bring some of those answers back to the Pasco MPO at its Dec. 10 meeting.

One model for Tampa Bay would be the Sunrail, a commuter system operating in the Orlando area.

CSX agreed to sell 61 miles of tracks for Sunrail. Total cost estimates were about $1 billion including land costs, track upgrades, rail car purchases and station construction. About 30 miles are operating now between Orlando and Winter Park. Another 30 miles is planned into Osceola County as well as a link to Orlando International Airport.

“We’re kind of mimicking their approach to this, but it is going to take some effort,” Edwards said.

The county’s high growth area now is centered along State Road 54 and State Road 56 where the Tampa Premium Outlets recently opened.

But, the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41 also is set to boom as more master-planned communities, retail, hotel and offices are either under construction or ready to turn dirt.

Bexley Ranch, off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes, is a prime example of what is to come, said Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano.

The property, recently divided into Bexley North and Bexley South, falls north and south of Tower Road. It extends east to Suncoast Parkway and the CSX corridor.

As much as 1 million square feet of offices could be built there, Mariano said.

“Try to imagine if we put a rail stop there. It would be a huge economic boon if you look at that area,” he said.

Published November 18, 2015

This coach is something special

November 11, 2015 By B.C. Manion

When Vicky King took her coaching job at Land O’ Lakes High School in the mid-1980s, it came with the duty of coaching athletes with special needs.

She embraced the role.

As time went on, she found herself becoming more and more involved.

Land O’ Lakes High School coach Vicky King is savoring the moment during the opening ceremonies at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. King recently was named Special Olympics Florida Coach of the Year. (Photos courtesy Pasco County Schools/Andy Dunn) — Land O’ Lakes High School coach Vicky King is savoring the moment during the opening ceremonies at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. King recently was named Special Olympics Florida Coach of the Year.
(Photos courtesy Pasco County Schools/Andy Dunn)

Her dedication — along with the efforts of the athletes she coaches — led to the selection of the Land O’ Lakes unified soccer team to represent Team U.S.A. at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, which yielded a bronze medal when the team defeated China, 2-1.

The team competed in a division that has seven athletes on each side of the ball. It is a unified team, which pairs athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. Special Olympics athletes play alongside partners, who are there to provide support and help.

While members of the Land O’ Lakes came home clutching bronze medals, King, herself was in the spotlight on Sept. 26 when she was named the Florida Special Olympics Coach of the Year during a gala at Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando.

Sherry Wheelock, president and CEO of Special Olympics Florida, said King was singled out for the award because of her passion for athletes, both with and without disabilities.

“She’s been a driving force for the success of Special Olympics Florida unified sports in Pasco County, but she’s also provided and trained more than 50 other Special Olympics soccer coaches throughout the state,” Wheelock said.

“She’s also been responsible for introducing new schools to this unified competition format,” she added.

King also coaches a traditional team at her school.

She treats all athletes the same, Wheelock said. “She has high expectations for all of the athletes to perform at their top level.”

Lisa Eckel, whose daughter, Haley plays on King’s team, is delighted about King’s recognition.

“I think it’s a well-deserved honor. It couldn’t have been awarded to anyone better,” Eckel said.

“She (King) spends lots of time and effort with all of the kids in the community and in the school, and she just brings out the best in all of them,” Eckel said.

The Land O’ Lakes Special Olympics unified soccer team pose with their coach, Vicky King, and with the bronze medals they won at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. The team defeated China, 2-1.

“My daughter (a partner on the team) has been super fortunate to have these past three years with her (King), on and off, the soccer field.

Eckel traveled with her husband, her other daughter and her sister-in-law out to L.A., to attend the opening ceremonies and to watch the games.

“It was amazing. You can equate it to what we watch on TV for the Olympics,” Eckel said.

She was impressed by the camaraderie she witnessed between the teams from different countries, and was excited to hear the roar of cheers and applause for Team U.S.A. when the athletes walked out, she said.

The Land O’ Lakes team took part in an event that featured athletes from 170 nations competing for international medals. The games included 21 Olympic-style sports.

Getting to those games took a year of preparation and fundraising, with King playing a pivotal role in both.

“It was definitely a year of a lot of training, fundraising, spreading the word about Special Olympics, those kinds of things,” she said.

“We raised about $42,000,” King said. “It was hard work.”

But, it was rewarding in more ways than one, she said.

“We met new people through the fundraising,” she said. “The community really stepped up and helped us.”

When the team left for the games, there was a big send-off at Land O’ Lakes High.

“The day that we left was a year to the day that we actually found out that we were going,” King said.

“We trained all year. During the summer, we trained three days a week for two hours, from the end of school until we left in July.

“They (team members) spent practically the whole summer together. They got closer and closer the more that we were together. The bonds became stronger,” King said.

The experiences were equally enriching for both the Special Olympics athletes and their unified partners, King said.

“They both did things they never have experienced before,” she said.

“For everyone, it was being away from home for two complete weeks and living with people you hadn’t lived with,” she said.

They also were living on a schedule beyond their control.

They would rise at 4 a.m., have breakfast at 5 a.m. and board buses at assigned times. They also had to make scheduled appearances, King said.

It was busy, but exciting, too.

The team and three coaches went to Disney Studios and rode through Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

They went to a four-day training camp in Riverside before arriving in L.A., and while in Riverside, they marched in a parade, King said.

The players were treated like celebrities.

People who didn’t know them, wanted to pose for photos with them, King said. They wanted to meet the athletes that were representing Team U.S.A.

“Young kids wanted balls signed, shirts signed,” King said.

Being part of the World Games and winning the bronze medal were exciting experiences, King said.

But, she added: “The biggest reward was to see the accomplishments of the athletes, have them gain confidence in themselves, self-esteem, being able to travel, meet other people, make lifelong friendships,” she said.

No doubt the World Games were a highlight in King’s coaching experience, but she also enjoys the day-to-day work that she does.

She said she coaches to win, but also teaches other things along the way, such as sportsmanship, fair play and rules of the game.

Published November 11, 2015

Opening day a hit

November 4, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Shoppers flock to Tampa Premium Outlets

Margie Hamman was one of the earliest birds to land at the Tampa Premium Outlets.

Almost too early.

Her 5:30 a.m. arrival at the fog-shrouded parking lot, off State Road 56, surprised one parking lot attendant who said she should come back later.

After being first in line at Coach, Margie Hamman of Homosassa makes her way through the crowd en route to Gap at the grand opening of Tampa Premium Outlets. (Fred Bellet/Photos) — After being first in line at Coach, Margie Hamman of Homosassa makes her way through the crowd en route to Gap at the grand opening of Tampa Premium Outlets.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

As she began driving off, a man “in a suit and tie” flagged her down and ushered her back to the parking lot, she said.

She was rewarded for early arrival when she came away with a bag full of coveted handbags and the bragging right of being the first customer inside the Coach store when the mall opened at 10 a.m.

She got a steal for her 10 designer purses, and then she moved on over to Gap.

“I’ll be making a lot of trips to my car,” said Hamman, who drove from Homosassa to her daughter’s home in Odessa the night before. “I’m doing my Christmas shopping.”

She was among thousands who thronged the walkways on Oct. 29, the opening day for the highly anticipated outlet mall developed by Simon Property Group.

Hamman expects to be back, again and again.

The Ellenton Premium Outlets (also a Simon mall) is no longer her go-to destination, especially when she has a daughter living so close to Tampa Premium Outlets.

Fountains shoot water into the air as the Market Hall food court towers over the Lagoon Court at the Tampa Premium Outlets.

Like Hamman, there are others who will forego outlet malls in Ellenton and Orlando to jingle cash registers in Pasco County instead.

The outlet mall will be an economic shot in the arm, Pasco County Commissioner Chairman Ted Schrader, said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“We know it’s going to be a very big success, building on this momentum,” he said. “We are so looking forward to shoppers spending so much time in Pasco, maybe looking around, staying and living here.”

About 800 people gained full and part-time jobs at the outlet mall, and local labor hired about 500 people to help build it.

The outlet mall adds cache to the Tampa Bay region and will help boost tourism, said Ed Caum, Pasco’s tourism manager.

Visitors to the area can be expected to spend their money in more than one county and at more than one venue, he said.

“It will have a regional influence,” said Caum. “People will fly in to Tampa International Airport. They may stay in Clearwater, but eat at Ulele (in Tampa), and come here to the mall.”

Foreign visitors, especially from Canada and Brazil, are frequent shoppers at the Orlando Outlet Mall. And, Caum said Pasco plans to focus some of its marketing on Central and South American countries including Venezuela, Argentina and Mexico.

With counties sharing in the tourism pool, Hillsborough County’s tourism agency, Visit Tampa Bay, will include materials on the Tampa Premium Outlets in its marketing packages at an upcoming trade show in London.

“Everything that’s in Pasco, we’re going to be working very closely with them,” said Kevin Wiatrowski, regional media relations manager for Visit Tampa Bay. “All of our materials have this built into it along with our regular stuff. It’s an impressive time to be here.”

Wesley Chapel resident Rita Faddoul came from Lebanon more than 20 years ago. She remembers when the community had “one store, one light.”

Now, she says relatives coming from Europe will enjoy something unique in her neighborhood.

“It’s better than the International Mall,” Faddoul said. “I want to stay until midnight.”

Cool vibe and good deals

When all of its stores have opened, the 441,000-square-foot mall, with its “Key West” décor, will boast more than 100 designer brand shops selling top-line merchandise at 25 percent to 65 percent discounts daily.

Many stores sweetened the bargains with larger discounts, coupons and giveaways during the mall’s opening weekend from Oct. 29 through Nov. 1.

Karen Jenkins, and her mother, Beth McDonald, sat on a bench studying a brochure and a map of the outlet mall.

“I’m really just looking to see what they have,” said Jenkins. “If I see something I like, I’ll buy it.”

Tampa Premium Outlets has some stores that shoppers won’t find at Ellenton, including Naturalizer and The Limited.
The duo registered with the Tampa outlet’s VIP Shopper, and got a few coupons including a discount on Ralph Lauren merchandise.

“We’re thrilled we’re not driving to Ellenton,” said Jenkins who lives in Land O’ Lakes. But, she added: “My husband’s not happy about this.”

Kaiya Davis and her son, Jamal McIntosh, had a quick hop to the mall, from their new home in Lutz.

Davis took the day off to check out the shops.

Stephen Yalof, chief executive officer of Premium OUtlets for Simon, talks about the opening of Tampa Premium Outlets, located on State Road 56, near Interstate 75.

McIntosh is starting a job with the Florida Department of Transportation and soon could be working on highway projects to ease traffic woes at the interchange of Interstate 75 and State Road 56.

“Lots of new beginnings,” said Davis.

Besides a being new shopping venue, the new homeowner sees an added bonus from the mall.

“The price of property values are going to go up,” she said.

Another Lutz resident Karen Fortin, and her mother, Margaret Carreiro, left Columbia Sportswear, one of their favorite stores, carrying bags containing shoes and a fleece jacket.

The travel time to the shopping destination can’t be beat, they said.

“We’re right here, 2 minutes from home,” Fortin said.

Caralee and Charles Shapero had a longer trip, coming over from Clearwater. But, they might come back.

“We will see,” said Caralee Shapero. “It’s missing a Bath & Body Works, but it is closer. So far so good.”

They are Yankee Candle enthusiasts and were ready to snap up a deal – five candles for $50.

“We’ll be walking out with 10,” said Caralee Shapero.

Natalie Scheer and Blanca Jordan sat down on a bench with Disney Store Outlet bags at their feet. They rattled off stores they had been to and others they were ready to take on.

“We’re only halfway there,” said Scheer, who along with Jordan, works at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

They expected to spend two hours to three hours scouring the mall for bargains.

“We threw our bags in the car already,” said Jordan. “This is our second round. It’s wonderful. We don’t have to go all the way to Orlando.”

Jordan said she sometimes goes to Westfield Citrus Park. But, she added: “Outlets are much better. You get better deals.”

The women liked the setting, too.

Jordan held out her cellphone showing off a picture of the two framed in the background by the mall’s blue water lagoon and bridge.

“It looks like we’re on vacation,” said Scheer.

Published November 4, 2015

Ready. Set. Go – Tampa Premium Outlets!

October 28, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Shopping season is set to open at Tampa Premium Outlets — no license is required.

The highly anticipated outdoor mall – in the bull’s eye of Pasco County development – will have its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 29 at 9:40 a.m.

Shop doors open at 10 a.m.

Tampa Premium Outlets is a 441,000-square-foot mall with more than 100 shops featuring brand names such as Calvin Klein, Nike, Saks Off 5th, Vera Bradley and PacSun.
Courtesy of Tampa Premium Outlets

Shelves will be stocked with upscale brand names at more than 100 shops, including Saks Off 5^th, Calvin Klein, Nike, Coach and Michael Kors. Opening day is expected to bring thousands to check out typical discounts ranging from 25 percent to 65 percent on coveted merchandise.

Mall developers at Simon Property Group are planning a full weekend of special events, family-friendly activities, and Halloween Happenings.

As a regular feature, there is a play area for children.

“We want to encourage everyone to come out with their families,” said Stacey Nance, the mall’s general manager, who recently gave the media a sneak peek at the mall.

Reality television star Bethenny Frankel of The Housewives of New York will be a special guest on Oct. 31 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Frankel, also founder of Skinnygirl Cocktails, will greet shoppers, participate in interactive style segments and share fashion advice. She also will host two autograph sessions with fans at the VIP Shoppers Club Lounge.

To access the lounge, fans can enroll in Simon Premium Outlets VIP Shoppers Club at premiumoutlets.com/vip, or in person at the mall, outside the lounge.

Club members are eligible for exclusive deals, coupons and other benefits. The lounge will host several activities during opening weekend, including chair massages, a beauty bar and a photo station.

Other highlights during opening weekend include free entertainment, deals and giveaways.

Rush-hour traffic typically stacks up along State Road 56 at the Interstate 75 interchange. On opening day for Tampa Premium Outlets, 12 extra duty officers from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office will help with traffic and security at the mall. FRED BELLET/PHOTO — Rush-hour traffic typically stacks up along State Road 56 at the Interstate 75 interchange. On opening day for Tampa Premium Outlets, 12 extra duty officers from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office will help with traffic and security at the mall.
FRED BELLET/PHOTO

Rack Room Shoes, for instance, will give shoppers a chance to win a $500 gift card and other giveaways, including coupon books with discounts, according to a news release from the shoe company.

The 441,000-square-foot mall is designed with a “Key West” vibe, with airy pastel colors, a multitude of palm trees, covered walkways and water features.

The centerpiece is a clear blue lagoon outside the Market Hall, which houses customers services, the food court and a lounge where people can sit and watch television.

A bridge crosses the lagoon, which is surrounded by a deck with benches and bistro chairs. A fire pit and Adirondack chairs are nearby.

“I think it will be a feature where people will want to take their picture by,” Nance said.

Traffic in and out of the mall is expected to be heavy but Nance said talks have been ongoing for months with Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

Typically, opening days at malls see parking lots turn over four or five times.

“It’s going to be a constant ebb and flow throughout the day,” Nance predicted.

The mall will offer valet parking on a trial basis. If successful, Nance anticipates the service will become permanent.

On opening weekend, 12 extra duty law enforcement officers, paid for by the mall, will be stationed at mall entrances as well as inside the mall, Pasco County Sheriff’s spokesman Kevin Doll said.

The officers will include two supervisors.

If more help is needed, Doll said the sheriff’s citizen patrol group could be tapped to help with traffic.

“We’ve handled big events in the past,” he said. “Hopefully this will go smoothly.”

Outlet mall openings are special events wherever they happen, said Linda Humphers, editor in chief of Value Retail News/International Council of Shopping Centers.

There are only about 100 or so outlet malls in the nation.

In the central Florida area, Tampa Premium Outlets is situated between outlet malls in Orlando and New Ellenton.

“That’s part of the mystique of them,” Humphers said. “You go there. You stay longer and spend more. It’s not like going to a mall and getting something you need.”

Outlet mall developers typically look for locations with easy access, high visibility, lots of rooftops and a solid tourism base, Humphers said.

Pasco scores on all counts for Tampa Premium Outlets, which is off State Road 56 and the Interstate 75 interchange. And the county recently released a report showing a record number of tourist visitors and revenues in the past year.

Marketing for the Tampa Premium Outlets extends into the Tampa Bay region, but in future could spread a wider net, Nance said.

“We’ll definitely be looking at that when we get further along in our marketing plan,” she said.

Pasco’s future is set on a course for more retail and rooftops as developers saturate commercial corridors such as State Road 54 and State Road 56.

New shops are coming to property northeast of the Shoppes at Wiregrass. The Florida Center Ice sports complex is expected to open in 2016. Cypress Creek Town Center is anticipating openings for Chick Fil A, Culver’s and Cheddar Café. And the town center’s representatives recently met with county planners to discuss construction of a retail building, parking space and a boat storage area.

Speculation is that sporting goods retailer, Cabelas, is on the way to Wesley Chapel, too.

And there is a lot of buzz swirling around Tampa Premium Outlets’ opening day, Humphers said.

“Retail begets retail,” she said.

Tampa Premium Outlets grand opening

Grand opening: Oct. 29 through Nov. 1

Hours: Ribbon cutting Oct. 29 at 9:40 a.m.; extended hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. opening day through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Regular hours begin Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Celebrity guest: Reality television star, Bethenny Frankel, on Oct. 31 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Published October 28, 2015

Health care startup to hire 500 workers

October 21, 2015 By Kathy Steele

CareSync, a Wesley Chapel-based health management company, is in the midst of a growth spurt with new investments of $18 million, and a plan to hire 500 new employees over the next 18 months.

About 100 jobs will be in marketing, sales and development. But, most will be for people with medical backgrounds, including registered nurses, certified nursing assistants and clinicians. Some positions also might go to people who have the drive and desire to become a nurse.

The start-up company launched nearly four years ago as a software and service provider for chronic disease management. There currently are nearly 120 employees.

Travis Bond is the founder of CareSync and its chief executive officer. (Images of CareSync) — Travis Bond is the founder of CareSync and its chief executive officer.
(Images courtesy of CareSync)

The company’s users include health care providers, caretakers and individual patients who want to collect, organize and store medical data for quick, easy reference.

The idea is to put everyone involved in a patient’s care on the same page, sharing an entire medical history.

“We are all about creating care plans,” said Travis Bond, the company’s founder and chief executive officer.

The company offers options on how to accomplish that task.

A free app is available for people who want a “do-it-yourself” approach.

However, the company also offers a range of fee-based services where retrieval specialists collect, enter and organize medical information from multiple providers. Physicians, nurses and family members, as well as individual patients, can access the centralized data to coordinate care. This can include scheduling appointments, putting together a list of questions to ask the doctor, tracking medications and avoiding the duplication of medical tests.

“You can invite others to share your data,” Bond said. “That’s helpful, because typically a caretaker feels intimidated because of lack of data. They lack training and confidence.”

About one-third of CareSync’s users are children caring for elderly parents, Bond said.

The program also aids physicians in coordinating care, especially when multiple providers are involved.

CareSync also aids in billing procedures and meeting requirements for Medicare’s chronic disease management goals.

Bond’s motivation in creating his company, in part, came from a friend’s struggle to manage the care of her daughter who has an autoimmune disease.

The friend is a nurse, but even she was overwhelmed trying to cope with 12 doctors and six emergency medical records (EMR) in three states.

“If she can’t do it, no one can,” Bond said. “It bogs down the velocity of care.”

And, he said it creates a “dark space between doctors and appointments. How is it we can help individuals become more informed when not at a point of care?”

While CareSync’s headquarters are in Wesley Chapel, the company operates a nursing center in Wauchula in Hardee County where medical advice and planning is available on a 24-hour basis. Bond hopes to open a nursing center in Wesley Chapel, too.

The $18 million in funding is from new investors Merck Global Health Fund, Greycroft Partners and Harbert Venture Partners, and also current investors Tullis Health Investors, Clearwell Group, CDH Solutions and Bond.

The funding reflects the growth in the chronic disease management industry and recognition by physicians that case management will be here for years to come, Bond said.

“These are lasting, long-term careers. It’s really a big deal,” he said.

For information call CareSync at (800) 587-5227, or visit CareSync.com.

Published October 21, 2015

Pasco’s tourism figures are rising

October 14, 2015 By B.C. Manion

When the final numbers are in, Pasco County’s tourism manager believes the county will be issuing a report on a record year for the county.

“I’m actually probably going to have a record year, once I see September’s numbers. The average daily room rate is up about 10 percent across the board,” said Ed Caum, tourism manager for Pasco County. “It’s pretty exciting.”

And, the prospects are bright for even more visitors in the coming year.

The county has several new attractions that will be opening soon, or have recently opened.

Among them:

Tampa Premium Outlets, off State Road 54, near Interstate 75: This 441,000-square-foot mall, featuring 110 retailers, is scheduled to open on Oct. 29.
Florida Hospital Center Ice, off State Road 56, parallel to Interstate 75, is set to open next spring. It is expected to attract tournaments, as well as thousands of local hockey players, skaters and other athletes.
Tree Hoppers, in Dade City, is a zipline course designed for aerial adventurers of all ability levels.
SunWest Park, in Hudson, is expected to attract worldwide attention for its beach volleyball courts and its wakeboard course.

These attractions will help draw more visitors, which will increase tourism — and that benefits the county, Caum said during the Oct. 6 breakfast meeting of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce.

Ed Caum, tourism manager for Pasco County, believes the county is heading toward a record year in terms of tourism. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Ed Caum, tourism manager for Pasco County, believes the county is heading toward a record year in terms of tourism.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Tourism figures matter — not only to people working directly in the hospitality industry, but to all of Pasco’s business owners and residents, Caum said.

Taxes paid by tourists reduce the tax burden for Florida residents, he said.

And, tourism provides jobs.

Across Florida, the state is projecting the need for 300,000 more hospitality employees by 2020, Caum told the breakfast crowd, gathered in the conference center at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

“A lot of people are thinking, well that’s not really a lot of high-paying jobs,” Caum said.

But he added: “We’re going to have to change our mentality about that a little bit.

“Actually, the median wage for someone who is in the hospitality business is about $45,000,” he said. “It’s not all people changing sheets.”

“Tourism is economic development,” Caum said.

“Everybody who runs a business in Florida is an ambassador for tourism. Because if you’re a car dealership, or a car repair or providing some kind of service, chances are you’re going to have a tourist that’s going to walk through your business,” he said.

In Pasco, County Administrator Michele Baker has realigned the tourism office so that it works with the county’s office of economic growth.

The shift was made because tourism is an economic generator, Caum said.

Tourism also helps the state to attract more businesses and residents.

Events like the mud run attract people to Pasco County, where the visitors spend money — boosting the local economy. (File Photo) — Events like the mud run attract people to Pasco County, where the visitors spend money — boosting the local economy.
(File Photo)

“A lot of the folks who have moved their businesses here, came here because they had a good experience in Florida and they decided they wanted to come down here to open a business,” Caum said.

Figures show that $500 million was spent by tourists in Pasco County.

“We’re generating right around 6,000 jobs, currently, here in Pasco County, which is tourism-related,” Caum said.

That’s not counting the car mechanic that fixes a traveling tourist’s car, or the car rental place that rents a car to someone who is coming from the airport to visit people or conduct business in Pasco.

Pasco County currently has 3,556 hotel rooms.

Caum expects the county’s hotel stock to increase by 75 beds a year for the next five years.

“I have to market what we are. Not what we think we are. Not what we want to be. We have to actually market and play to our strengths.

“So, what do we have? We have elbowroom. We have outdoors. We have nature.

“We don’t swim with the manatees here, but I’m constantly out there kayaking and they’re always coming out to see what that big green thing on the top of the water is, and it’s me, looking down at the manatees. That’s an experience that people love.

“I always see dolphins when I’m out kayaking,” he said.

Tree Hoppers is an aerial adventure park in Dade City, giving people of all ability levels the chance to experience ziplining. (File Photo) — Tree Hoppers is an aerial adventure park in Dade City, giving people of all ability levels the chance to experience ziplining.
(File Photo)

As the county invests in amenities to boost tourism, local residents benefit, too, Caum said.

Caum serves on two Visit Florida committees: The Cultural Heritage, Rural and Nature Committee and the Marketing Committee.

“I’m sitting around the table with the likes of Disney, Busch Gardens and some of the major, major players, to talk about marketing.

“The one thing that we’re going to try to do is to move people around Florida more.

“We’ve found that people that have gone back to the same destination over and over again are looking for other opportunities,” he said.

“I’m trying to position Pasco County as the place they maybe want to visit after they’ve seen The Mouse (Disneyworld).

“I’m trying to not be the anti-Mouse, but say, if you want to disconnect, bring your family someplace where you can go out and walk in the woods, paddle on the water — a different experience and a healthy experience, also,” Caum said.

The county also has a number of events that attract visitors, including the Bug Jam, the Savage Races and local festivals.

And, it is launching new initiatives, too.

“One of the things that we do have here is a lot of history,” he said, noting there are 93 cast iron historic signs around the county.

“I’m working right now to GPS all of them and put them into a map, where our visitors can follow them around,” he said.

European visitors, in particular, enjoy driving around to the various historic sites and getting out of the car to read about the area, Caum said.

Efforts are also underway to bring downtown districts back to life and to promote the county’s microbreweries and eclectic restaurants, Caum added.

When it comes to promoting the county, it’s everybody’s job, the tourism manager said.

He recounted overhearing a young waiter being asked by a visitor what there was to do around Pasco County.

The waiter replied: “I’ve lived here forever. There’s nothing to do in Pasco County.”

“There’s a missed opportunity,” Caum said.

Published October 14, 2015