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Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
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Magnolia Boulevard

Wesley Chapel Boulevard expansion plans progress

May 8, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

A construction time frame has been set for Pasco County’s plans to widen Wesley Chapel Boulevard to six lanes.

The expansion of the road — also known as County Road 54 – will be broken into two projects.

The first project begins just north of the road’s intersection with State Road 56 and extends to the north of its intersection with Magnolia Boulevard.

This is what Wesley Chapel Boulevard looks like now. Its widening to six lanes has been a long-awaited development among motorists who travel the busy road. The project is a response to Pasco County’s continual growth. The project is set to begin construction as early as the fall of 2021. (File)

The second project extends from the intersection at Progress Parkway to the intersection of Oakley Boulevard.

An initial 2003 study prompted the idea of expanding Wesley Chapel Boulevard to four lanes. However, later studies predicting an increase in density resulted in a call for more widening.

“Projections we did, before 2008, show that future growth is going to bring the volumes up to a point that we’ll need to have six lanes there,” said Panos Kontses, a Pasco County engineering manager.

The widening comes at a time when State Road 54 and State Road 56 are adding new commercial and residential buildings, in response to the area’s growing demands.

County engineers are finalizing the blueprints for the project.

“Right now, we are trying to finish the design plans,” Kontses said. “We are about 90 percent finished.”

Letters offering to purchase right of way have been sent to landowners along the route of the first project.

Most of this stretch is two lanes, without a median to divide opposing traffic.

The new construction adds a median, which will have openings so motorists can make turns.

Future plans for commercial growth and road widening on Old Pasco Road was considered in this project, the engineering manager said.

Kontses said the expansion of Old Pasco Road, which intersects with Wesley Chapel Boulevard, is expected to increase traffic.

The county’s plan to create a new interchange at Interstate 75 and Overpass Road — which feeds into Old Pasco Road — also will increase activity in the area,  Kontses added.

Motorists heading northbound on Wesley Chapel Boulevard, have to make a slight right curve when going past the intersection of Old Pasco Road.

Eastbound traffic already has three lanes from Old Pasco Road to Oakley Boulevard, but westbound traffic has just two lanes for a portion of that stretch.

To accommodate an expansion of a six-lane road, the existing median will be narrowed.

This median runs north of Magnolia Boulevard to Oakley Boulevard.

The projects’ additional amenities will include an 8-foot multi-use trail to the east side of Wesley Chapel Boulevard and 5-foot to 6-foot sidewalk on the west side. These will be installed in the area between State Road 56 to Magnolia Boulevard.

Also, traffic lights will be added at Wesley Chapel Boulevard’s intersections with Stagecoach Village Boulevard and Compark Drive.

A signal already has been installed at Grand Oaks Boulevard, but will undergo an upgrade during construction.

While it’s too early to tell what delays or closures may come, Kontses assured that contractors will use night construction in order to minimize disruption.

Both projects will be treated as one development during the construction phase. The project cost is estimated at $53 million.

“We assume construction should start sometime between the end of 2021 and [the] beginning of 2022,” Kontses stated.

Construction is expected to be completed by the summer of 2024.

Published May 08, 2019

Filed Under: Top Story Tagged With: Compark Drive, County Road 54, Grand Oaks Boulevard, Interstate 75, Magnolia Boulevard, Oakley Boulevard, Old Pasco Road, Overpass Road, Panos Kontses, Progress Parkway, Stagecoach Village Boulevard, State Road 56, Wesley Chapel Boulevard

Apartments on the rise at Brightwork Crossing

April 25, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Brightwork Crossing is going vertical.

Brick-and-mortar tower-like structures are rising on the 32-acre site, off State Road 54, west of Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

These are early signs of an apartment complex approved for up to 350 units. The complex will be a series of four-story buildings with more than 60 apartments per building, according to county records.

Permits also have been approved for a WaWa convenience store, a Burger King and the apartment’s clubhouse. Internal roads include Tapestry Way, Maren Way, Ashley Creek Trail and Canopy Creek Way.

Construction crews are building apartments at Brightwork Crossing, a mixed-use project at Wesley Chapel Boulevard and State Road 54. This view is from Old Cypress Creek Road. (Kathy Steele)

Alabama-based Arlington Properties and BW 54 56 Holdings LLC are partners in the development. Representatives for the companies weren’t available for comment.

Pasco County commissioners approved the mixed-use, commercial and residential project in August 2017. It’s been on the drawing board since 2015.

Brightwork Crossing is approved for the apartments, as well as 250,000 square feet of offices, retail and a 150-room hotel.

Firestone Complete Auto Care store has been named as a potential retail store.

Construction began in summer 2017 as bulldozers cleared and leveled the vacant land, located directly behind the Shell gas station and Walgreen’s drugstore.

Traffic spills into the area from all directions, off State Road 54, State Road 56, Wesley Chapel Boulevard and Interstate 75.

Brightwork Crossing will fill out a prime corner at this major juncture for new development, which already includes Tampa Premium Outlets, Cypress Creek Town Center, and Florida Hospital Center Ice.

The site where apartments are being built was bisected by Old State Road 54, and often used as a cut-through by motorists seeking to avoid long waits at Wesley Chapel and State Road 54 and State Road 56.

Old State Road 54 became part of a land swap that gave the county green space for its wildlife corridor, as well as room for a future park-and-ride facility.

Recent and future road projects are on tap to improve traffic flow along the area’s major corridors.

Brightwork Crossing will have access via Wesley Chapel Boulevard to Cypress Creek Town Center, at the center’s Pondside Drive entrance.

Wesley Chapel is partially widened, near State Road 56, and the county plans eventually to widen the boulevard to six lanes to just north of Magnolia Boulevard. There will be 4-foot bicycle lanes, a median, 5-foot sidewalks on the eastern side, and an 8-foot multi-use trail on the western side.

Construction is expected to begin in 2018 on a diverging diamond interchange at I-75 to improve traffic flow.

Published April 25, 2018

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News Tagged With: Arlington Properties, Ashley Creek Trail, Brightwork Crossing, Burger King, BW 54 56 Holdings, Canopy Creek Way, Cypress Creek Town Center, Firestone Complete Auto Care, Florida Hospital Center Ice, Interstate 75, Magnolia Boulevard, Maren Way, Old State Road 54, Pondside Drive, Shell, State Road 54, State Road 56, Tampa Premium Outlets, Tapestry Way, Walgreens, Wesley Chapel Boulevard

Development coming by Lexington Oaks

November 1, 2017 By Kathy Steele

New development is headed to vacant land fronting the Lexington Oaks subdivision.

The Pasco County Commission approved a change to the county’s comprehensive land use plan, and a zoning amendment, to allow for the development of a residential and commercial project at Lexington Oaks Boulevard and Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

The boulevard is within the wider Wesley Chapel area, at the epicenter of new growth in Pasco. Lexington Oaks Boulevard is the entry into the Lexington Oaks residential community.

Specialty Restaurants Corp., proposes to build up to 200 apartments or condominiums and retail, north and south of Lexington Boulevard at Wesley Chapel Boulevard. The road is the entry into Lexington Oaks subdivision. (Kathy Steele)

The California-based developer, Specialty Restaurants Corp., proposes to build up to 200 apartments or condominiums and 300,000 square feet of retail. An assisted living or independent living facility could be constructed, too.

Developers worked with the Lexington Oaks Homeowners Association on issues related to interconnections with existing roads, and roads internal to the proposed development.

This proposal replaces one previously considered by Specialty Restaurants that did not include a residential component.

“It would have been pretty much a straight retail project,” said Clarke Hobby, the attorney representing the developer.

Development will happen north and south of Lexington Boulevard, under the names of Lexington Oaks Plaza North and Lexington Oaks Plaza South. An approximately 5-acre parcel in the southern portion was carved out of the project to potentially be developed separately.

The southern parcel is about 46 acres; the northern parcel about 23 acres.

Internal roads and driveways within the south parcel and the separate 5-acre parcel will have connectivity to Lexington Oaks Boulevard. There also will be access to Progress Parkway at Wesley Chapel Boulevard, which has a traffic signal.

This would just be the latest new development in the area.

Wesley Chapel Boulevard is dotted with subdivisions, such as Stagecoach, Cypress Estates and Grand Oaks.

It is a major corridor linking to State Road 54 and State Road 56 to the south, and the rapid commercial and residential development at that intersection.

Tampa Premium Outlets and Cypress Creek Town Center are adding to the retail sector. New hotels are open or are under construction. An apartment and retail development called Brighthouse Crossings is under construction behind the Walgreens drugstore, near the same intersection.

As more development emerges, Pasco is preparing to widen Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

Cypress Creek Town Center developers recently completed road widening immediately north of the State Road 54 and State Road 56 intersection.

Future county plans call for widening Wesley Chapel Boulevard to a six-lane divided roadway, with additional traffic signals. Some segments of Wesley Chapel Boulevard to the south are two lanes, but the roadway at Lexington Oaks is four lanes.

The widening will extend to just north of Magnolia Boulevard.

Bike lanes, a median, sidewalks on the eastern side of the boulevard and a multi-use trail also are included in the road design.

Published November 1, 2017

Filed Under: Local News, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: Brighthouse Crossings, Clarke Hobby, Cypress Creek Town Center, Cypress Estates, Grand Oaks, Lexington Oaks, Lexington Oaks Boulevard, Magnolia Boulevard, Pasco County Commission, Progress Parkway, Specialty Restaurants Corp., Stagecoach, State Road 54, State Road 56, Tampa Premium Outlets, Walgreens, Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel Boulevard

Wesley Chapel Boulevard to be six lanes

August 24, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County now is on a path to widen County Road 54 — also known as Wesley Chapel Boulevard — to a six-lane divided road.

The move comes nearly 15 years after the county proposed widening the road from two lanes to four lanes.

The project also will include a multi-use trail on one side and a sidewalk on the other side.

No construction start date is announced, but the road’s design is about 90 percent complete.

Sierra Properties, the developers for Cypress Creek Town Center, are building an entrance into the mall off County Road 54, also known as Wesley Chapel Boulevard. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
Sierra Properties, the developers for Cypress Creek Town Center, are building an entrance into the mall off County Road 54, also known as Wesley Chapel Boulevard.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

The Pasco County Commission approved a road re-evaluation study on Aug. 9, which is the next step in what has been a drawn out process.

A 2003 study that looked at future traffic needs anticipated widening the road to four lanes. At the time, data showed that by 2025 slightly more than 20,000 vehicles a day would travel the corridor.

More recent data estimates that the average daily vehicles by 2040 will exceed 52,000.

“(The original study) didn’t capture all of the growth going on in this dynamic part of the county,” said Mike Campo, of Kisinger Campo & Associates. The Tampa-based engineering firm was hired in 2008 to provide design services for the road project.

The extra traffic lanes take into account the explosive growth at an intersection where State Road 54, State Road 56 and County Road 54 meet up. The intersection is just west of the Interstate 75 interchange.

All-around growth is evident at Tampa Premium Outlets, the soon-to-open Florida Hospital Center Ice sports complex and Holiday Inn Express, and the soon-to-rise Cypress Creek Town Center.

A newly announced project, Brightworks Crossing, could add a maximum of 350 apartments, offices, self-storage and a 150-room hotel on vacant land across from a planned entrance into Cypress Creek Town Center.

The mall’s developers currently are building the entrance as part of the initial roadwork to improve County Road 54.

As part of the study, residents weighed in with their opinions at a workshop held in January at Veterans Elementary School. They expressed frustrations with a road that no longer can handle the volume of motorists moving north and south along County Road 54.

Getting in and out of subdivisions, such as Stagecoach and Grand Oaks, means long waits and safety risks, they said.

“We are tired of playing Russian Roulette every time we leave or enter the subdivision (Grand Oaks),” wrote Robert Potts in a written comment from the workshop.

Beyond the mall entrance, the county plans to widen the corridor to six lanes to just north of Magnolia Boulevard. There will be 4-foot bicycle lanes, a median, 5-foot sidewalks on the eastern side, and an 8-foot multi-use trail on the western side.

No additional right of way will be purchased.

The widening will take advantage of rights of way donated to the county from Stagecoach and Grand Oaks subdivisions. Three traffic signals are planned at Stagecoach, at Grand Oaks near Veterans Elementary School, and at Cypress Creek Town Center.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore pressed for a traffic signal at Compark 75, an industrial park off Wesley Chapel Boulevard. Campo and Pasco County engineer Chris Wert said all intersections would be reviewed.

However, because Compark is less than a half-mile from the Grand Oaks signal, it isn’t certain the industrial park could meet distance requirements.

Compark currently is expanding its facilities, and Moore said nearby vacant land could be developed in the future.

“We’re talking basically about an employment center there,” Moore said. “People are going in and out of there on a daily basis.”

Published August 24, 2016

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: Chris Wert, ComPark 75, County Road 54, Cypress Creek Town Center, Florida Hospital Center Ice, Grand Oaks, Holiday Inn Express, Interstate 75, Kisinger Campo & Associates, Magnolia Boulevard, Mike Campo, Mike Moore, Pasco County Commission, Stagecoach, State Road 54, State Road 56, Tampa Premium Outlets, Veterans Elementary School, Wesley Chapel Boulevard

Amici Pizza plans stand-alone location

February 3, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Owners of Amici Pizza & Deli are planning to build a new stand-alone restaurant, with additional retail space, on Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

The new restaurant is a short distance from the existing Amici restaurant in Grand Oaks Square, at Wesley Chapel and Pet Lane.

Andrea and Josephine Mannino, are heading toward a construction start of Amici Plaza in spring with an opening likely by the end of 2016.

Pasco County records show a conceptual plan with about 3,000 square feet for the restaurant, and about 1,800 square feet for retail.

“We’d like to have our own building and a bigger kitchen,” said Andrea Mannino.

No decisions have been made on the additional retail space, he said.

The site is located at the corner of Magnolia Boulevard and Wesley Chapel Boulevard, which is also known as County Road 54.

Pasco County is moving forward with acquisition of right-of-way along County Road 54 to prepare for the expansion of the two-lane road into a four-lane road at the junction of State Road 56 and State Road 54 to Progress Parkway.

The road design also would allow for future expansion to six lanes.

County records show that construction on the $46 million project would begin in fall 2018 and would be completed in fall 2019.

To accommodate the placement of the restaurant and plaza, the Manninos’ requested the county reduce by 9 feet the amount of land acquired for the road project, and also requested a reduction in building setbacks.

The county’s Development Review Committee has recommended approval to the Pasco County Commission, which has the final say. Commissioners are scheduled to consider the request on Feb. 9.

At the same meeting, commissioners also will consider the restaurant’s request for a beer and wine license.

Construction of Amici Plaza will adopt “low impact development principles,” said Stuart Artman, director of engineering projects for Moody Engineering, Inc.

Instead of an open-air storm water pond, the site would have an underground storage vault to capture and disperse rainwater. That can decrease potential flooding problems, and provides more area for amenities such as a sidewalk around the restaurant that is separate from the public sidewalk built along the roadway.

The site also places parking spaces to the side and rear of the restaurant, another “smart growth” trend in development.

“It makes for a more compact and walkable site, which the county is encouraging,” said Chief Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein.

Published February 3, 2016 

 

Filed Under: Local News, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: Amici Pizza & Deli, Amici Plaza, Andrea Mannino, County Road 54, David Golstein, Grand Oaks Square, Josephine Manino, Magnolia Boulevard, Moody Engineering, Pasco County Commission, Pet Lane, Progress Parkway, State Road 54, State Road 56, Stuart Artman, Wesley Chapel Boulevard

Wesley Chapel Boulevard to be widened

January 20, 2016 By Kathy Steele

The developer of Cypress Creek Town Center could issue bids for a redesign along County Road 54, also known as Wesley Chapel Boulevard, as early as February.

If that happens, construction could begin in April to widen a stretch of roadway from its intersection with State Road 56 north past a planned entry in the mall.

“That’s optimistic,” said Brent Whitley, vice president of Sierra Properties Inc. “But, we want to be completed by the end of the year.”

Additional roadwork by Pasco County might not happen until 2020, but area residents are eager to see a start on easing traffic woes on the existing two-lane portion of Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

Residents listen as Michael Campo, roadway project engineer with Kisinger Campo & Associates, answers questions about the proposed road design for County Road 54. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
Residents listen as Michael Campo, roadway project engineer with Kisinger Campo & Associates, answers questions about the proposed road design for County Road 54.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

More than 100 residents attended a workshop on Jan.15 to check out the proposed road project. County transportation planners and representatives of Kisinger Campo & Associates were on hand at Veterans Elementary School to answer questions and listen to input on the road design.

The goal is to build a six-lane divided roadway from north of State Road 56 to north of Magnolia Boulevard. The project will provide three 12-foot traffic lanes on both sides of a median. There also will be bicycle lanes, a five-foot-wide sidewalk on the west side of the road, and an eight-foot sidewalk on the east side.

On the county’s part, completion of the roadway’s design is expected in 2016. Construction to start where the mall’s expanded roadwork ends won’t happen until right-of-way acquisition is completed. That process will begin in 2016. Funding for the project is included in Pasco County’s five-year capital improvement budget.

Sierra Properties, the mall developer, is responsible for that portion of the road that runs past the mall, located north of State Road 56 at the intersection with Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

A traffic signal is planned at the mall’s entrance.

Most of the residents at the workshop expressed frustrations about increasing traffic congestion, long waits to turn onto Wesley Chapel Boulevard as they exit their subdivisions and concerns about right-of-way acquisition.

Currently, the road has six lanes where Wesley Chapel Boulevard and State Road 56 meet, but it quickly tapers to two lanes beyond the mall’s property.

“The main issue is being able to get in and out of Grand Oaks,” said Jim Clark, who moved to Grand Oaks in 1997. “It’s a tremendous problem especially going east.”

A wait of 10 minutes or more to exit the subdivision is not unusual, he said.

“We really do need a stop light,” said his wife, Trisha Clark.

The couple will get their wish.

County planners said new traffic signals would be installed at Grand Oaks and at Stagecoach, in addition to the light at the mall.

New growth, both residential and commercial, gets the blame for the increasing traffic woes.

“Because of the expansion of new car dealerships, it’s growing greatly, which is a good thing,” said Ed Rogers, who lives in Grand Oaks. “But, now we have trucks at all hours of the night. The noise will be even more.”

Rogers and his neighbor, Kay Kleinhample, also had concerns that the county would buy up right-of-way that would take down Grand Oaks’ entrance wall, and even all or part of their homes.

That won’t be the case, according to county planners.

Instead, the right-of-way still needed for the project will come from the east side of Wesley Chapel Boulevard. That could affect some businesses, but no homes will be lost, they said.

Concerns still remain about the timing and how the redesign will work.

“What are they going to do to make our living a little easier?” Kleinhample said.

Published January 20, 2016

Filed Under: Top Story Tagged With: Brent Whitley, County Road 54, Cypress Creek Town Center, Ed Rogers, Grand Oaks, Jim Clark, Kay Kleinhample, Kisinger Campo & Associates, Magnolia Boulevard, Sierra Properties Inc., Stagecoach, State Road 56, Trisha Clark, Veterans Elementary School, Wesley Chapel Boulevard

Wesley Chapel Boulevard workshop set

January 13, 2016 By Kathy Steele

New growth in and around the intersections of State Road 56, County Road 54 and Interstate 75 is generating traffic jams.

The developments just keep coming.

Tampa Premium Outlets opened in October.

Culver’s and Cheddar’s Casual Café – are under construction.

Motorists round a curve leading from two lanes of County Road 54 into a more expansive four-lane divided roadway, with turn lanes, at the intersection with State Road 56. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
Motorists round a curve leading from two lanes of County Road 54 into a more expansive four-lane divided roadway, with turn lanes, at the intersection with State Road 56.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

Site plans are filed, or on the way, for additional retail, hotels and offices as part of Cypress Creek Town Center.

Florida Hospital Center Ice — a sports complex featuring ice rinks and other sports courts – also is under construction.

One proposed traffic fix calls for widening County Road 54, which is also known as Wesley Chapel Boulevard, from north of State Road 56 to north of Magnolia Boulevard.

A public workshop will be held on Jan. 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., to discuss the estimated $53 million project and to gather public input on the road’s design.

The workshop will be held at Veterans Elementary School, 26940 Progress Parkway in Wesley Chapel.

People can view maps of the project, as well as ask questions of Pasco County officials and consultants from Kisinger Campo & Associates.

Representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation also are invited.

“It is a very big priority,” said Deborah Bolduc, the county’s program administrator for engineering services.

An initial study completed in 2003 recommended widening the two-lane road to match the now widened portion of the county road on its approach to the intersection with State Road 56.

Florida Hospital Center Ice, a new hockey and sports complex, has begun construction east of Interstate 75 and north of State Road 56. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Florida Hospital Center Ice, a new hockey and sports complex, has begun construction east of Interstate 75 and north of State Road 56.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

But, for motorists who turn off State Road 56 on to County Road 54, it’s only a short jaunt just beyond Old Cypress Creek Road before the four-lane, divided highway suddenly narrows to two lanes.

In the past decade more homes and businesses have been added to the area. Area residents often confront long waits along the road’s two-lane stretch waiting to navigate into the flow of traffic.

County officials decided to give the public a new look at the project and another opportunity to offer their thoughts.

“There could be some tweaks made based as a result of comments,” Bolduc said.

The widening project will be presented to the Pasco County Commission in spring. If approved, funds are budgeted for the next two years for design and right of way purchases.

Construction currently is scheduled for 2022, though Bolduc said that date could be pushed forward depending on availability of funding.

Published January 13, 2016 

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: Cheddar's Casual Cafe, County Road 54, Culver's, Cypress Creek Town Center, Deborah Bolduc, Florida Hospital Center Ice, Interstate 75, Kisinger Campo & Associates, Magnolia Boulevard, Old Cypress Creek Road, Pasco County Commission, Progress Parkway, State Road 56, Stater Road 54, Tampa Premium Outlets, Veterans Elementary School, Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel Boulevard

Plunging gas prices take a breather

October 6, 2014 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Notice gas going up at your favorite fill-up station? Don’t worry, it’s happening everywhere.

Maintenance at refineries along the Gulf of Mexico created a spike in gas prices this past week, pushing the cost of a gallon of gas up nearly a dime in one night Wednesday in some places around the state. But it did calm down elsewhere, and Florida reported an average of a 2-cent rise since last Sunday.

“Last week was a temporary setback in what should otherwise be a month of falling as prices,” said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins, in a release. “In October, refineries reduce output to conduct maintenance on their systems. They choose this month because fewer people are driving, and demand for gasoline is lower. However, there are more refineries along the Gulf coast doing maintenance compared to last year, and that put a temporary strain on supplies, causing prices to rise.”

However, that maintenance work should be done within the next week or so, Jenkins said, and that should cause gas prices to drop 20 cents by Thanksgiving.

If it weren’t for the maintenance work, gas prices would be at the lowest levels in a long time. The price of a barrel of oil settled at $89.74 last week, the first time it’s closed below $90 since April 2013. The United States remains the lead oil producer in the world because of the shale boom, and domestic crude production is at its highest level since March 1986, according to a report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Gas prices in Florida averaged $3.31 Sunday, up 2 cents from last week but still down 5 cents from a month ago. It’s even with prices from a year ago.

Marathon had the lowest gas prices in the Land O’ Lakes area Sunday, charging $3.17 at its station on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard and Ehren Cutoff. The highest was $3.29 at the Shell station on State Road 54 and State Road 56, according to GasBuddy.

However, prices were much better in Wesley Chapel, with $3.09 reported at the Marathon station at Wesley Chapel Boulevard near Magnolia Boulevard, and at the Shell station on County Road 54 and Oakley Boulevard. Prices peaked at $3.29 at two stations Willow Oaks Drive and State Road 56.

Gas prices in Lutz ranged from $3.19 at Citgo on North Dale Mabry Highway and Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, to $3.34 at the Shell station at Dale Mabry and Van Dyke Road.

Prices in Zephyrhills were pretty uniform, with several stations reporting gas at $3.22 or $3.23 over the weekend, according to GasBuddy. The 7-Eleven on Fifth Avenue had the highest-priced gas, but it’s $3.29 was not that far above everyone else.

Dade City was a little cheaper with $3.19 reported at Clark on U.S. 301 near Long Avenue, and at Sunoco on U.S. 301 near Jordan Road. The most expensive there was $3.29 at two stations not far from downtown.

 

Filed Under: Updates Tagged With: 7-Eleven, AAA, Citgo, Clark, County Road 54, Dade City, Ehren Cutoff, Fifth Avenue, Florida, GasBuddy, Gulf of Mexico, Jordan Road, Land O' Lakes, Land O' Lakes Boulevard, Long Avenue, Lutz, Magnolia Boulevard, Marathon, Mark Jenkins, North Dale Mabry Highway, Oakley Boulevard, Shell, State Road 54, State Road 56, Sunoco, U.S. 301, U.S. Energy Information Administration, United States, Van Dyke Road, Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel Boulevard, Willow Oaks Drive, Zephyrhills

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January 26, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

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01/29/2021 – One Book, One Night

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will host “One Book, One Night” on Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m., for teens and adults. Participants can start online as the beginning excerpt of the book “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant, is read in English, Spanish and French. For information and to register, visit the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 01/29/2021 – One Book, One Night

01/30/2021 – Toddler craft

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host a virtual craft for toddlers on Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. Participants can learn how to make a paper plate shark. To view the video, visit Facebook.com/cplib. … [Read More...] about 01/30/2021 – Toddler craft

01/31/2021 – Nova Era performs

The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, will host a live performance by the classical music group Nova Era on Jan. 31 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The ensemble performs in handcrafted 18th-century costumes and ornate, powdered wigs. Gates open at 2 p.m. There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. This is an outdoor event. Guests should bring lawn chairs. No cooler or pets. Masks are required inside the buildings. Social distancing will be in place. Advance tickets are $25, or $30 at the door (if available). For information and tickets, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org. … [Read More...] about 01/31/2021 – Nova Era performs

02/01/2021 – Yarn hearts

The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will offer a craft kit for adults on Feb. 1, all day. Pick up a kit, while supplies last, to learn to make a yarn heart. For information, call 352-567-3576. … [Read More...] about 02/01/2021 – Yarn hearts

02/03/2021 – Jewelry-making

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer a virtual jewelry-making class for adults on Feb. 3 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., via Zoom. Participants can learn how to make a bracelet or necklace with strung beads, and how to attach a purchased clasp. Minimal supplies (there is a list) are required. No experience is necessary. Registration is a must by emailing the South Holiday Library at . … [Read More...] about 02/03/2021 – Jewelry-making

02/04/2021 – Dungeons & Dragons

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present “Taste of Dungeons & Dragons” on Feb. 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. During the month of February, Pasco libraries and Parks & Recreation are teaming up to host a beginner-friendly virtual environment for ages 17 and older who want to learn about the cooperative story-telling game that uses dice and rules to complete missions. Every registered player will receive a starter kit and guidance. Each week will feature a new Dungeon Master to lead the players. There is a limit of six players per session, and a limit of one session per player. Players must have computer and internet access, and a (free) Roll20 account. Registration is required. For information, contact Amaris Papadopoulos at 727-861-3020 or . … [Read More...] about 02/04/2021 – Dungeons & Dragons

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LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
26 Jan

Burgess discusses pandemic response. https://buff.ly/2MbZu3U

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LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
25 Jan

Pasco commissioners clash on apartment request. https://buff.ly/362w8fp

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Top Stories

Tampa prepares for Super Bowl

74th annual Pasco County Fair is a go

Keeping community life alive, despite COVID-19

Zephyrhills plans to seek state funds for three projects

Extra help to be provided for struggling students

Shedding light on human trafficking

Parent questions school quarantine policy

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., lives on

Strong housing outlook predicted through 2021

This tiny, tangy fruit tastes great in pie

NAMI/Pasco addresses growing need for its services

Pasco commissioners clash on apartment request

Burgess discusses pandemic response

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Check out our other stories for the week

Tampa prepares for Super Bowl

74th annual Pasco County Fair is a go

Keeping community life alive, despite COVID-19

Zephyrhills plans to seek state funds for three projects

Extra help to be provided for struggling students

Shedding light on human trafficking

Parent questions school quarantine policy

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., lives on

Strong housing outlook predicted through 2021

This tiny, tangy fruit tastes great in pie

NAMI/Pasco addresses growing need for its services

Pasco commissioners clash on apartment request

Burgess discusses pandemic response

Sports Stories

Locals make impact during 2020 college football season

All-Pasco County girls fall awards announced

Banner soccer season

Local runner claims national title

Pasco County athletes compete in 2020 Florida Senior Games

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