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Sixth Street

Zephyrhills plans to seek state funds for three projects

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The City of Zephyrhills has decided to seek state funding for three improvement projects during the 2021 state legislative session.

Those projects involve improving Seventh Street; expanding the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center; and, improving a runway at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. The total costs for all three projects is estimated at $11.6 million.

This is a rendering of what a complete roadway would include, traversing Seventh Street from C Avenue north to U.S. 301. The 1.5-mile section would be converted from a single two-lane, one-way northbound road to a two-lane, two-way road with the addition of a multi-use trail, a sidewalk, on-street parking (where practical), and drainage improvements. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

The Zephyrhills City Council unanimously approved staff’s recommendation to submit funding requests for these projects at a Jan. 11 regular meeting.

When the Florida Legislature meets, it considers requests from local governments for assistance with projects of local importance.

Zephyrhills must ask state Rep. Randy Maggard, R-Dade City, and state Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, to sponsor these projects on the city’s behalf.

Staff will work to complete the applications and then submit to both the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate, said Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe.

Monies would theoretically be made available to Zephyrhills in July, should one or more of those projects be approved by the Florida Legislature and signed off on by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Here’s a more detailed look at the proposed projects:

  • Seventh Street complete street

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has proposed to convert U.S. 301 and Sixth Street to a one-way pair street network. Because of these improvements, the city correspondingly wants to construct roadway improvements along Seventh Street from C Avenue north to U.S. 301. The roadway would be converted from a single two-lane, one-way northbound road to a two-lane, two-way road with the addition of a multi-use trail, sidewalk, on street parking where practical, and drainage improvements. The length of the street project is approximately 1.5 miles. Estimated cost is $6.3 million.

  • Indoor tennis complex, plus outdoor hard courts

Shown as Phase II on the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center plans, this includes the construction of a 30,000-square-foot indoor tennis facility with the capability for other sports and activities (soccer, ping pong, banquets, ceremonies), along with associated parking. Additionally, staff would like to construct six outdoor hard courts, allowing for sanctioned hard-court tournaments. Estimated cost is $2.5 million.

  • As part of the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport’s runway 01-19 extension, additional funding is needed for paved runway shoulders, taxiway B extension, stormwater piping and an access road. These projects have a total estimated cost of $2.8 million. (File)

    Zephyrhills Municipal Airport runway extension

The city previously received a state appropriation of $5.9 million for the extension of runway 01-19, which is currently out to bid. However, an engineer’s cost estimate indicates the original appropriation will cover only the design and construction of the runway, and will not cover the paved runway shoulders, taxiway B extension, stormwater piping or the access road. These additional items have a total estimated cost of $2.8 million.

Before deciding to approve the project submissions, there was much discussion during the meeting — mainly concerning the additions to the tennis center and the airport runway extension.

Zephyrhills Council President Charles Proctor, for one, expressed disappointment because the city again must request for additional state funds regarding improvements to the airport runway. He was dismayed, as well, that no state funding requests were presented for improving various city parks facilities, including Hercules Park.

The city manager addressed both matters.

Poe detailed how original airport runway costs were likely underestimated because there was no design at the time of the requests for fiscal year 2018-2019, plus he said there was a short time frame for an engineer to put a package together. Moreover, construction costs have changed somewhat since then, Poe said.

“I agree, it’s crazy to me that $5.9 million doesn’t cover everything we needed out there; unfortunately, that’s where we are on that,” the city manager said.

As for not requesting anything in the way of local parks improvements from the state, Poe suggested next year might be more apt given expected state budget reductions due to the COVID-19 pandemic — where officials have said could hit the $5 billion shortfall range.

He mentioned conversations with various state representatives made it appear they’re likely to sponsor fewer projects on the whole because of the pandemic’s lingering effects. For example, Poe said Burgess previously told him he’d be comfortable sponsoring just two Zephyrhills projects this year.

Poe observed: “Let’s be honest, I think this state budget coming up here is going to be very tight. That doesn’t lend itself to a lot of appropriations, but we could be surprised. I think people are spending more than what we thought they would be throughout this past year, so hopefully projections were off.”

The City of Zephyrhills is seeking state funding for a trio of infrastructure projects. (File)

Meantime, there always had been plans to construct an indoor multi-purpose sports complex holding four tennis courts, at some point.

City council members were taken aback that the proposal also includes the construction of six additional outdoor hard-surface tennis courts to the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center, situated on 10 acres at 6585 Simons Road.

The facility already features nine Har-Tru clay tennis courts, two hard-surface tennis courts, eight pickleball courts and four padel courts.

If the multimillion dollar expansion project is passed in its entirety, that would give the facility 21 tennis courts in one form or another, plus the pickleball and padel offerings.

Aside from a quartet of indoor/covered courts, Poe explained the reasoning for funding an additional six outdoor hard surface courts is to open the facility to a wider range of tournaments, and to accommodate increasing recreational uses and demands.

In order to host certain tournaments — such as high school district or regional meets — the facility must have a minimum of eight hard-surface courts, he said. (Any indoor courts would not count toward that requirement because they technically have a different playing surface.)

As a further added use — the outdoor hard-surface courts could be converted and taped into pickleball courts as needed, Poe said.

Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson and Councilman Alan Knight questioned why an extra half-dozen outdoor hard courts weren’t part of original construction plans several years ago.

“It’s unfortunate that we didn’t plan ahead,” Wilkeson said, adding she’d also like to at some point see some concrete economic data generated from tennis tournaments and other events.

“It would be nice for me to look at it from more of a business plan perspective,” she said. “We talk about these amorphous numbers that impact the community tax revenue, but what other source of revenue is there for the city as it relates to these tournaments, or the tennis center.”

Poe wasn’t quite sure why more hard courts weren’t included from the onset, as he wasn’t the city manager at that time.

He suggested this possibility: “I don’t know that it was anticipated that the center would be as successful as it has been this early.”

He also pointed out there was perhaps more emphasis on constructing clay courts at the time: “I think the thought was the future of tennis facilities is to have the Har-Tru courts. With the clay courts, it’s easier on the joints and offers a little more flexibility to its users,” Poe said.

Despite council’s critiques, they ultimately agreed to seek funding to advance the tennis center’s build out.

Councilman Lance Smith underscored the facility’s importance, to put the matter into perspective: “I was over there for some of the (recent) tournaments and there were people from all over Florida that were in Zephyrhills, spending money in our restaurants, and then some of them lived at homes across the street, too, so there’s an ancillary benefit you get from it.”

Smith continued: “To host a high school tournament…that’s not a significant amount of revenue, but it brings people to the area. All of it generates traffic that wouldn’t otherwise be here in Zephyrhills. That being said, we do need to be careful spending our money.”

Elsewhere, regarding Seventh Street enhancements, Poe explained this project still needs to be designed.

Poe also noted: “There are some elements that could be removed or phased in to make that very large number more palatable for funding.”

Published January 27, 2021

Dade City project put ‘on hold’ for Kumquat Festival

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Trying to ease concerns from downtown merchants, the City of Dade City’s massive downtown stormwater capital improvement project will be halted until after the Jan. 25 Kumquat Festival.

The work stoppage will come with a price tag not to exceed $65,000 — as contractor Kamminga & Roodvoets (K&R) will need to place temporary asphalt from Pasco Avenue to Sixth Street, and remove all construction staging equipment for the week leading up to and after the festival.

Heavy construction machinery is spread out all along Pasco Avenue, as work is underway on Dade City’s $2.3 million downtown stormwater improvement project. The area will be cleaned up and temporarily paved for the week of the Kumquat Festival. (Kevin Weiss)

Commissioners unanimously approved the construction change order “not to exceed $65,000” during a Dec. 17 special meeting.

Under the work order, the contractor will install the asphalt, then remove it after the Kumquat Festival, so crews can resume installing pipes, generally from Pasco Avenue to Seventh Street to the intersection of Pasco Avenue and Fifth Street.

Commissioners took the action after downtown business owners and merchants pleaded with city officials earlier this month to pause the project. They feared that construction work zones could negatively impact the safety and overall experience of festival vendors and attendees, and in turn, local businesses.

The annual festival, in its 23rd year, is expected to draw more than 400 vendors and 35,000 visitors, with an estimated economic impact of almost $900,000.

Dade City business leaders originally called for the stormwater project to be delayed until April altogether, so as to not disrupt the busy winter season where northern snowbird residents and other visitors flock to the city.

But, that suggestion was strongly discouraged by Doug Benjamin, K&R’s vice president of Florida field operations, at the Dec. 17 meeting.

He told commissioners delaying the project until April “is a very bad idea,” noting it would create scheduling conflicts with K&R crews scheduled to be on other jobs, and interfere with Florida’s wet season, which could yield further delays.

Benjamin put it like this: “We’re in the dry season — this is when we can work, without dewatering and without additional costs.”

Benjamin said he understands the inconvenience for local business owners, but it’s all a reality with any downtown stormwater project: “There’s always an economic impact when we work in cities and towns – that’s what we do. What you see out here is what we do day in and day out, all over the Tampa Bay area, and there’s always an impact, there just is.”

Local business owners also have taken issue with the amount of heavy machinery equipment and concrete piles blocking off parts of the downtown and access to parking around Pasco Avenue and near the Historic Courthouse. Some have called for staging areas to be placed somewhere west of Seventh Street once construction resumes.

Benjamin rebuffed those suggestions, too. He stressed that area really needs to be shut down when work crews proceed with the project’s water main portion, also noting there’s additional liability associated with the further away equipment is placed from a work zone. “You can do anything for a cost, but there’s a huge cost associated with that, and it’s going to slow the project way down,” he said.

“The more hurdles you put in our way, the longer it’s going to take,” he said

The $2.3 million stormwater project is funded by state appropriations, as well as the Florida Department of Transportation and Dade City. It seeks to address flooding problems that have plagued the area for years, where downtown streets and sidewalks have been known to be swallowed in at least 6 inches to 7 inches of standing water for days at a time after heavy rains.

The scope of the project generally takes underground piping through multiple downtown streets into an existing conveyance system into a reconfigured Irwin Pond, just pass U.S. 98 and the CSX railway.

Work began in August, but was delayed more than a month because TECO and Centurylink needed to clear their utility complex around construction zones. The project has a yearlong timeline for completion.

Mayor Camille Hernandez said the decision to temporarily pause construction to accommodate the Kumquat Festival “is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but we’re trying to do what’s in the best interest of the merchants in Dade City.”

Hernandez, like fellow commissioners, said she would have preferred to delay construction until the springtime so downtown business owners can capitalize during the busy winter months.  “We’re throwing money away, but I don’t think we have a lot of other options at this point. We’re trying to salvage what we can for the holiday season,” she said.

Commissioner Nicole Deese Newlon said the plan doesn’t go far enough to help merchants, but added, “I don’t know that there’s much alternative at this point.”

Meanwhile, Commissioner Jim Shive called the brief construction postponement “a workable solution.”

Published December 25, 2019

Primary election coming soon for District 38

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Randy Maggard and David ‘Mac” Macallister will face off in a primary on April 9 to determine who will represent the Republicans in a special election to fill the vacancy in District 38 House seat in the Florida Legislature.

The seat was vacated by Danny Burgess, who accepted an offer from Gov. Ron DeSantis to become the executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Early voting for the special election began on March 30 and ends on April 6.

Only registered Republicans can vote in the special primary election, said Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley. The district’s boundaries stretch roughly from East Pasco over to U.S. 41 in Central Pasco.

Voters casting a ballot in that election have the option of voting early at the Central Pasco Government Center, 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, or at the East Pasco Government Center, 14236 Sixth St., in Dade City.

The early voting sites will be open during the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The winner of the special primary election will face Democrat Kelly Smith in a general election for District 38 on June 18.

Besides the special election on April 9, there’s also an election the same day for City Council Seat 1 in the City of Zephyrhills.

Manny Funes is facing Lance Smith for that seat. That election is open to all of Zephyrhills’ electorate, regardless of party.

There are no early voting days in Zephyrhills.

Published April 03, 2019

Cedar Key offers healing balm, restful calm

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Some say the watery views make Cedar Key a comforting place to visit. Others credit the shorebirds – great blue herons, snowy egrets, white pelicans and roseate spoonbills – for creating a calm now rare in so much of Florida.

Some claim the trees – giant, moss-draped live oaks, gnarly cedars, cabbage palms and junipers – promote peacefulness.

Many of Cedar Key’s most popular restaurants line the town’s waterfront, providing wonderful views of water, boats and sometimes dolphins. (Karen Haymon Long)

Others attribute the serenity to the fact that the town has just 709 residents, no traffic jams, no traffic lights, no chain stores, no chain restaurants, no dress codes.

It may be all these things and more.

“We love it here because it’s ‘Old Florida,’” a visitor told us after we met her at the historical museum, then again across the street at Bonish Studio, which bills itself as a gallery of “photography, oddities and libations.” She grew up in DeLand, but now lives in Birmingham, Alabama, and was visiting Cedar Key with her husband for the second time.

They came back because they love the feel – the slower pace, the open waters, she said, while lamenting the fact that so much of Florida is paved over by runaway development and has too many people.

Another visitor came even farther to soak up the calm. As we ate lunch on my friend’s front porch, a man on a motorcycle asked if we would take his picture so he could prove to his wife he was in Cedar Key. He had flown to Orlando from his home in Ottawa, Canada, and rented the motorcycle with plans to head to Key West.

Many fishermen in Cedar Key now use airboats, so they can get into the shallow fishing spots around the town to catch redfish, trout and even snook.

That changed when a man he met told him, “You don’t want to go to Key West. You want to go to Cedar Key. It’s so much nicer.”

So, he rode the 140 miles across the state to Cedar Key and had a wide grin when we snapped his photo with his motorcycle parked amid palmettos.

“You must really like it here,” he said climbing back on his bike, “since it’s so hard to get here.”

We assured him we did.

Everywhere you look, you see people fishing, or heading toward the water to fish for reds, trout, flounder and even sharks. You see walkers and bikers, and whole families tooling around in golf carts, which are rented out on the island. Locals and visitors alike are friendly. They greet you when they pass on the sidewalk.

They ask: Where are you from?

Then, they say: Enjoy your stay.

The town’s charm offers healing if you need it, or a feeling of peace if you don’t.

This loggerhead turtle skull is just one of the many things on display at the Cedar Key Historical Museum. The museum also sells a good selection of books about Florida.

Naturalist and conservationist John Muir was healed here. Just after arriving in Cedar Key in 1867 after his 1,000-mile walk from Louisville, Kentucky, he developed malaria and typhoid, probably from mosquito bites. Sarah Hodgston, the wife of a man who co-owned a sawmill where Muir found work when he arrived, nursed him back to health.

During those fateful three months he recuperated in Cedar Key, he liked to lie under an oak on Hodgston Hill and look out over the water toward Lime Key, which he sketched in his journal. He spent hours watching birds feeding along the shores and soaring overhead, and wrote of that, too.

Cedar Key, he explained, “is surrounded by scores of other keys, many of them looking like a clump of palms, arranged like a tasteful bouquet, and placed in the sea to be kept fresh.”

He grew stronger by the healing powers of nature.

Today, a display about Muir is in the Cedar Key Historical Museum downtown and a plaque stands in the courtyard of the Cedar Key Museum State Park, at 12231 S.W. 166th Court.

If not for Cedar Key’s healing powers, we would have no Sierra Club, which he founded. We would have no Yosemite National Park, whose land he championed to save.

Today, Cedar Key, on the Gulf Coast in Levy County, about two hours from Pasco County and 60 miles southwest of Gainesville, still draws nature lovers, many who come to fish or kayak, birdwatch or stroll the tree-lined streets.

Cedar Key’s main street – Second Street –  downtown is small, but offers a historical museum, good restaurants, galleries, gift shops, and a shop selling antiques, photos, gifts and libations. The welcome center and a public library are also on that street.

It has become a huge clamming center, so some come to eat fresh clams, and the clam chowder at Tony’s Seafood Restaurant downtown, a three-time winner of the world clam chowder championship.

“Have you tried Tony’s clam chowder?” a woman asked me in front of the history museum, just across from Tony’s. “It’s the best I ever had – so creamy. So many clams.”
I told her yes, and that it was so popular they now sell it at Publix in black and red cans.

“They do?” she asked, all excited. “I’m going to look for it at my Publix when I get home.”

Cedar Key has long been known for its seafood restaurants, many that line the waterfront in sea shanty buildings all in a row.

The restaurants have come and gone through the years. Today, locals highly recommend 83 West, for its fresh seafood. They also say to go to Steamers Clam Bar & Grill, and to Carlin’s Steak House and Paddock Pub, famous for key lime cake.

The clam chowder at Tony’s Seafood Restaurant in downtown Cedar Key has won the world clam chowder championship three times. It’s so popular that Publix now sells it.

We also like Tony’s, of course, and Annie’s Cafe, a family owned indoor-outdoor spot at Sixth Street and State Road 24 that serves up good breakfasts and lunches.

One of the best places to start a visit is at the Cedar Key Historical Museum, at the corner of Second Street and State Road 24 downtown. There, you can see all sorts of artifacts on the history of the area – from native American pottery and arrowheads, to displays on the fishing industry in Cedar Key and the lives of its citizens through the years.

The museum also sells an array of Florida history books, including those focusing on Cedar Key and on Muir.

Nearby are art galleries, gift shops, places to eat and drink, and spend the night. The Island Hotel offers all three, with rooms, a cozy bar and a highly regarded restaurant. Be sure to try the island’s signature salad there, made with heart of palm, sugared dates, seasonal fruit and peanut butter ice cream dressing.

Just before sunset, follow locals and visitors west to watch the sun slip into the water. Breathe the briny air, and you’ll wish you, too, could be a local.

Tips for the trip
How to get there: We find the easiest way is to take the Suncoast Parkway north to U.S. 98. Turn left there, then go right on U.S. 19 until you get to State Road 24 in Levy County. Take a left there, and it’s 24 miles straight into Cedar Key.

Where to stay: Cedar Key offers everything from home and condo rentals to stays in motels, inns and campgrounds. For a list, see the Chamber of Commerce’s CedarKey.org.

Festivals: Cedar Key has long been known for its annual Old Florida Festival of the Arts. The 54th annual festival is scheduled for March 24 and March 25. Visit CedarKeyArtFestival.com for more details.

The town also has an annual seafood festival in October, a Christmas boat parade and food tasting, and other festivals. For details, also see CedarKey.org.

Fun Fact:
Cedar Key used to have a fiber and brush factory that used fiber from cabbage palms to make whisk brooms, hat brushes and other items. Today, you can see examples in the Cedar Key Historical Museum and can even buy replicas made by Dr. John Andrews, the son of the man who founded and owned the factory. Andrews’ home, with the brush factory’s office downstairs, is part of the museum and is open for tours.

By Karen Haymon Long

Published January 17, 2018

Exhibit features North Tampa Arts League

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Works done by nearly two dozen members of the North Tampa Arts League will be on display in February at Bug’s Splatter Gallery in Zephyrhills.

This acrylic on canvas, ‘Cruising the Channel,’ is by artist Joan Garcia.
(Image courtesy of Fran Byers)

The exhibit will showcase 57 works. It opens with a free reception Feb. 4, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the display will remain up through Feb. 24.

Fran Byers, owners of Bug’s Splatter Gallery, is pleased to be presenting the exhibit.

Besides running the gallery, she’s also a member of the arts league and is impressed by the caliber of the work its members do.

“I love these artists. There are some fabulous artists in that organization. I’m so pleased that they want to be here,” said Byers, who joined the arts league last fall.

The exhibit will cover the gallery’s walls, but Byers said her gallery also has other items, such as pottery, stained glass and jewelry.

Bug’s Splatter Gallery is at 5716 Sixth St., in Zephyrhills. It is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Byers, who is relatively new to the area, said she was impressed by the North Tampa Arts League from the very beginning.

She joined the group after attending one meeting. The annual dues are $35, which she described as “crazy cheap.”

The North Tampa Arts League dates back to June of 2005.

This watercolor and colored pencil, ‘Morning Vigil,’ is by artist Fran Byers.

It began when a call went out, inviting artists to gather at the New Tampa Regional Library. More than 30 people responded, leading to the league’s creation. The organization now has more than 50 members.

Byers, who opened her gallery last summer, said its mission is “to show local artists and make art available to everyone, at a reasonable price.”

Items at her gallery range from as low as $5 to around $1,500, she said.

An artist herself, Byers works in watercolor and pencil.

“It’s wonderful to create something and then have somebody appreciate it,” said Byers, who especially enjoys painting food, and items which depict texture and age.

For instance, she’d rather paint a portrait of an old woman, whose skin has a story to tell, than to create an image of an infant, whose story is not yet known, she said.

Featured pieces in the February exhibit will include works by Hernie Vann, Joan Garcia and Dorothy Bankers.

For information about the exhibit, contact Byers at (813) 355-4806 or .

For more information about the arts league, visit NorthTampa-arts.com.

North Tampa Arts League show
Where: Bug’s Splatter Gallery, 5716 Sixth St., Zephyrhills
When: Feb. 4 through Feb. 24. Opening reception is Feb. 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Normal gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Details: Twenty-two artists will be exhibiting a total of 57 pieces of art. All works will be for sale through the gallery. The reception will include wine and finger foods.
Info: Call Fran Byers, (813) 355-4806, or email .

Published February 1, 2017

There are plenty of ways to help this season

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If you would like to help someone else during the holidays, there are plenty of ways you can do that.

Here’s a look at some of the efforts underway that could use more support.

Donate a Bicycle
This effort, spearheaded by Caroline Contractors LLC, is seeking donations of money, bicycles or helmets. Those wishing to donate bicycles or helmets can drop them off at these locations:

  • Caroline Contractors LLC, 18039 U.S. 41, Suite B, Lutz, 33558
  • Hungry Harry’s Family BBQ, 3116 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes, 34639
  • The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, 2810 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes, 34639
Todd Caroline of Caroline Contractors LLC gets ready to deliver new bicycles during a Christmas Bicycle Drive. Caroline and his wife, Cindy, began giving new bikes to children from less fortunate families several years ago. (File Photo)
Todd Caroline of Caroline Contractors LLC gets ready to deliver new bicycles during a Christmas Bicycle Drive. Caroline and his wife, Cindy, began giving new bikes to children from less fortunate families several years ago.
(File Photo)

Bicycles must be dropped off by Dec. 10. If you can’t drop off your donation, Caroline Contractors will pick it up. If you don’t have time to shop, Caroline Contractors will be happy to take your cash donation and do the shopping for you. For more information, call (813) 931-4611.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax collector helps Toys for Tots
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano is collecting Toys for Tots at the county’s five tax offices. The Toys for Tots program is run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. It seeks new, unwrapped gifts for children and teenagers.  Bring your donations to these locations by Dec. 22.

  • West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Drive, Room 120, New Port Richey, 34654
  • Gulf Harbors Office, 4720 U.S. 19, New Port Richey, 34652
  • Central Pasco Government Center, 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. (U.S. 41), Land O’ Lakes, 34639
  • Wesley Chapel Office, 4610 Pet Lane, CIOI, Wesley Chapel, 33559
  • East Pasco Government Center, 14236 Sixth St., Room 100, Dade City, 33523

Home builder helps Toys for Tots
CalAtlantic Homes is hosting “The Great Toy Drive” for the Toys for Tots program. Participants can make a donation of a new, unwrapped toy to any CalAtlantic community through Dec. 11. For locations, visit CalAtlanticHomes.com.

Auto repair shop helps Toys for Tots
Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair is trading free oil changes and tire rotations, or $20 in auto repair services, for a new unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots. To find a list of locations, visit IceColdAir.com.

Santa’s Tree
The San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union is partnering with local children’s charities to help make the holidays brighter for children. This year’s effort benefits the youth of the Thomas Promise Foundation.

Stop by any of the credit union’s offices in San Antonio, Dade City, Zephyrhills or Wesley Chapel to pick a gift tag from Santa’s Tree. Purchase the item listed. Return the gift tag and unwrapped gifts to the credit union by Dec. 16 before 6 p.m.

The credit union will do the wrapping and distribution, along with its partners at Thomas Promise.

Blanket Tampa Bay
New or “gently used” blankets are needed for Blanket Tampa Bay’s second annual Blanket Drive. The blankets will be passed out to Tampa’s homeless on Dec. 24 at the Trinity Café in downtown Tampa. For more information, call (813) 300-9277.

Published December 7, 2016

Priority highway projects focus on growth spots

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Growth is where the rubber meets the road when it comes to building, widening and re-aligning highways that crisscross Pasco County’s landscape.

Most highways in the county move north and south. It is the east to west connections that are often missing or out-of-date.

The recently approved 2015 Priority List of Highway Projects tapped into that scenario. The Florida Department of Transportation uses the list as a guide for its long-range planning, and in determining when and where to spend its state and federal dollars.

County officials say traffic improvements are high priority for the busy intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41. A study is underway but no construction funds are available. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
County officials say traffic improvements are high priority for the busy intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41. A study is underway but no construction funds are available.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

Among 15 projects identified by Pasco’s Metropolitan Planning Organization, all but two are in central and east Pasco. The top choices take aim at State Road 52 from its intersection with U.S. 41 in central Pasco to Dade City in east Pasco.

“It’s going to rectify a situation of having more direct east-west local connectors,” said James Edwards, Pasco County’s transportation planning manager. “It is going to be a growth center for the county.”

Also on the list is the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41. The roads bisect Land O’ Lakes and serve as a clearinghouse for a high volume of truck and residential traffic.

The intersection is west of the retail explosion on State Road 54 and State Road 56, where Tampa Premium Outlets is slated to open in October. More shops, restaurants, hotels and rooftops are on their way in the next couple of years.

“What we’re faced with at the outlets (mall) will be congestion and future congestion,” Edwards said.

In September, the county plans to schedule workshops to get public input on the kinds of road projects needed to address traffic near the outlet mall, and between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills.

By placing emphasis on State Road 52 now, county officials are hoping to come out ahead of the development curve with road upgrades, before developers start digging dirt for rooftops and retail.

The proposed roadwork is part of ongoing efforts to widen and realign an important regional corridor that could eventually stretch across Florida from west coastal Pasco to the U.S. 98 junction, and on to Palm Beach.

The state roads department is completing a study for a four-year plan to build a new four-lane State Road 52, south of the current highway that passes through San Antonio, Saint Leo and Dade City. This project envisions construction of an approximately 8.5 mile, four-lane extension of Clinton Avenue. Pedestrian and bicycle lanes will be built on either side of the highway. When that project is completed, the old highway would become County Road 52.

The state roads department anticipates that design work and right-of-way purchase will be done over the next two years.

Construction is slated for 2019, according to the department’s records.

In west Pasco, a segment of State Road 52 had a makeover in 2007 when it was widened to six lanes from Moon Lake Road to the Suncoast Parkway. Going east past the Suncoast, State Road 52 narrows to four then two lanes as it approaches Shady Hills Road.

The Metropolitan Planning Organization proposes construction along a major segment of roadway in central Pasco by widening it from two to four lanes from U.S. 41 to Bellamy Brothers Road.

Along with this, another priority is a north-south segment on U.S. 41, which would be widened to four lanes from Connerton Boulevard and the Ridge Road extension up to the intersection with State Road 52.

However, the caveat with all of the identified projects is that none has construction funds on the immediate horizon. County officials estimate the price tag for these projects is more than $750 million spread out over the next 25 years.

Funding will have to come from a mix of county, state and federal dollars.

These are the projects for central and east Pasco, according to county records:

  • State Road 52 from U.S. 41 to Bellamy Brothers Boulevard will go from two lanes to four lanes. Preliminary engineering is underway.
  • U.S. 41 from Connerton Boulevard/Ridge Road Extension to State Road 52 will go from two lanes to four lanes. Construction is anticipated in 2019-2020.
  • State Road 52 and Clinton Avenue extension adds four lanes from east of Uradco Place to Fort King Road. Construction is anticipated in 2018-2019.
  • State Road 54 at the U.S. 41 interchange is under study.
  • Interstate 75, at Overpass Road/interchange from Old Pasco Road to Boyette Road, is set for construction in 2019-2020, with full funding by Pasco County.
  • U.S. 98 at U.S. 301- Clinton Avenue intersection realignment. This is not funded.
  • U.S. 301- Gall Boulevard redesign at Sixth and Seventh streets, from State Road 39 to County Road 54, is being planned. This construction is unfunded.
  • State Road 56 at Interstate 75 interchange, from west of County Road 54 to west of Cypress Ridge Boulevard. Planning and engineering are scheduled in 2016-2017.
  • U.S. 301 – Gall Boulevard will go from four lanes to six lanes from State Road 56 to State Road 39. Preliminary engineering is underway, but construction is unfunded.
  • U.S. 301- Gall Boulevard from will go from four lanes to six lanes from County Road 54 at Eiland Boulevard to Kossik Road. Design is underway. Right of way and construction are unfunded.
  • State Road 54 at Collier Parkway interchange. Right of way is funded over a 10-year period.
  • State Road 56 will go from two lanes to four lanes from Meadow Pointe Boulevard to U.S. 301, near Zephyrhills. A state infrastructure bank loan is pending.

Published August 12, 2015

Toys for Tots collection begins

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Christmas time is just around the corner, and the campaign by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve has started to collect toys for children.

The first Toys for Tots collection drive will take place at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s offices in Land O’ Lakes, Dade City and Lutz. The west side offices will begin their drives in December.

Toys for Tots was created to help less fortunate children in communities enjoy a better holiday season. The program seeks new, unwrapped gifts for children and teenagers. Toys donated by members of any given community will be given to children in that community.

“I applaud the veterans and volunteers from Toys for Tots who give so much time to help the less fortunate children in Pasco County,” Tax Collector Mike Fasano said, in a release. “I encourage everyone who has a heart for children to consider dropping off a gift at one of our offices. The generosity of our friends and neighbors will go a long way towards making this a special holiday season for countless kids who may not otherwise receive a nice gift this year.”

Throughout November, toys can be donated to the Land O’ Lakes office at the Central Pasco Government Center, 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes; 4610 Pet Lane, C101, in Lutz; and at the East Pasco Government Center, 14236 Sixth St., Room 100, in Dade City.

Strong early voter turnout so far in Pasco

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Brian Corley likes what he’s seeing for the 2014 election so far.

As of 4 p.m. Thursday, more than 21 percent of registered voters in Pasco County have dropped a ballot in the voting box, and there’s still two full days of early voting left.

“We’re on pace to beat 2010, and we’re doing that with less than a 10-minute wait” at early voting locations around the county, said Corley, Pasco’s supervisor of elections. “It’s very rewarding, and shows that we are getting things done to get out the vote.”

Nearly 65,300 votes have been cast in Pasco so far, with nearly a third from early voting, and the rest from mail ballots. In a race that includes a tight battle for governor between Charlie Crist and Rick Scott, as well as a high-profile county commission race, more than 29,000 — or 45 percent — of the votes are being cast by Republicans, while more than 23,000, or 35 percent, are coming from Democrats. Another 20 percent, representing just over 13,000 voters, are coming from those with other or no party affiliations.

Republicans continue to turn out in better numbers than Democrats in the race, especially with the GOP only accounting for 38 percent of Pasco’s more than 305,000 voters. Democrats make up 33 percent of the total electorate, while everyone else is at 28 percent.

The voting precinct with the best numbers so far is First Assembly of God in Zephyrhills where 33 percent, or 850 people, have cast an early ballot so far. Political breakdowns there match pretty much the rest of the county with 40 percent Republicans, and 35 percent Democrats.

The lowest numbers so far, however, are coming from Crystal Springs Community Hall just outside of Zephyrhills, where just 86 votes — or less than 10 percent — have been cast. That precinct has nearly 900 total registered voters where Democrats just slightly outnumber Republicans.

Early voting continues through Saturday, with each location open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voters also are choosing whether to support three amendments to the state constitution, ranging from land conservation to how state supreme court justices are appointed to medical marijuana.

• East Pasco Government Center, 14236 Sixth St., Dade City
• Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes
• New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills
• The Grove at Wesley Chapel, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel
• Hudson Library, 8012 Library Road, Hudson
• New Port Richey Elections Office, 8731 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey
• Regency Park Library, 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey
• South Holiday Library, 4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday

More than 5,000 show up for first day of early voting

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A lot of people are heading to the polls, and it’s not even Election Day yet.

Pasco County elections supervisor Brian Corley says more than 5,000 people turned out to vote on Saturday, as early voting started in various locations around the county.

By lunchtime on Monday, the number of early voters quickly approached 9,000, joining more than 38,000 mail-in ballots already received for the midterm election.

Republicans make up 45 percent of all the pre-Election Day voters so far in Pasco, while Democrats account for 35 percent. Non-affiliated voters or those from other parties make up the remaining 19 percent.

That brings total turnout so far to a little more than 15 percent. The best turnout so far has been at the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club in San Antonio, where nearly 25 percent of the more than 2,100 people registered there have cast a ballot. That is a heavily Republican precinct, where Democrats are outnumbered nearly 2-to-1.

The worst turnout so far is at Darby Community Church in Dade City, were just 6 percent of the 764 voters there have finished their civic duty. That district is more balanced in terms of the major political parties, with 42 percent Republican and 34 percent Democratic.

Early voting continues through Saturday, with each location open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. This election gives voters a chance to choose between two governors in who will stay (or move back into) the mansion in Tallahassee. It also has some local races, including Pasco County Commission between Mike Moore and Erika Remsberg.

Voters also are choosing whether to support three amendments to the state constitution, ranging from land conservation to how state supreme court justices are appointed to medical marijuana.

• East Pasco Government Center, 14236 Sixth St., Dade City
• Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes
• New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills
• The Grove at Wesley Chapel, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel
• Hudson Library, 8012 Library Road, Hudson
• New Port Richey Elections Office, 8731 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey
• Regency Park Library, 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey
• South Holiday Library, 4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday