• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

  • 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
    • Reasons To Smile
  • 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
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices

23rd Street

Federal help sought for sewer project

May 4, 2021 By Kevin Weiss

The City of Zephyrhills is pursuing federal dollars to help pay for a new master lift station located in the vicinity of Otis Allen Road and 23rd Street.

The project — yet to be designed — calls for a new duplex master lift station with provisions to be upgraded to a triplex station when needed; an emergency generator; and, 17,000 linear feet of 8-inch and 10-inch HPDE (High Density Polyethylene) force main piping.

Zephyrhills is requesting $1.5 million in federal funding, which equates to 37.5% of the overall cost of the estimated $4 million project.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe (File)

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe said the opportunity to secure federal dollars comes about as federal lawmakers recently reinstated the process of earmarking for local governments and nonprofits, otherwise referred to as community project funding.

With that, an approved congressional request package has been sent to the office of U.S. Rep Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, who’s told city leaders he will offer his support for the project through the legislative budgeting process.

The action approving the latest drafted package for the congressman’s office came during an April 26 regular meeting of the Zephyrhills City Council.

Zephyrhills has not been given a time frame regarding when they will know whether their grant request has been approved.

However, the plans to move ahead on the project are not contingent on receiving the federal money, Poe said. It will need to evaluate other funding options, if the federal request is denied, he said.

Based on prepared documents, the municipality looks to have the project’s design and bidding process complete by January, which includes determining the location of the station and the best route for the piping.

If on track from there, construction is expected to begin sometime in February and run through December, with the project being fully online and operational by January 2023.

Poe explained the need for the project, in a memo to council members.

The city’s existing wastewater infrastructure is at capacity and cannot accommodate additional flow from the north side of the city to the advanced wastewater treatment facility on the south side of the city, Poe explained in the memo.

The initiative is intended to assist with wastewater systems improvements to allow the city to balance wastewater flow, to provide water quality protection, and to support water supply needs in the Hillsborough River Basin.

The proposed improvements include a force main and associated lift stations that will allow the city to take approximately 200 residents off either septic systems or aging package plant facilities and instead send this wastewater flow to the city’s AWT (Advanced Wastewater Treatment) plant.

Poe and other city officials also said the project will ensure that future development will connect to centralized wastewater disposal facilities, therefore preventing installation of future septic systems and package plants near sensitive ecosystems.

In simpler terms, Poe said, “This will help to accommodate growth and take some pressure off the existing system.”

The City of Zephyrhills is seeking a $1.5 million federal grant for a new master lift station in the vicinity of Otis Allen Road and 23rd Street.

Councilman Ken Burgess supports the improvement, saying, “I think this is a much-needed project.”

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce and the Zephyrhills Economic Development Coalition also sent letters to Bilirakis, supporting the project.

In part, Melonie Monson, chamber director, wrote: “East Pasco County, including the Zephyrhills community, is experiencing accelerated growth in recent years, and is poised to become the number one place to live. The addition of this new lift station would grant future development the ability to connect to the city wastewater with confidence and ease.

“We know you recognize the need to move away from old septic systems, which could hold potential risk, and into a streamlined and safe wastewater disposal system. It is important for our city to offer adequate infrastructure to its residents and this wastewater system improvement and would be a step in that direction. We applaud our state and city leaders who are working to better our community.

“We ask for your support in this effort to improve the amazing community in which we live, work and play,” Monson concluded.

Other updates shared during the council meeting, included:

  • Work on the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport runway extension 1-19 project officially began in mid-April, with completion expected sometime around November or December.
  • New mast arm traffic signals are now set to be erected as part of the U.S. 301, Pretty Pond and Townview shopping center intersection project.
  • Walls are up on a standalone Chick-fil-A franchise, with an anticipated opening in late July or early August, at 7490 Gall Blvd.
  • Construction is moving forward on a standalone Chipotle franchise, though there is not a known time frame for opening, at 7642 Gall Blvd.

Published May 05, 2021

Workshop focuses on East Pasco

April 10, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

Pasco County Commissioners met in a workshop session with local municipal leaders on the afternoon of April 2 to discuss a number of projects that are planned or under discussion in East Pasco County.

Projects that were discussed included:

  • A roundabout at the intersection of State Road 52, College Avenue and Pompanic Street
  • An extension of Morningside Drive in Dade City
  • A drainage fix in downtown Dade City
  • The extension of State Road 56 to Chancey Road
  • The widening of County Road 54, from U.S. 301 to 23rd Street

Discussion regarding the City of San Antonio focused on an intersection, where State Road 52 meets College Avenue to the west and Pompanic Road to the north.

Pasco Board of Commissioners and municipal officials met on April 2 in a workshop setting to discuss a number of current and proposed projects in East Pasco County. (Brian Fernandes)

Efforts have been taken to address the San Antonio intersection, which has been a place of confusion for motorists and an area that has been prone to accidents.

Those problems persist despite the installation of stop and yield signs, and caution lights.

To address the continuing problem, the Metropolitan Planning Organization has suggested installing a roundabout at the intersection.

“Essentially, we’re at a stage where some design has been undertaken,” said John Villeneuve, MPO director. “This is something that will assist in facilitating safety and more maneuverability.”

While the project has been well-received by the board, no start date has been given.

Meanwhile a number of proposed or active Dade City projects were discussed.

One of those projects involves extending Morningside Drive, from U.S. 301 to Fort King Road.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez has advocated for the MPO to put the project on a list for funding.

An alignment study has been conducted on the development, but funding needs to be in place to proceed to the next phase.

The potential benefits of the connection are already recognized locally.

It would boost economic development and would provide direct access off U.S. 301 to AdventHealth Dade City, said Mike Sherman, city planner for Dade City.

Joseph DeBono, Dade City’s director of public works, discussed Dade City’s downtown drainage issues.

Dade City, he said,  “has been plagued for years with a major drainage issue.”

He told those gathered that a stormwater retrofit project is the solution.

The project involves installing a new sewer system of more than 2,400 linear feet with various street drains. The collected water would run underground heading east to the U.S. 98 bypass, eventually being dumped into Irvin Pond.

That project, which may be completed during the summer of 2020, is receiving funding from the city, the state and the Florida Department of Transportation.

In Zephyrhills, there’s a proposal to extend State Road 56 to Chancey Road.

Construction already is underway to connect State Road 56, from Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wesley Chapel to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills.

But, Zephyrhills officials are looking into the possibility of later extending the state road further east to Chancey Road.

Todd Vande Berg, director of planning for Zephyrhills, brought schematics to the workshop and talked about the link’s potential to encourage increased industrial manufacturing, add jobs and boost the local economy.

The planning director also provided an update on plans to County Road 54 from U.S. 301 to 23rd Street.

The city had planned to widen that stretch of the road to four lanes, but those plans were halted because of conflicts with the local school district and efforts to obtain right of way, Vande Berg said.

The present plan keeps the road at two lanes, but adds turn lanes and pedestrian improvements, the director added.

The joint workshop between county commissioners and municipal officials was held at Pasco-Hernando State College’s East Campus.

Published April 10, 2019

Primary Sidebar

A Conversation with Lutz Filmmaker, Alexis Yahre

Search

Sponsored Content

Avalon Applauds Kids Helping Kids Pasco County 

May 10, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Congratulations to Kids Helping Kids Pasco County for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. The nonprofit … [Read More...] about Avalon Applauds Kids Helping Kids Pasco County 

Dynamic Duo Transforms Wedding Events

May 3, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

From diverse family backgrounds rooted in Vietnam and Puerto Rico, Bich (pronounced Bic) Le and Sandy Baez run … [Read More...] about Dynamic Duo Transforms Wedding Events

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

05/17/2022 – Bees & butterflies

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will host “Bees & Butterflies” story times. Toddlers can attend on May 17 at 10:15 a.m., and preschoolers at 11 a.m. The stories will be repeated on May 18 and May 20, at the same times. Space is limited. Registration is required online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 05/17/2022 – Bees & butterflies

05/17/2022 – Make a mug cake

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will offer these mug cake-making classes: May 17 at 1 p.m., for young children; at 5 p.m., for teens; and at 6 p.m., for grades four to seven. Participants should bring their own mug. Ingredients will be provided. All attendees must be registered online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 05/17/2022 – Make a mug cake

05/18/2022 – Cribbage Club

A cribbage club will meet every Wednesday at 6 p.m., at the Wilderness Lake Preserve clubhouse, 21326 Wilderness Lake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. Play is informal at this time, but by the summer, the club is hoping to play an organized nine games, and to join the American Cribbage Congress organization. For information and questions, contact Jim Correa at 732-322-7103 or . … [Read More...] about 05/18/2022 – Cribbage Club

05/18/2022 – Democratic Club

The Central Pasco Democratic Club will meet on May 18, via Zoom. Socializing will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Email , for more information. … [Read More...] about 05/18/2022 – Democratic Club

05/18/2022 – Florida landscaping

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a UF/IFAS Extension seminar, “Florida Friendly Landscaping 101” on May 18 at 11 a.m. To register, visit EventBrite.com. … [Read More...] about 05/18/2022 – Florida landscaping

05/19/2022 – Adaptive gardening

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will offer a Little Seeds of Hope Adaptive Gardening Program on May 19 at 4 p.m., for ages 14 to 18; and at 5 p.m., for ages 11 to 14. The program is for children with a diverse range of special needs, and is aimed at fostering a positive environment where garden activities are interactive, naturalistic, and not too structured. The theme for this program is fruit. Registration is online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 05/19/2022 – Adaptive gardening

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz NewsFollow

Home for all your local news in Land O' Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

The Laker/Lutz News
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
1h

TONIGHT: The New River Library will offer mug cake-making classes at 5 and 6PM for teens. Must sign up ahead of time with the library! https://buff.ly/3wnvohg

Reply on Twitter 1526563258123132928Retweet on Twitter 15265632581231329281Like on Twitter 1526563258123132928Twitter 1526563258123132928
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
23h

Need some summer-fun activities for the kids? The City of Zephyrhills will host free summer recreation programs for local youth, running from May 31 through July 7. https://buff.ly/3yDWdAB

Reply on Twitter 1526231280861470725Retweet on Twitter 15262312808614707251Like on Twitter 1526231280861470725Twitter 1526231280861470725
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
16 May

Showering teachers with tokens of appreciation!
.
.
.
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club has always prioritized education, and supports local teachers often. Check out what gifts they got them: https://buff.ly/3yy6pKJ

Reply on Twitter 1526200919343476737Retweet on Twitter 15262009193434767371Like on Twitter 15262009193434767371Twitter 1526200919343476737
Load More...

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2022 Community News Publications Inc.

    Doc