When Innovation Preparatory Academy, a new charter school in Wesley Chapel, opens this fall, it will usher in new opportunities in technology and innovation for students, according to officials at the groundbreaking ceremony last week for the school. “It would be easy just to throw another school building up here. That’s not what you’re going to see,” said Jonathan Hage, the founder, chairman, … [Read more...]
School board eyes 104-acre site near Connected City
March 13, 2019 By
The Pasco County School Board has approved the acquisition of a 104-acre site near the Connected City area of Wesley Chapel. The school district anticipates there will a need for future schools as more residents move into Connected City, which includes Epperson Ranch and other future developments. The site is at the southeast corner of Curley and Kiefer roads, directly across the street … [Read more...]
All aboard for a bus tour of Pasco development
June 13, 2018 By
A bus tour through Pasco County connected the dots, and highlighted both new development, and notable educational institutions, such as Saint Leo University. The Central Pasco Association of REALTORS sponsored the tour to offer professionals in real estate and area residents an up-close look at what’s happening in Pasco. The bus tour on June 7 was the first, but CPAR officers say they plan for … [Read more...]
Crystal Lagoon debuts with a splash — from Michael Phelps
May 2, 2018 By
The weather was warm, the sun shining, and the crowd deep for the grand debut of the Crystal Lagoon at Epperson. The April 28 kickoff for the nation’s first lagoon was further buoyed with a special appearance from retired Olympic swimmer and gold medalist Michael Phelps. Phelps, the most decorated athlete in Olympics history with 28 medals — 23 gold, three silver, two bronze — serves as … [Read more...]
Pasco projects win big in 2019 state budget
March 28, 2018 By
Gov. Rick Scott signed off on an $88.7 billion state budget for fiscal year 2019, and had a light touch with his veto pen. He cut about $64 million in contrast to the $410 million that was axed from the previous year’s $82.4 billion budget. Pasco County got most of the items on its wish list, including $15 million for the Overpass Road interchange at Interstate 75, and $4.3 million for … [Read more...]
Pasco commissioners approve business park
March 21, 2018 By
The Pasco County Commission liked the business park, but couldn’t stand its proposed name. “Vibrant Sun (Business Park) would sound like I’m going to a casino,” Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said. So, instead of being called the Vibrant Sun Business Park, the new development site will be known as Overpass Business Park. The business park, which will be located on 91 acres at … [Read more...]
Bond issue for jail and fire rescue expansions?
February 7, 2018 By
Pasco County commissioners are considering a possible referendum to see voter approval for a 30-year bond issue that would pay for a jail expansion, four new fire stations, and the expansion of five existing fire stations. The $185 million bond issue, earmarked for public safety, would be placed before voters on the November ballot. County commissioners got preliminary data on the bond at a … [Read more...]
Crystal Lagoon toasted with champagne at ribbon cutting
January 24, 2018 By
The ribbon cutting for the Crystal Lagoon at Epperson — the first waterbody of its type in the United States — received warm applause from the crowd on an untypically chilly Florida morning. The weather is expected to be warmer on April 28, when Olympic swimmer and gold medalist Michael Phelps is scheduled to kick off festivities at the lagoon and the master-planned community of … [Read more...]
Dispute involves value for Mirada school site
January 3, 2018 By
Developers for master-planned communities Epperson and Mirada won unanimous approval for updates on their projects in the Connected City. But, the vote by Pasco County commissioners on Dec. 12 left unresolved a dispute between Metro Development Group and Pasco County Schools over the value of a Mirada school site. Also unresolved is the timing for construction of the Mirada school, which … [Read more...]
Epperson and Mirada approved for Connected City
January 3, 2018 By
Developers of Epperson and Mirada – the first Connected City communities – recently rezoned their master-planned communities. Pasco County commissioners approved the changes, which consolidated prior approvals under the umbrella of the state-approved Connected City corridor. The corridor covers about 7,800 acres in northeast Pasco County. Its borders are Interstate 75, State Road 52, and … [Read more...]
