• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
  • Online E-Editions
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits

Old Cypress Creek Road

Cypress Creek plaza still expanding

January 2, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The pace of development at Cypress Creek Town Center is picking up, with new shops and restaurants under construction at two sites within the town center.

Most of the action is taking place along Sierra Center Boulevard, a main artery that cuts through the town center, which is located at State Road 56 and Grand Cypress Drive. Two new shopping strips, each fronting Sierra Center Boulevard, will significantly boost the retail development.

Signs staked amid construction activity herald the coming of HomeGoods, Five Below and Burlington. County records also show additional shops will open, including Hobby Lobby, Sleep Number, Pacific Dental, Verizon Wireless, Dollar Tree and America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses.

Restaurants include Blaze Pizza, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Walk-on’s Bistreaux & Bar. Earth Fare, a specialty grocery store, is coming, too.

The town center is part of a mixed-use project of retail, offices, hotel and residential under development by Sierra Properties Inc.

The new retail at Cypress Creek will add to established shops and restaurants that line the south side of Sierra Center, including Men’s Wearhouse, Great Clips, T-Mobile, Noire Nail Bar, Ford’s Garage, Bahama Breeze Grill and Chuy’s Tex-Mex.

Even here, new retail is coming, including Sweetea Café. The restaurant’s menu will have freshly brewed bubble tea, and homemade Vietnamese food and snacks.

The new 130-room Hyatt Place Hotel & Sierra Conference Center opened recently at the far eastern end of the boulevard.

On the south side of State Road 56, Sierra Properties also will gain an Aldi grocery store, at 2215 Sun Vista Drive, on a parcel fronting the Tampa Premium Outlets.

The bounty of new shops, restaurants and offices at Cypress Creek represents a fraction of the development rush that is remaking Pasco County.

It is all part of the warp and weave of bringing a mix of retail, office, hotel, industrial and retail to a county with a long-held reputation as a bedroom community.

Development is bringing rooftops, retail, offices, manufacturing and jobs to the county.

“That’s refreshing,” said Bill Cronin, president/CEO of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.

More development brings new residents, more jobs and added amenities, and it all adds up to a county where people “live, work and play,” Cronin said. “They don’t have to get on the road every day. They don’t have to make the commute.”

More development is on the way in the area surrounding Cypress Creek Town Center, too.

One recent arrival is At Home Décor Superstore on an outparcel at Tampa Premium Outlets.

To the immediate west of Cypress Creek, Brightwork Crossing is well under construction of up to 350 apartments. A WaWa gas station and El Dorado Furniture store also are planned.

The Shoppes at Cypress Creek is being proposed for development at the northwest corner of State Road 54 and Old Cypress Creek Road. Site plans filed with the county last summer show two 9,000-square-foot buildings separated by a breezeway. A “quick service” restaurant also is proposed for an outparcel at the site.

The following stores are scheduled to  open in 2019 at Cypress Creek Town Center:

Hobby Lobby
Plans are for a February 2019 opening, according to an email from Hobby Lobby representatives.

Hobby Lobby is primarily an arts and crafts store, but it offers a broad array of merchandise and hobby materials, including picture-framing, jewelry-making, floral and wedding supplies, cards and party favors, and home accessories.

The Oklahoma-based national chain began with a $600 investment in a home-based venture by owners David and Barbara Green. They opened a 300-square-foot store in Oklahoma City in 1972, according to the company’s website. Today, Hobby Lobby has more than 800 stores in 47 states.

Burlington
Burlington traces its roots to 1924 and a wholesale operation selling women’s coats and junior suits.

Its first outlet store opened in 1972 in Burlington, New Jersey, according to the company website.

Today, Burlington sells clothes, shoes and other accessories at discounted prices to women, men and children.

HomeGoods
The Massachusetts-based discount home furnishing store is part of the family of TJX Companies Inc., which includes TJ Maxx.

Five Below
Five Below sells everything from cellphone cases and chargers to yoga pants, footballs, candy and seasonal items for Halloween, Easter and Christmas.

Sleep Number
The Minnesota-based national chain sells mattresses, beds and bedding.

Pacific Dental Services
The California-based chain provides a full-range of dental services. It has more than 630 offices in 20 states.

Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless sells phones and accessories, as well as tablets and “fitbit” products.

America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses
America’s Best offers discounted services, including eye examinations, glasses and contacts.

Dollar Tree
The discount store traces its roots back more than 60 years to the Ben Franklin Variety store, and a concept of selling products for $1. It offers a wide array of products, including drinks, toys, candy, school supplies, home décor, gifts and cards.

Chipotle Mexican Grill
The Denver-based fast-casual restaurant is known for its burritos and tacos, and a philosophy of preparing meals-to-order with fresh ingredients. The company has more than 2,000 restaurants nationwide.

Walk-on Bistreaux & Bar
Walk-on Bistreaux & Bar is a New Orleans-based sports bar that is co-owned by New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees. It was founded by business partners who were walk-ons to the Louisiana State University’s basketball team. They opened their first restaurant near LSU’s Tiger Stadium.

Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza is a California-based fast-casual restaurant that serves made-to-order, fresh-from-scratch pizzas.

Earth Fare
The North Carolina-based specialty grocery store stocks its stores with organic, natural and local foods.

By Kathy Steele

Published January 2, 2019

Filed Under: Local News, Lutz News, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: Aldi, America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, At Home Decor Superstore, Bahama Breeze Grill, Bill Cronin, Blaze Pizza, Brightwork Crossing, Burlington, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Chuy's Tex Mex, Cypress Creek, Cypress Creek Town Center, Dollar Tree, Earth Fare, El Dorado Furniture, Five Below, Ford's Garage, Grand Cypress Drive, Great Clips, Hobby Lobby, HomeGoods, Hyatt Place Hotel & Sierra Conference Center, Men's Wearhouse, Noire Nail Bar, Old Cypress Creek Road, Pacific Dental, Pasco Economic Development Council, Sierra Center Boulevard, Sierra Properties, Sleep Number, State Road 54, State Road 56, Sun Vista Drive, Sweetea Cafe, T-Mobile, Tampa Premium Outlets, The Shoppes at Cypress Creek, Verizon Wireless, Walk-on's Bistreaux & Bar, Wawa

Brightwork Crossing under construction on State Road 54

August 2, 2017 By Kathy Steele

Brightwork Crossing is a mixed-use development under construction on about 32 acres close to Tampa Premium Outlets and Cypress Creek Town Center.

Up to 350 apartments, 250,000 square feet of offices, retail and self-storage, and a 150-room hotel can be built. Site plans are on file with Pasco County for a WaWa convenience store, Firestone Complete Auto Care store and Burger King.

A sign along Old State Road 54 marks off the site where construction workers are preparing about 32 acres for residential and commercial development – Brightwork Crossing.
(Kathy Steele)

The site is on the north side of State Road 54, west of Wesley Chapel Boulevard, directly behind the Shell gas station and Walgreen’s drugstore.

A handful of cows that once grazed on grass and weeds are gone. Bulldozers and cranes are leveling the ground. A single residence on the property is being torn down.

The complex will go up in the midst of one of Pasco County’s fastest growing areas, at an intersection where State Road 54, State Road 56 and Wesley Chapel Boulevard meet up. The State Road 56 interchange at Interstate 75 is immediately to the west.

Tampa Premium Outlets on the south side of State Road 56, and Cypress Creek Town Center, on the north side, are at the epicenter of new shops and restaurants. More are on the way, as are offices and hotels.

Tampa-based BW 54 56 Holdings LLC, and Alabama-based Arlington Properties Inc., are partnering on Brightwork Crossing.

Representatives for those companies weren’t available for comment.

The Pasco County Commission approved the development in 2016. The entire site is bordered by Wesley Chapel Boulevard, State Road 54, and the one-lane paved, Old Cypress Creek Road.

At hearings on the matter, traffic concerns became an issue.

The site is bisected by Old State Road 54, a popular cut-through for motorists seeking to avoid traffic jams at the intersection of Wesley Chapel Boulevard and State Road 54/56.

Old State Road 54 right of way was part of a land swap between the county, landowners and developers. It gave the county green space for its wildlife corridors network, and also room for a future park-and-ride facility for commuters.

A dead-end portion of the road to the north has been opened, and rebuilt to provide cross access, via Wesley Chapel Boulevard, into the town center. Sierra Properties, the town center’s developers, paid for the roadwork as part of its construction of a town center entrance, off Wesley Chapel.

The county plans to eventually widen Wesley Chapel to a six-lane divided road. And, a diverging diamond interchange is expected to replace the existing interchange at I-75 to ease traffic congestion. Construction is expected to begin in 2018 on the interchange.

Published August 2, 2017

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News Tagged With: Arlington Properties Inc., Brightwork Crossing, Burger King, BW 54 56 Holdings LLC, Cypress Creek Town Center, Firestone Complete Auto Care, Interstate 75, Old Cypress Creek Road, Old State Road 54, Pasco County Commission, Shell, Sierra Properties, State Road 54, State Road 56, Tampa Premium Outlets, Walgreens, Wawa, Wesley Chapel Boulevard

New apartments and offices approved

August 17, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Brightworks Crossing — a mixed-use project calling for offices, self-storage units, apartments, and a hotel with up to 150 rooms, landed on the desks of Pasco County’s planners nearly a year ago.

And, on Aug. 9, the Pasco County Commission pushed the project along with a series of approvals.

Commissioners unanimously agreed to amend the county’s comprehensive land use plan and to rezone the land. They also approved an agreement for a land swap between the county, the landowners and the developers.

The land deal will give the county green space for its network of wildlife corridors, and room for a park-and-ride lot with 25 parking spaces for future transit commuters.

A car passes along Old State Road 54, at Old Cypress Creek Road. The route is a popular cut-through to avoid traffic at State Road 56. (File Photo)
A car passes along Old State Road 54, at Old Cypress Creek Road. The route is a popular cut-through to avoid traffic at State Road 56.
(File Photo)

The site is directly behind the Walgreen’s drug store, at Wesley Chapel Boulevard and the State Road 56/State Road 54 intersection.

The intersection is a high growth area populated by Tampa Premium Outlets and new restaurants on the south side of State Road 56, and on the north side of the road, the future Cypress Creek Town Center.

“It’s a major intersection. A lot of thought, evaluation and analysis has gone into this project and its impact on the intersection,” said Matt Armstrong, the county’s executive planner. “We’ve put together a package that actually improves this area and will help in the long run.”

Brightworks Crossing received approval for a maximum of 350 apartments, 250,000 square-feet of offices, and self-storage and the 150-room hotel.

A road redesign also is built into the project for Old State Road 54, which bisects the site. The short stretch of road is a popular cut-through for motorists coming down Wesley Chapel who want to avoid traffic at the State Road 56 intersection.

County commissioners agreed to close the existing cut-through to accommodate the land swap and allow developers to build a new road in its place. The new road will be open to the public.

Nearby, work is underway by Sierra Properties to build an entrance into Cypress Creek Town Center, a future mall at the northeast corner of State Road 56 and Wesley Chapel Boulevard, also called County Road 54.

One of the mall entrances is across from Brightworks Crossing, on County Road 54.

In the long term, the county has plans to turn the two-lane stretch of Wesley Chapel Boulevard into a six-lane divided highway with sidewalks and a multi-use trail.

The impact of traffic and road redesigns raised concerns for Sierra Properties’ developers and John Narcisi, who owns JN Electric on Old Cypress Creek Road.

Narcisi is the only business on Old Cypress Creek, which also is off Wesley Chapel and intersects with Old State Road 54.

“Traffic will increase on Old Cypress Creek Road which runs in front of my property,” said Narcisi.

Attorney Clarke Hobby, representing Sierra Properties, said the proposed new road through the site should continue to function as a cut-through that can help ease traffic congestion.

“We think that’s an important issue, and the staff needs to look at that closely,” he said.

Published August 17, 2016

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News, Lutz News, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: Brightworks Crossing, Clarke Hobby, County Road 54, Cypress Creek Town Center, JN Electric, John Narcisi, Matt Armstrong, Old Cypress Creek Road, Old State Road 54, Pasco County Commission, Sierra Properties, State Road 54, State Road 56, Tampa Premium Outlets, Walgreens, 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

Primary Sidebar

Zephyrhills Brewing Company

Foodie Friday Gallery

Search

Sponsored Content

A New Look For 2021 From Tampa Surgical Arts

January 12, 2021 By Kelli Carmack

Tampa Surgical Arts offers cosmetic treatments that give patients confidence and makes them look years younger. Two of … [Read More...] about A New Look For 2021 From Tampa Surgical Arts

More Posts from this Category

Archives

What’s Happening

01/21/2021 – Gasparilla History

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will host a virtual session entitled “The History of Gasparilla” on Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m., for teens and adults. Those that tune in can learn the legend of Jose Gaspar, intertwined with facts, fallacies and fantasy. The program will be presented by Carl Zielonka in partnership with the Tampa Bay History Center. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 01/21/2021 – Gasparilla History

01/21/2021 – Math at home

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will offer a virtual “Fun Wise Math at Home” on Jan. 21 at 11 a.m., for ages 3 to 6. The Fun Wise program uses numbers, counting, patterns, geometry and early arithmetic to make math come to life through games. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org … [Read More...] about 01/21/2021 – Math at home

01/22/2021 – Chickpea dish

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present “Foodie Feast: Chickpeas” on Jan. 22 for anyone who wants to learn to make a tasty dish of chickpeas. The prerecorded video can be viewed between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . … [Read More...] about 01/22/2021 – Chickpea dish

01/23/2021 – Adult craft

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer a virtual craft at home for adults on Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. Participants can learn to make fireworks in a jar. To view the video, visit Facebook.com/cplib. … [Read More...] about 01/23/2021 – Adult craft

01/23/2021 – Dumpling soup

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present “Cook-a-Book: Soup” on Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. This month the book, “Dumpling Soup” by Jama Kim Rattigan will be featured. Participants can hear the story and then learn to make a kid-friendly dumpling soup. For information and to see the presentation, visit Facebook.com/regencyparklibrary. … [Read More...] about 01/23/2021 – Dumpling soup

01/23/2021 – Hobby Circle

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer a Hobby Circle on Jan. 23 at 3 p.m., for anyone who wants to share a hobby or learn about a new one — from a work of art to a new recipe, to a favorite video game. The group will meet via Zoom. For information, email . … [Read More...] about 01/23/2021 – Hobby Circle

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz NewsFollow

The Laker/Lutz News
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
10h

400 apartments proposed on Wesley Chapel Boulevard. https://buff.ly/38IxVb6

Reply on Twitter 1352299929759326208Retweet on Twitter 1352299929759326208Like on Twitter 1352299929759326208Twitter 1352299929759326208
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
20 Jan

"It’s Not Wednesday Until You Read The Laker!" This week's papers are out in print & online https://buff.ly/2UTt6EA

Reply on Twitter 1351958106473959428Retweet on Twitter 1351958106473959428Like on Twitter 1351958106473959428Twitter 1351958106473959428
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
19 Jan

Zephyrhills development yields roadway concerns. https://buff.ly/2LxlLsS

Reply on Twitter 1351575284949143552Retweet on Twitter 13515752849491435521Like on Twitter 13515752849491435521Twitter 1351575284949143552
Load More...

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Top Stories

NAMI/Pasco addresses growing need for its services

Pasco commissioners clash on apartment request

Burgess discusses pandemic response

Vaccine demand continues to outpace supply

Input from law enforcement welcome in planning efforts

Zephyrhills CRA has full plate to start new year

City of Zephyrhills gives employee service awards

Pasco allocates funds for new central office design

Don’t forget: This year’s Kumquat Festival is set for March 27

Hillsborough County’s Sunshine Line helps seniors get around

The Big Shred IV helps people dispose of documents

Pasco’s building boom creates a backlog in permits

Enjoying entertainment, and sampling syrup

Secondary Sidebar

More Stories

Check out our other stories for the week

NAMI/Pasco addresses growing need for its services

Pasco commissioners clash on apartment request

Burgess discusses pandemic response

Vaccine demand continues to outpace supply

Input from law enforcement welcome in planning efforts

Zephyrhills CRA has full plate to start new year

City of Zephyrhills gives employee service awards

Pasco allocates funds for new central office design

Don’t forget: This year’s Kumquat Festival is set for March 27

Hillsborough County’s Sunshine Line helps seniors get around

The Big Shred IV helps people dispose of documents

Pasco’s building boom creates a backlog in permits

Enjoying entertainment, and sampling syrup

Sports Stories

All-Pasco County girls fall awards announced

Banner soccer season

Local runner claims national title

Pasco County athletes compete in 2020 Florida Senior Games

South Pasco cheer program wins national titles

Copyright © 2021 Community News Publications Inc.

   