The Laker/Lutz News

Church Avenue

Bicyclists have a new spot to relax, in Dade City

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A Dec. 15 ribbon-cutting ceremony officially christened the new bike hub/visitor’s information center in downtown Dade City. From left: Dade City Commissioners Normita Woodard, Knute Nathe and Scott Black; Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore; Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez; Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley; and, Experience Florida’s Sports Coast president/tourism director Adam Thomas. )Courtesy of Experience Florida’s Sports Coast)

East Pasco’s rolling hills and curving countryside attract avid bicyclists from far and wide.

And now, these cyclists will have a spot where they can rest, relax and refuel.

The Spoke —  designed to offer respite for cyclists and other exercise enthusiasts — also features a visitor’s center.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 15 celebrated the new amenity, at 37800 Church Ave., across from the Roy T. Hardy trailhead.

The Spoke features covered porches, restrooms, and places to refill water bottles and tune up bicycles.

Inside the 1,100-square-foot welcome center, guests can check out information about the county’s other tourism amenities through mobile exhibit space, which includes printed information and videos.

The space also is eventually expected to host a local retail shop and satellite food vendor on weekends and during the evening.

“We have some very special things that we’re working on,” Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez said, during the ribbon-cutting.

From the initial idea to its final build out, the project has been some six years in the making.

The Spoke is Dade City’s new bike hub/visitor’s information center in downtown Dade City, at 37800 Church Ave., across from the Roy T. Hardy trailhead. The Spoke is an 1,100-square-foot public space for cyclists, families and outdoor enthusiasts to stop, refill water bottles, grab a snack, tune up their bicycles, and learn more about what the city and county have to offer in terms of events, activities and entertainment.

Hernandez quipped: “I didn’t think that it was going to take that long to birth a baby, because I feel that this is like a baby to me.”

She went on: “This has been a project that I have cradled and that I have hugged, and that I have worked so closely with the TDC (Pasco County Tourist Development Council) and the BOCC (Pasco County Board of County Commissioners).”

The facility’s moniker represents a combination of the city’s rich railway history and its modern trail movement.

Melanie Romagnoli, Dade City’s community and economic development director, is credited with dreaming up the facility’s name.

The Spoke was funded with a $250,000 grant from the Pasco TDC and its official destination marketing organization, Experience Florida’s Sports Coast, which promotes the county’s varied outdoor and recreational offerings.

The amber-colored visitor center reflects the architectural style of the surrounding Church Avenue neighborhood, which commonly features homes with wood siding, columns and brick embellishments.

“The Spoke is going to be something that brings tourism to Pasco County,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, who also chairs the county’s TDC. “You know, (Dade City) is a bike hub, it really is. There’s people from all over the world that come to Dade City to ride here, and we want to continue to do what we can do to promote it. …We look forward to more great things to come from this beautiful city.”

Commissioner Ron Oakley, whose district represents East Pasco, underscored the importance of having designated outdoor exercise-friendly recreational features — amid the booming population growth, and increasing traffic.

“More people will need this kind of (amenity) where they can walk and ride their bikes, and make it safe,” Oakley said.

The Spoke represents the first phase of a larger 2.23-acre city park site that’s anticipated to include a splash pad, all-inclusive playground, nature trail, and possibly an amphitheater.

Its completion will otherwise complement the city’s nearby downtown restaurants and shops, while offering another recreational outlet for youth, residents and visitors alike.

“This whole vision, this beautiful piece of land, it’s just a huge asset to Dade City,” Hernandez said.

The city originally purchased the property for the park site in December 2019 from the family of local businessman Otto Weitzenkorn.

Officials have said the park fits with the city’s vision of fostering a healthy and age-friendly community.

The Spoke also represents Pasco County’s first official tourism welcome center.

Published December 22, 2021

Dade City seeks feedback on design plans for Seventh Street

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Dade City leaders are inviting the public to an open house to discuss conceptual design plans for the Seventh Street streetscaping improvement project.

The meeting is scheduled for Dec. 7 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Dade City Hall Commission Chambers, 38030 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

The city hopes to make improvements to help create a downtown area that’s attractive, walkable and bikeable — essentially appealing to everyone who visits the area.

And, the city wants to hear the community’s reaction to possible improvements.

The city is considering the reconfiguration of street sections for traffic calming, and to accommodate sidewalks, bike lanes, landscaping and lighting.

The city has hired Johnson Engineering to develop a streetscape improvement conceptual plan along Seventh Street, from Pond Avenue to Florida Avenue.

Johnson Engineering has prepared first-draft renderings of the possible configurations of each typical section of the corridor.

The sections are:

  • Florida Avenue to Church Avenue
  • Church Avenue to Meridian Avenue
  • Meridian Avenue to Martin Luther King Boulevard
  • Martin Luther King Boulevard to Pond Avenue

The open house is intended to be an opportunity for members of the public to express what’s important to them.

“There’ll be information for people to see, people can come in and ask questions, (and) make comments,” Dade City Manager Leslie Porter said, during a Nov. 9 city commission meeting.

The feedback is important, she added, noting the engineering firm already is making some changes based on initial feedback received from residents and citizens. The city held a similar exercise for the Morningside Drive extension route study.

For information, visit tinyurl.com/j6ekbntz, or call 352-523-5050, ext. 420.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

Pioneer Florida Museum will guide Dade City Christmas Parade

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Dade City kicks off its holiday season each year with the Magical Night Christmas Parade, an event that dates back to at least 1982.

It typically draws thousands of spectators, to see floats, entertainment acts, bands, vendors, seasonal displays and Santa Claus.

The annual Christmas shindig will press on, but under new guidance and leadership.

The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village now will host the downtown holiday event, instead of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

The parade is scheduled for Dec. 10 at 7 p.m., in downtown Dade City.

The Dade City chamber indicated it wanted to focus efforts on larger events, such as the signature Kumquat Festival, traditionally held the last Saturday in January, according to Pioneer Florida Museum executive director Stephanie Bracknell Black.

The decision to hand the Christmas parade off to the local museum came after Black recently met with Dade City Chamber executive director John Moors and city administration.

“It was just mentioned to us that the chamber was no longer looking to do the Christmas parade,” Black said.

“They were looking for someone else to take it over…and it just seemed like a good fit for the museum to go ahead and take it over,” she said.

The Christmas parade was canceled last year, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Attendees shouldn’t expect too much change from the typical holiday format, at least for this year, as the museum takes the reins so close to the date.

The announcement of the parade organization change came in an Oct. 20 press release from the museum.

Many volunteers who have previously worked on the parade with the chamber are expected to continue to assist the museum.

“We’re doing mostly everything pretty much the same,” Black said. “We’ve had the similar requirements and stuff that they had done in the past. It’s going to be the same. We’re going to try to keep it the same as it always has been. It’s worked in years past, so we’re going to go ahead and give it a try and keep everything pretty much the same.”

The official parade route will begin at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard/Fifth Street, head west on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard/Seventh Street, south to Church Avenue, and then east to Fifth Street, in front of the local post office.

Simpson Lakes jumped aboard as the parade’s first sponsor and Grand Marshal.

Black, who lives in Zephyrhills, has brought her children and grandchildren to the event many times over, during the parade’s three-decade run.

She’s also been actively involved in the festivities, when she worked for Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County, which has had floats in the parade previously.

“I think everybody looks forward to the night parade,” she said. “It’s part of everyone’s Christmas tradition in this area.”

It’s customary for people to eat, shop and stroll the city’s downtown area hours before the event kicks off. Attendees also are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the night’s showing.

Black acknowledged it’s tough to speculate about how many attendees are expected this year, with lingering pandemic issues, but she noted, “usually every year, it’s one of the bigger parades.”

The museum is currently accepting parade entry applications and other sponsors.

Parade entry applications are due by 5 p.m., Nov. 12.

Registration may close early if the parade entries reach the limited capacity of about 80 floats.

Black noted entries “seem to be coming in pretty quickly.”

The Pioneer Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the historic preservation and education of Florida’s pioneer heritage.

The museum is located a mile north of downtown Dade City, just off U.S. 301, at 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City.

For more information, visit PioneerFloridaMusuem.org, or call 352-567-0262.

Dade City Christmas Parade
When: Dec. 10, at 7 p.m.
Where: Downtown Dade City

Published November 03, 2021

Painted hay bales bring a festive fall feel to Dade City

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Artists took humble bales of hay and applied their imagination to create some festive fall scenes for pieces of public art that are strategically placed in spots around Dade City.

Fall traditionally is a time for getting together with loved ones. Jasmine and Curtis Wright’s artistic hay bale issues an invitation to gather. It’s on display at Agnes Lamb Park, at 14200 Ninth St. (Courtesy of Dade City Center for the Arts)

The Dade City Hay Bale Painting Project, now in its second year, gives artists a chance to express their creativity and gives visitors to the quaint East Pasco town the opportunity to enjoy the seasonal artworks.

“The Dade City Center for the Arts was pleased to make this our second annual art event, especially since we had such a great community response last year,” said Lucy Avila, of the arts center, via email.

“We are very grateful to our artists who have shared their time and talent to make this art project such a success that is being enjoyed by all,” she added.

The arts center also appreciates the local hay producers who provided giant rolls of hay and delivered them for the project, according to its website.

The hay bales are stationed at locations around Dade City and will be on display through Thanksgiving, the website says. For more information, you can visit DadeCityArts.com.

This smiling scarecrow seems a little too friendly to scare birds away, but he sure knows how to set a tone for a happy fall. Randy Hernandez is the artist on this work, which is on display at Price Park, 37415 Magnolia Ave.

Some of the artists shared the source of their inspiration with Avila, who, in turn, shared them with The Laker/Lutz News.

Kevin Taggerty, whose image of an American flag on a hay bale is positioned at the Hardy Trail and Church Avenue, told Avila: “I love our country, as well as served it for 23 years in the USAF (U.S. Air Force).

“Veterans Day is in November and it’s a tribute to them.

“I also did a small tribute on the back of the hay bale that shows our 13 stars (colonies) as well as represents the 13 fallen soldiers we recently had in Afghanistan.

“I love our flag. If we don’t start showing our nation respect and step up for her, who else will?

“The flag makes me proud and I feel most Americans get goose bumps when we are gathered around singing the National Anthem.

This hay bale, stationed at Agnes Lamb Park, at 14200 Ninth St., in downtown Dade City, features the symbol of plenty. It was painted by Jasmine and Curtis Wright.

“I hope this hay bale acts as a unity symbol and grows us closer together,” Taggerty said.

Artist Karen Menard created paintings of sunflowers and a lady bug.

“I have created sunflowers in many forms and mediums, including paint, clay, and with fabric in quilts,” Menard shared. In this case, she used a hay bale.

The image of the lady bug is a tribute to her mother.

“Growing up, my sisters and I were Girl Scouts, and my mother was our troop leader. Her camp name was “Lady,” and my sisters and I and all of our friends called her that name. She passed away a few years ago, but she is fondly remembered whenever we see lady bugs.”

Randy Hernandez shared that he wanted to create a hay bale with a very “fall” feel.

The front is a friendly scarecrow, welcoming visitors to downtown.

The back is his rendition of “a colorful, dreamy landscape that you would typically see in the hills of Dade City.”

Avila noted that this is the first time that opportunities were offered for sponsorships, and these sponsors stepped up to help out: Dennis Realty, Florida Cracker Lunch on Limoges, Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, Karatinos Law PLLC, RX Care Pharmacy, Schaper Roofing, Construction & Pools, and Soriano Insurance.

Published October 27, 2021

Doesn’t this slice of pumpkin pie look inviting? This image comes courtesy of Ryah Taggerty and is on display at Naomi Jones Park, 38122 Martin Luther King Blvd.

 

 

 

Kevin Taggerty is shown here working on his depiction of the American flag, on a hay bale positioned at the Hardy Trail at 37856 Church Ave. The location is across from the American Legion.
Artist Karen Menard loves creating sunflowers and has done them in many forms, using paint, clay and fabric for her creations. In this case, she used a bale of hay. You can view it at Watson Park, on Main Avenue, between 17th and 19th streets.
This ‘lady’s’ bug is a tribute to artist Karen Menad’s mom, Dolores Griffin. It is on display at Watson park, on Main Avenue, between 17th and 19th streets.

 

Tourist tax dollars allocated for Dade City visitor center

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The Pasco County Commission approved an amount not to exceed $250,000 in tourist development tax dollars to be used for a visitor’s information center, in Dade City.

The county board approved the action during its Oct. 12 meeting.

This rendering shows the expected appearance of new visitor information center being built near Hardy Trail, in downtown Dade City. (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

The vote follows a previous agreement between the Dade City Commission and Pasco board to partner with the Destination Management Organization, known as Florida’s Sports Coast, to develop a visitor information center.

The idea, according to the county board’s agenda backup materials, is to take advantage of the strategic location of Dade City and its trail system.

The Tourist Development Council recommended funding of up to $250,000 for the project, which was approved by the county board.

COVID-19 issues delayed the full execution of the agreement, as well as the project itself.

When the project is completed, Dade City will send the county a written “Notice of Work Completion,” and the county will pay Dade City up to the approved amount.

If the project costs less than $250,000, the county has the discretion to transfer the remaining funds to Dade City for uses that are consistent with a specific section in state statutes, according to the backup materials.

The aim of the visitor’s center is to be a cyclist-friendly visitor center — within a trail system and a downtown area — in order to welcome trail users and visitors, and to promote downtown commerce and tourist amenities, both on and off the trail.

The money is being provided through the Pasco County Tourist Development Council, which receives its funding from taxes that visitors pay on accommodations.

Plans include a 1,380-square-foot open floor plan and two family bathrooms that meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

The center will be situated on the south side of Church Avenue, near the Hardy Trail multi-use trailhead.

Published October 20, 2021

Dade City seeks public feedback on Seventh Street improvements

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The City of Dade City is accepting public comments and ideas for conceptual traffic and beautification improvement plans for Seventh Street.

The City of Dade City is seeking public feedback on traffic and beautification improvements along Seventh Street. Shown here is a rendering of alternatives for a section on Seventh Street from Church Avenue to Meridian Avenue. (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

City officials seek to create a downtown area that’s attractive, walkable and bikeable, and will appeal to everyone visiting it.

To that end, the municipality has obtained the professional services of Johnson Engineering to develop a streetscape improvement conceptual plan along Seventh Street, from Pond Avenue to Florida Avenue. The type of improvements being considered along the corridor involve a complete street concept — including reconfiguring the sections for traffic calming, and to accommodate sidewalks, bike lanes, landscaping and lighting.

Johnson Engineering has prepared first-draft renderings of the possible configurations of each typical section of the corridor.

They have been broken down into four sections:

  • Florida Avenue to Church Avenue
  • Church Avenue to Meridian Avenue
  • Meridian Avenue to Martin Luther King Boulevard
  • Martin Luther King Boulevard to Pond Avenue

To provide feedback on the streetscape strategy and view renderings, visit DadeCityFl.com/news_detail_T1_R37.php.

For more information, call project manager Tina Mauriello at 352-523-5050, ext. 420.

Published October 13, 2021

Double groundbreaking dedicates homes

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Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County (HFHECPC) on Sept. 8 hosted a double groundbreaking ceremony for two homes on Church Avenue in Dade City.

Crystal Lazar, Habitat CEO, MisIvy Rettie Housing Authority, left, joins members of the Hooks family at the groundbreaking for their new home. (Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity)

Habitat staff joined Bellvis Hooks and Sonja Wenzel, along with their family and friends, at the dedication.

From left: Jere Ferguson, Habitat director of family services; Sonja Wenzel, Habitat homebuyer; Anniyah Smith, daughter; Nevaeh Ford, granddaughter; Jamal Smith, son; Kenneth O’ Brien, son; Terena Jones, Habitat CFO; and Crystal Lazar, Habitat CEO, during the groundbreaking for the Wenzel home.

“We are so happy to start building these two homes,” said Crystal Lazar, CEO and president of HFHECPC, in a news release.

“They are the final homes in this five-home neighborhood in downtown Dade City. These families have worked very hard to have the opportunity to become homeowners, and we are so proud of how far they have come,” said Lazar.

Hooks and her four children acknowledged that this has been a long journey, but they are encouraged by the progress that the groundbreaking represents, and they are excited to work on their own home.

Wenzel brought her family so they could see the location of their new home.

Standing in the quiet residential neighborhood, Wenzel’s son Kenneth remarked, “I really like this area. I can’t wait to move in here and make it our home.”

Watching the homes become a reality is something Habitat staffers hope will become a cherished memory for the families.

Published September 22, 2021

Pasco seeing tourism gains, road improvements

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Tourism is ramping up in Pasco County and considerable roadwork is underway, too, to make it easier for motorists to get around.

Those were the main messages delivered by Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore at a meeting of the East Pasco Networking Group.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore was a featured guest speaker during an April 27 East Pasco Networking Group meeting at IHOP in Dade City. (Kevin Weiss)

Moore, chairman of the Pasco County Tourist Development Council, described how well the 98,000-square-foot Wiregrass Sports Campus of Pasco County has been performing, even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sports complex, at 3211 Lajuana Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, has been attracting youth and amateur sporting events year-round since its August 2020 opening.

The indoor space can accommodate up to 17 different sports — including basketball, volleyball and cheerleading, or pickleball, futsal, wrestling, mixed martial arts, karate and others.

This widespread flexibility has seemingly been put to good use, with weekdays set aside for residents and weekends generally reserved for large-scale tournaments that can become family affairs, as parents and siblings road trip together.

Moore observed the complex is “constantly full.”

“Every single weekend there is a tournament there where people are coming from somewhere else,” he said. “There’s weekends where we get over 2,000 room nights for those tournaments. So, what happens? Hoteliers are obviously happy, supplying those jobs for our hotels. Those small businesses, restaurants, retail, gas pumps – everybody’s benefiting when you bring those people here.”

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore expressed optimism about the county’s tourism future, given amenities such as the 98,000-square-foot Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, in Wesley Chapel. (File)

Moore also pointed to AdventHealth Center Ice, which has continued to be a major draw since opening in January 2017, at 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

At 150,000 square feet, it’s the largest ice sports facility in the southeastern United States, with four full-size rinks and one kid-size rink.

It’s regarded for being the training grounds of the 2018 U.S. women’s national hockey team that went on to win an Olympic gold medal in PyeongChang, South Korea.

“The ice rink is incredible,” Moore said. “They have tournaments on the weekends, international tournaments, and people coming from Canada, South America, people coming from over in Europe to literally play hockey right here at Center Ice.”

Moore posited that such youth, amateur and community-focused facilities can yield very similar — if not greater — economic impact as a major professional sports franchise, such as the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which plays eight regular season home games, plus a few preseason and postseason contests.

“Those (facilities) have just as large of an impact as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playing on Sunday, when you think about how many people are (cumulatively) traveling for those events, and especially when they’re every single weekend.

“Personally I think it’s so much better to have these types of facilities than a pro sports team, because it’s a year-round benefit for the businesses in Pasco County, not just eight times a year or 10 times a year.

“These people, they’re traveling with their families, too. These kids aren’t typically driving on their own, their whole family’s coming (to Pasco).”

Moore addressed a number of roadway infrastructure projects, like the State Road 54 widening from east of Curley Road to east of Morris Bridge Road in the Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills areas. (File)

Moore addressed other recreational and tourism developments, as well, such as the ongoing construction of a visitor’s center/bike hub in the heart of downtown Dade City, across from the Roy T. Hardy trailhead, at the corner of Church Avenue and Eighth Street.

The $250,000 project — expected to be complete in June — was funded by the county’s tourist development tax dollars.

The amenity is set to further motivate beginner and avid cyclists alike to stop in Dade City.

It also may serve as a driver for more organized road cycling races to the surrounding East Pasco area, too.

“We know how big biking is in this area,” Moore said. “You’ve got people coming from all over the country to Dade City, to ride those hills.”

Further on the tourism and recreation front, Moore mentioned an 18,000-square-foot indoor recreation center at Wesley Chapel District Park will be complete in July. The public-use facility will offer programming for basketball, volleyball and other activities for all ages. There’s meeting room space for clubs and other organizations, also. “That’s going to be beautiful,” Moore said of the forthcoming center.

Regarding road construction, Moore pointed out that many of the roads that traverse the county are state roads — and a considerable amount of work is being done to improve those roads.

Among them are construction projects on State Road 52, State Road 54, and an interchange improvement at State Road 56 and Interstate 75.

There’s also a new diamond interchange that will include a flyover ramp for westbound Overpass Road access onto southbound I-75.

To accommodate the new interchange, Overpass Road will be widened from two lanes to four lanes between the interstate and Old Pasco Road, and six lanes between the interstate and Boyette Road. Blair Drive will be realigned to connect with Old Pasco Road. McKendree Road will be realigned to connect with Boyette Road.

The $64 million design-built project aims to provide more relief to other exits off I-75, Moore said.

“When you think about people living in Dade City and San Antonio, and coming and living in that area, they’ll be able to get off that new overpass interchange and go right through Epperson Ranch and Connected City, and get right into Dade City, if they don’t want to take the next Dade City exit.”

Moore added the project’s contractor, The Middlesex Corporation, “is moving really fast,” with an estimated completion of summer 2023.

Meanwhile, the commissioner mentioned the county has another $6 million in state funds to support connection and widening projects along the U.S. 98/U.S. 301 corridor.

These “important” roadway upgrades should help alleviate freight truck traffic and allow for the movement of goods without jumping major highways, he explained.

Combined with the proximity to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, CSX Transportation Railroad, and an emerging light industrial manufacturing hub, the roadway plan “really helps when you think about the economy in this area,” he said.

Published May 19, 2021

June opening anticipated for Dade City bike hub

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Bicyclists and fellow exercisers alike will soon have an idyllic spot in Dade City to relax and take a breather — thanks to a new visitor’s information welcome center and bike hub that’ll help anchor a forthcoming downtown park site.

The visitor’s information welcome center/bike hub concept — aptly referred to as “Spoke” or “Hub” — will be situated in the heart of downtown Dade City, across from the Roy T. Hardy trailhead, at the corner of Church Avenue and Eighth Street.

The visitor’s center/bike hub is just one aspect of a grander 2-acre-plus downtown park site in Dade City, to eventually include an inclusive/ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-accessible playground, amphitheater for outdoor venues and children’s splash pad, among other amenities. (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

Project construction officially kicked off following a March 10 groundbreaking ceremony. Since then, footers have since been set and concrete poured.

Dade City officials anticipate a June grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to a presentation from the city’s community and economic development director Melanie Romagnoli, during a March 24 Pasco County Tourist Development Council meeting.

The tourist-friendly project is multi-faceted.

The roughly 1,500 square-foot welcome center takes on an open space interior concept that will house brochure kiosks for other countywide tourism partners to promote upcoming activities and attractions, museums, art exhibits and places of interest.

The city also is seeking sponsorships to incorporate digital displays, additional outlets and internet connectivity capabilities at the center.

Romagnoli explained of the concept: “We want to be able to have a mobile area for our partners in the tourism industry to be able to display what’s going on in their areas, so it can be anything from, let’s say, like the Dade City Heritage (and Cultural) Museum, or even the West Pasco (Historical Society) Museum, if they want to bring something over and put it in.”

The facility also will include two outdoor covered porch areas with seating options, as well as an exterior bike shelter, with parking stations and repair stands for traveling bicyclists. Two public restrooms also will be included.

The welcome center/bike hub is being funded with the help of a $250,000 grant from the Pasco County Tourist Development Council (TDC) and its official destination marketing organization, Experience Florida’s Sports Coast, which promotes Pasco’s varied outdoor and recreational offerings.

Pasco County TDC chairman Mike Moore during the meeting said the welcome center/bike hub will be “a great addition to the community and county, as a whole.”

The facility is a corner part of the quaint East Pasco town’s multi-use downtown park concept —  to eventually feature an inclusive/ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-accessible playground, amphitheater for outdoor venues, and children’s splash pad and other amenities.

The city originally purchased a 2.23-acre property for the park site in December 2019 for $800,000 from the family of local businessman Otto Weitzenkorn.

From there, the bidding process, construction contracts and permitting on the visitor’s center/bike hub alone wrapped up in February.

Other elements of the planned park may not come to fruition for some time, as the city collects public input, and establishes specific design and engineered plans.

Total investment of the entire downtown park could exceed $3 million, officials previously have estimated.

The city is seeking grant opportunities and other funding sources to help pay for the multi-use park.

Dade City leaders have said the park project is designed to help revitalize the downtown business district, while also offering another recreational outlet for local youth, residents and visitors.

Officials also say that the park fits with the city’s vision of fostering a healthy and age-friendly community.

Published April 14, 2021

New welcome center coming to Dade City

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Andy Taylor, legislative aide to Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore; Camille Hernandez, mayor of Dade City; and, Adam Thomas, tourism director for Pasco County for Destination Management Organization, all take part in a groundbreaking ceremony at the new welcome center in Dade City. (Courtesy of Experience Florida’s Sports Coast)

Dade City is pushing ahead to make the Roy Hardy Trail more tourist-friendly. Officials gathered on March 10 for the groundbreaking of a new visitor’s information welcome center, to be located on the south side of Church Avenue, near the Hardy Trail multi-use trailhead.

The building, which is expected to open this summer, will include two family bathrooms that meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

The center will feature an open interior floor plan — allowing for vendor operations, area attractions, museums and art exhibits to host mobile displays.

The welcome center is part of a larger exterior space concept that envisions a bike-share hub with stations for parking, minor bicycle repairs and public resting areas for cyclists, and exercising pedestrians.

The visitor’s information center is being funded with the help of a $250,000 grant from the Pasco County Tourist Development Council.

Published March 17, 2021

This sign lets people know that Dade City’s new welcome center will be opening this summer. A groundbreaking celebration was held on March 10. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor)