An iconic crossroads in the Land O’ Lakes area — known as Gowers Corner — soon could be filling up with shops, offices and restaurants.
Pasco County commissioners approved a land use change on April 26 that clears the way for commercial development on about 44 acres at the southwest corner of the intersection.
“I think this is a great project for Land O’ Lakes,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore. “Right now, they don’t have that many amenities in the area.”
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
Currently, the crossroads is sparsely filled out with a Citgo and a Speedway gas station. Large swaths of wooded land and fields behind complete the mostly rural landscape.
But, change is coming.
Developers plan to submit detailed plans for a project with about 215,000 square feet of commercial and office space. Forty residential units are proposed above retail shops, and an undefined water feature is planned as a centerpiece for the commercial center.
Gowers Corner is a landmark — steeped in the history of pioneer settlers and business owners.
According to local historians, the crossroads and surrounding community, took its name from lumberman William Arthur Gower. He migrated from Georgia to Pasco and became supervisor of a sawmill in Fivay.
Gower at one time owned land at all four corners of the intersection. In the 1930s, he operated the first gasoline station and convenience store in the area.
Today, corporate entities of another lumber family – the Tibbetts – are owners of the property now slated for development.
However, the Tibbetts’ project and future roadway construction are raising concerns among some area residents.
Land O’ Lakes’ resident Theodore DeLong said the county needs to address stormwater drainage before any construction is approved.
During the torrential rains of July and August, canals that drain stormwater into Green Lake overflowed. Several homes in the vicinity of Gowers Corner flooded and septic tanks stopped functioning.
“The project itself, I’m not against,” DeLong said. But he added, “We have been having tremendous problems from the lake because of flooding.”
Residents need answers, and a fix to the problem, he said.
There also are concerns about the impact of a proposed project from the Florida Department of Transportation to realign the intersection and add more lanes to the roadways.
County Commissioner Moore assured DeLong that county and state officials are working on the flooding issue.
“We’re wanting to get with SWIFTMUD (Southwest Water Management District) and looking for a possible resolution,” Moore said.
Published May 18, 2016
