The Laker/Lutz News

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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Ehrlich Road

More Savings at Mattamy Homes’ Spring Sale

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With two new townhome communities now open in Lutz and Citrus Park, Mattamy Homes is offering extraordinary savings on quick move-in townhomes in its Avea Pointe and Lakeview at Citrus Park communities.

“All of our quick, move-in homes are available with special savings on these spacious three- and four-bedroom townhomes,” said Kathleen Dec, marketing manager for Mattamy Homes. “Plus, for a limited time we are paying closing costs, so it is important to call now to take advantage of these significant savings.”

Avea Pointe In Lutz
Avea Pointe is Mattamy Homes’ newest townhome neighborhood in Lutz, located off Van Dyke Road on Lakeshore Drive, and directly across from Mattamy Homes’ Lakeshore Preserve community.

Avea Pointe’s first residents will be moving into their new homes this spring. The community’s amenities will be ready in the fall, including a resort-style pool, cabana and sun deck. At completion, Avea Pointe will have 224 homes.

This fabulous kitchen in the Venice townhome is one of many reasons why Mattamy Homes was honored with a silver award at the 2019 Tampa Bay Parade of Homes for homes between $350,000 and $399,000.

This gated community offers three unique floor plans designed to live like single-family homes. All feature large open kitchens, optimized living spaces, covered lanais and 2-car garages.

Avea Pointe offers very distinctive plans— the Santa Rosa at 1,913 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, with an owner’s suite on the first level; the Sebring at 2,230 square feet with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths; and the Venice at 2,574 square feet with 4 bedrooms (including a first-floor bedroom) and 3 baths. Base prices are from the low $300s.

“We offer some of the largest townhomes in the area,” said Dec. “Their unique designs meet the needs of first-time homebuyers, families with children and empty-nesters.”

Avea Pointe is just minutes from St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, and convenient to shopping, dining and entertainment in Carrollwood, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel. Located within two miles of the Veterans Expressway, the community is an easy commute to Tampa, the airport and area beaches.

“This desirable location is one of the main reasons our homes at Avea Pointe are selling so quickly,” said Dec. “Excellent schools are another reason, because parents want their children to attend the area’s best schools.”

Avea Pointe children are zoned to Steinbrenner High, Martinez Middle and Schwarzkopf Elementary, all less than three miles away on Lutz Lake Fern Road. Also close-by is the Sunlake Academy of Math and Science charter school.

New Models in Citrus Park
Mattamy Homes has been selling in Lakeview at Citrus Park since August, and has already sold more than 35 townhomes. With the recent opening of three professionally decorated models, Mattamy expects sales to move even faster in this gated community off Ehrlich Road and the Veterans Expressway.

“Lakeview at Citrus Park is one of the prettiest and most convenient locations in the north Tampa area,” said Dec. “Our homeowners love being so close to Westfield Citrus Park Mall, and value their easy access to the Veterans and downtown Tampa.”

“Our new models are beautifully decorated and furnished, and feel as spacious and private as single-family homes,” said Dec.

The Marianna (1,667 sq. ft.) and Ormond (1,888 sq. ft.) have 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and single garages. The Venice (2,574 sq. ft.) has 4 bedrooms, including one downstairs, 3 baths and a double garage. Prices begin in the mid $200s.

The community, which will have 124 townhomes when completed, overlooks Gant Lake at the end of Tom Fuller Road. Residents have access to the lake for fishing, kayaking and paddle-boarding from its community pier. Other amenities include a children’s playground.

Visit MattamyHomes.com, or call (813) 580-7303, to learn more about these communities, the Spring Sales Event, or to schedule a VIP appointment.

Published March 27, 2019

Mattamy Home’s Fabulous Spring Sales Event

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With two new townhome communities opening in Lutz and Citrus Park, Mattamy Homes is offering families special savings on new, quick move-in townhomes for a limited time only, including paying closing costs.  A variety of three- and four-bedroom townhomes are available for move in this spring, at Avea Pointe in Lutz and Lakeview at Citrus Park.

New Models in Citrus Park
Mattamy Homes been selling in Lakeview at Citrus Park in August, and already has sold more than 30 townhomes. And now, with the opening of three new, professionally decorated models, Mattamy expects sales to move even faster in this gated community off Ehrlich Road and the Veterans Expressway.

Townhomes by Mattamy Homes offer spacious floor plans and two-car garages.

“Lakeview at Citrus Park is one of the prettiest and most convenient locations in the north Tampa area,” said Kathleen Dec, marketing manager for Mattamy Homes. “Our homeowners love being so close to Westfield Citrus Park Mall, and value their easy access to the Veterans and downtown Tampa.”

New models are beautifully decorated and furnished, and feel just as spacious and private as single-family homes. The Marianna (1,667 sq. ft.) and Ormond (1,888 sq. ft.) have 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and single garages. The Venice (2,574 sq. ft.) has 4 bedrooms, including one downstairs, 3 baths and a double garage. Prices begin in the mid $200s.

The community, which will have 124 townhomes when completed, overlooks Gant Lake at the end of Tom Fuller Road. Residents have access to the lake for fishing, kayaking and paddle-boarding from its community pier. Other amenities include a children’s playground.

Avea Pointe In Lutz
Avea Pointe is Mattamy Homes’ newest townhome neighborhood in Lutz, located off Van Dyke Road on Lakeshore Drive, and directly across from Lakeshore Preserve —a Mattamy townhome community that sold out in less than 18 months.

“The demand for our townhomes in Lakeshore Preserve was so incredible that we’re very happy to be offering families more townhomes in the same great location,” said Dec.

Avea Pointe’s first residents will be moving into their new homes this spring. The community’s amenities will be ready this fall, and include a resort-style pool, cabana and sun deck. At completion, Avea Pointe will have 224 homes.

This gated community offers three spacious floor plans designed to live like single-family homes, incorporating large open kitchens, optimized living spaces, covered lanais and 2-car garages.

Avea Pointe offers very distinctive plans— the Santa Rosa at 1,913 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, with an owner’s suite on the first level; the Sebring at 2,230 square feet with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths; and the Venice at 2,574 square feet with 4 bedrooms (including a first-floor bedroom) and 3 baths. Base prices are from the low $300s.

“We offer some of the most spacious townhome floor plans in the area,” said Dec. “Their unique designs meet the needs of first-time homebuyers, families with children and empty-nesters.”

In-Demand Location
Mattamy’s Lutz communities are just minutes from St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, and are convenient to shopping, dining and entertainment in Carrollwood, Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel. Located within two miles of the Veterans Expressway makes them an easy commute to Tampa, the airport and area beaches.

“This desirable location is one of the main reasons our homes at Lakeshore Preserve and Avea Pointe are selling so quickly,” said Dec. “Excellent schools are another reason — parents want their children to attend the area’s best schools.”

Children at Lakeshore Preserve and Avea Pointe attend Steinbrenner High, Martinez Middle and Schwarzkopf Elementary, all less than three miles away on Lutz Lake Fern Road. Also close-by is the Sunlake Academy of Math and Science charter school.

 Visit MattamyHomes.com, or call (813) 580-7303, to learn more about these communities, the Spring Sales Event, or to schedule a VIP appointment.

Published February 27, 2019

Mattamy Opens Second Townhome Community In Lutz

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There’s more good news from Mattamy Homes for families looking for affordable new construction in Lutz that offers excellent schools and one of the best locations in Tampa Bay.

Avea Pointe is a new townhome community located off Van Dyke Road on Lakeshore Drive. It is directly across from Lakeshore Preserve — Mattamy Homes’ very successful townhome community of 102 homes, which is closing out sales after opening in the fall of 2017. Only one home remains — a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath well-appointed Ormond model home.

“The demand for our townhomes in Lakeshore Preserve was so incredible that we are very happy to be offering families more townhomes with the same great location,” said Kathleen Dec, marketing manager for Mattamy Homes.

Avea Pointe will begin sales to the public on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 10 a.m., with the first residents expected to move into their new home in late spring. The community will offer amenities that will be completed later this year, including a resort-style pool, cabana, sun deck and tot lot. At completion, Avea Pointe will have 224 homes.

The gated community will offer three spacious floor plans designed very much like single-family homes, incorporating large open kitchens, optimized living spaces and 2-car garages.

Avea Pointe offers very distinctive plans— the Santa Rosa at 1,913 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, with an owner’s suite on the first level; the Sebring is an interior unit with 2,230 square feet and 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths; and the Venice at 2,574 square feet with 4 bedrooms  (including a first-floor bedroom) and 3 baths.  All homes feature 2-car garages and covered lanais.

Base prices of these townhomes are anticipated to begin in the low $300s, and come in three attractive exteriors — West Indies, French Country and Craftsman.

“We offer some of the most spacious townhome floor plans in the market, and their unique designs meet the needs of first-time homebuyers, families with children, empty-nesters and retirees,” said Dec.

Avea Pointe’s home designs can be experienced by visiting model homes at Lakeshore Preserve (directly across Van Dyke Road) and other Mattamy communities in Citrus Park, Oldsmar and Riverview.

Mattamy’s Lutz communities are just minutes from St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, and are convenient to shopping, dining and entertainment in Carrollwood, Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel. Their close proximity to the Veterans Expressway is an easy commute to Tampa, the airport and area beaches.

“Our location is one of the main reasons our homes at Lakeshore Preserve sold so quickly,” said Dec.

Excellent schools are the other reason Mattamy’s Lutz townhomes are so much in demand. This location is zoned to some of Hillsborough County’s best schools — Steinbrenner High, Martinez Middle and Schwarzkopf Elementary. All are located less than 3 miles away at the public school complex on Lutz Lake Fern Road. In addition, charter school Sunlake Academy of Math is less than a mile away.

Lakeview at Citrus Park
It’s only been six months since Mattamy Homes opened Lakeview at Citrus Park — its gated townhome community off Ehrlich Road at the Veterans Expressway — and already 23 townhomes have been sold.

“This is one of the prettiest and most convenient locations in the north Tampa area,” said Dec. “Our homeowners love being less than 2 miles from Westfield Citrus Park Mall, and their easy access to downtown Tampa just 15 miles away.”

Mattamy Homes found a perfect location that overlooks Gant Lake at the end of Tom Fuller Road, which gives resident access to the lake for fishing, kayaking and paddle boarding from its community pier. Other amenities include a children’s playground.

Lakeview at Citrus Park has three model homes that will open in early February.  Upon completion, it will have 124 townhomes, ranging from 1,670 to 2,620 square feet, and offering 2 to 4 bedrooms, 2.5 to 4 baths, and 1- or 2-car garages.

Mattamy Homes is the largest privately owned homebuilder in North America, with a nearly 40-year history of operations across the United States and Canada. Every year, Mattamy helps 7,000 families realize their dream of home ownership. Visit MattamyHomes.com for more information, or call (813) 580-7303.

Published January 23, 2019

Lakeview at Citrus Park Has Park-Like Setting and Superb Location

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Next to the Veterans and just minutes to Carrollwood

Mattamy Homes is launching its second townhome community in north Tampa —Lakeview at Citrus Park. The community is opening soon at an idyllic location overlooking Gant Lake at the end of Tom Fuller Road, located just south of Ehrlich Road and east of the Veterans Expressway.

VIP-only presales are taking place this weekend, Aug. 24 to Aug. 26, with sales opening to the general public on Saturday, Sept. 1.

To qualify for VIP presales, register at MattamyHomes.com/Tampa. VIP benefits include first selection of homes, VIP pricing and other incentives.

“This is one of the prettiest and most convenient locations in the north Tampa area,” said Kathleen Dec, marketing manager for Mattamy’s West Florida Division. “Our homeowners will enjoy living less than two miles from Westfield Citrus Park Mall, and will appreciate the easy access to Tampa via the Veterans Expressway.  Plus, Tampa International Airport is only 12 miles from the community.”

In addition to its great location, this gated community will boast a community pier with resident access to Gant Lake for fishing, kayaking and paddle boarding, and also a children’s playground.

Upon completion, Lakeview at Citrus Park will have 124 townhomes. Buyers will choose from five floor plans that are similar to the popular plans sold at Mattamy Homes’ Lakeside Preserve community in Lutz.

Home sizes will range from 1,670 to 2,620 square feet, and offer 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2.5 to 3 baths, and 1- or 2-car garages. Pricing begins from the mid $200,000s.

To learn more about Lakeview at Citrus Park, visit MattamyHomes.com, call Melanie Sikorski at (813) 278-1760, or email .

Last Chance For Lakeshore Preserve
In less than a year, the Mattamy Homes community of Lakeshore Preserve in Lutz has sold 80 percent of its townhomes in the 102-home community, located on Van Dyke Road and Lakeshore Road, just west of Dale Mabry Highway.

“We’re down to our last 20 homes, and expect all to sell by the end of the year,” said Marketing Manager Dec. “Lakeshore Preserve has sold very well in the year since we opened because of its great location and unique floor plans that optimize living spaces to fit an array of buyers’ needs.”

Lakeshore Preserve has two contemporary townhome designs still available that offer 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and 1- or 2-car garages. Townhomes are larger than many single-family homes, ranging from 1,888 to 2,333 square feet. Prices start in the mid $200,000s.

The community is less than two miles from the Veterans Expressway and Dale Mabry Highway, and close to shopping and dining in Carrollwood, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel.

“Plus, our kids attend some of the best schools in all of Hillsborough County, which is a huge draw for many of our residents,” said Dec.

Lakeshore Preserve students are zoned to Steinbrenner High, Martinez Middle and Schwarzkopf Elementary, all located less than three miles away on Lutz Lake Fern Road. Charter school Sunlake Academy of Math and Science is less than a mile away.

This gated community offers a beautiful amenity center, which includes a large resort-style pool, outdoor area equipped with a covered cabana and breeze fans, outdoor kitchen, hammocks, shaded seating areas and game area.

To learn more about Lakeshore Preserve, visit MattamyHomes.com, call Melanie Sikorski at (813) 370-1254, or email .

Mattamy Homes is the largest privately owned homebuilder in North America, with a nearly 40-year history of operations across the United States and Canada. Every year, Mattamy helps 7,000 families realize their dream of home ownership. Visit MattamyHomes.com for more information.

Published August 22, 2018

Last Chance To Buy At Lakeshore Preserve

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If you’re looking for a beautiful, maintenance-free townhome in Lutz close to the Veterans Expressway, you need to move fast.

In less than a year, the Mattamy Homes community of Lakeshore Preserve has sold 75 percent of its townhomes in the 102-home community, located on Van Dyke Road and Lakeshore Road, just west of Dale Mabry Highway.

“We’re down to our last 25 homes, and expect all to sell by the end of the year,” said

Lakeshore Preserve

Kathleen Dec, marketing manager for Mattamy’s West Florida Division.

Dec said Lakeshore Preserve sold quickly since holding its grand opening last August because of its great Lutz location, and because homes offer optimized living spaces that fit an array of buyers’ needs.

“Our homeowners love being less than two miles from the Veterans Expressway and Dale Mabry Highway, and enjoy being close to all of the shopping and dining in Carrollwood and Wesley Chapel,” said Dec.  “Plus, our kids attend some of the best schools in all of Hillsborough County.”

Lakeshore Preserve students are zoned to Steinbrenner High, Martinez Middle and Schwarzkopf Elementary, all located less than three miles away at the public school complex on Lutz Lake Fern Road. In addition, charter school Sunlake Academy of Math and Science is less than a mile away.

This gated community offers a beautiful amenity center, the hub of its 13,672-square-foot outdoor activity area that incorporates a large resort-style pool, outdoor area equipped with a covered cabana and breeze fans, outdoor kitchen, hammocks, shaded seating areas and game area.

Lakeshore Preserve has three contemporary townhome designs still available that offer 2 to 4 bedrooms, 2.5 to 3 bathrooms and 1- or 2-car garages. Townhomes are larger than many single-family homes, ranging from 1,888 to 2,605 square feet, and priced starting from the mid $200,000s.

Four quick move-in homes are available now with special, limited timesavings in the spacious Sebring floor plan of 2,230 square feet. Downstairs features a two-car garage, island kitchen, large dining and great rooms, half bath and large, screened-in covered lanai. Upstairs is an open loft, private master suite and bath, two additional bedrooms, another bath and laundry room. Well-appointed, move-in-ready homes are priced from $307,000.

To learn more about Lakeshore Preserve, visit MattamyHomes.com, call Lisa Malone at (813) 477-6483, or email .

First Chance To Buy At Lakeview at Citrus Park
The overwhelming success of Lakeshore Preserve encouraged Mattamy Homes to explore a second townhome community in north Tampa — which will open soon as Lakeview at Citrus Park.

They found a perfect location that overlooks Gant Lake at the end of Tom Fuller Road, just south of Ehrlich Road and east of the Veterans Expressway.

“This is one of the prettiest and most convenient locations in the north Tampa area,” said Dec. “Our homeowners will enjoy living less than two miles from Westfield Citrus Park Mall, and will appreciate the easy access to Tampa via the Veterans Expressway.  Plus, Tampa International Airport is only 12 miles from the community.”

Lakeview at Citrus Park

In addition to its great location, this gated community will boast a community pier with resident access to Gant Lake for fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding, and also a children’s playground.

Upon completion, Lakeview at Citrus Park will have 124 townhomes. Buyers will choose from five floor plans that are similar to the popular plans sold at Lakeside Preserve. Home sizes will range from 1,670 to 2,620-square-feet ,and offer 2 to 5 bedrooms, 2.5 to 4 baths, and 1- or 2-car garages.

VIP-only pre-sales are Aug. 3 to Aug. 5 for those who sign up on the community’s VIP List on Mattamy’s website at MattamyHomes.com/tampa. VIP List registration is being accepted now, and is required to qualify for all VIP benefits, including community updates, first selection of homes and VIP pricing and incentives. For those not on this list, public pre-sales will begin Aug. 6.

To learn more about Lakeview at Citrus Park, visit MattamyHomes.com, call Melanie Sikorski at (813) 278-1760, or email .

Mattamy Homes is the largest privately owned homebuilder in North America, with a nearly 40-year history of operations across the United States and Canada. Every year, Mattamy helps 7,000 families realize their dream of home ownership.

Published July 25, 2018

Expect some lane closures on Veterans, Suncoast

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For the first time in weeks, drivers along the Veterans Expressway won’t have to worry about lane closures between Linebaugh Avenue and Gunn Highway.

But go a little further south, and construction crews will need a little extra space.

Waters Avenue, in the area underneath the Veterans overpass there, will be closed completely between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. beginning Sept. 14, and running through that following Thursday. While the Veterans itself won’t be closed, it could create some traffic congestion in that area, according to an alert from the Florida Department of Transportation.

There will be some single inside-lane closures on the northbound portion of the road during those same times between Memorial Highway and Waters while workers remove a temporary barrier wall.

Overall, construction will take place between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. from Monday through Thursday, and from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays, with additional work overnight. Motorists should be alert for construction vehicles entering and exiting the roadway, although no daytime lane closures are currently scheduled.

There will be general lane closures Sunday through Friday from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., on the stretch of Veterans between Gunn and Dale Mabry highways. A full southbound off-ramp closure at Gunn will continue through Sept. 19, with detours using Ehrlich Road to Gunn Highway, near Westfield Citrus Park.

Hutchison Road will have a full northbound on-ramp closure beginning at 7 a.m. Sept. 13, and running through 5 p.m. that Sunday, for demolition of the old tollbooth there. The road also will have a full southbound off-ramp closure between Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 for that tollbooth demolition.

Although work continues to demolish the old toll plaza at Sugarwood, there are no lane closures expected.

The work is all a part of the $386 million improvement project that widens 11 miles of the Veterans, expected to double the capacity of the highway from four lanes to eight.

Milling and resurfacing has begun on the Suncoast Parkway in the Lutz area, with single-lane closures northbound running from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Sept. 17-19, and southbound from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sept. 15-16.

That $3.4 million project includes resurfacing and signage between mileposts 14 and 18. 

Pep Boys on its way to Lutz

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Construction is set to begin soon on a new Pep Boys automobile service shop on State Road 54, just blocks from Collier Parkway in Lutz.

The company is planning a 5,500-square-foot service and tire center with six service bays, according to spokeswoman Lizabeth Galantino, and will hire six people.

The land is located on the corner of State Road 54 and Catfish Lake Lane, and is currently owned by Jerry and Linda Newton of Indian Rocks Beach, according to county property records. The Newtons purchased the 1.6 acres of vacant land in 2005 for $875,000.

This would be the area’s first Pep Boys location, complementing the closest one on North Dale Mabry Highway just north of Ehrlich Road.

Pep Boys recently remodeled many of its stores, removing a lot of the sterile garage environment many locations were known for, and replacing them with lounges that include flat-screen televisions, a beverage station, and free high-speed Wi-Fi access.

The Philadelphia-based company, founded in 1921, has nearly 800 locations nationwide.

 

Parts of Veterans to close completely this weekend

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One of the main arteries connecting Pasco County with jobs to the south will have extensive closures and possible delays this coming weekend as road crews continue to convert the Veterans Expressway into cash-free tolling.

The northbound portion of the Veterans will be closed completely between Waters Avenue and Gunn Highway June 27 and June 28 from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. The southbound portion between the same two points will be closed June 28 and June 29 between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.

The Anderson Road ramps near there remain closed for reconstruction, and the southbound Waters Avenue on-ramp will be closed June 22-26 between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Closures will continue north near the Sugarwood Toll Plaza where full lane closures are expected in both directions between Ehrlich and Hutchison roads June 27 and June 28 between 9 p.m. and 10 a.m. Work on the Gunn Highway tolled off- and on-ramps is scheduled for June 22-24 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., which requires full ramp closures with detours. Motorists should use Ehrlich Road or Linebaugh Avenue to detour around the work, officials said.

The northbound off-ramp to Hillsborough Avenue will be closed June 23 from 8 p.m to midnight. Exiting northbound Veterans traffic will be routed off at the Independence Parkway exit to George Road, to Memorial Highway, to East Eisenhower Boulevard and finally back to Hillsborough Avenue.

The southbound on-ramp at Hillsborough will be closed June 23-24 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Southbound Veterans entrance traffic will remain on West Eisenhower, and proceed to the Veterans on-ramp at the Memorial Highway intersection.

The Linebaugh Avenue on- and off-ramps will be closed June 26-27 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., to install new bridge beams.

Complete removal of the toll plaza structures at the Anderson mainline toll plazas is anticipated to take several month. Installation of new toll gantries, demolition of ramp toll plazas, and removal of existing toll booths are anticipated to continue for the duration of the toll conversion project, currently scheduled for completion by late fall.

For more details on all the construction work on the Veterans, and its conversion to cash-less tolling, visit FloridasTurnpike.com.