The Laker/Lutz News

Ed Hooper

Portion of Ridge Road now open

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A portion of the Ridge Road extension has finally opened up — after some two decades in the making.

This new 4.2-mile, uninterrupted section of roadway runs from Moon Lake to the Suncoast Parkway — offering an east-west thoroughfare in the county.

Project manager Sam Beneck talked about the roadway and its importance. Eventually the road is planned to stretch as far as U.S. 301. But right now, Beneck hopes to finish the roadway as far as the Suncoast Parkway in the weeks ahead. (Fred Bellet)

Pasco County officials hosted a media-only availability and “drive the road” event on Dec. 22 in New Port Richey, for Phase One of the long-awaited roadway project.

Two of the four lanes were expected to open in the days following the special media gathering.

Various reporters and photographers had a chance to speak with county officials who’ve been instrumental in the road’s construction; news crews were escorted onto the roadway in county vehicles, as the location remains an active construction zone.

Pasco County Commission Vice Chair Jack Mariano touted the road’s first phase, and eventual build out, in an interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

Vehicles traveling south on the Suncoast Parkway pass over the Ridge Road extension. The area under the parkway’s underpass is still under construction.

“I am so delighted to see the Ridge Road extension getting ready to be opened up,” he said. “It’s been such a long time coming.”

The other two lanes of the 4.2-mile segment — from Town Center Road to Suncoast Parkway — are anticipated to be finished by fall 2022.

Meanwhile, the second leg of the extension, which is slated for completion in 2025, will extend Ridge Road to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

Total construction cost of the entire project is nearly $161 million, with over $151 million in project county funding.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore recently announced that he had asked State Rep. Ardian Zika and State Sen. Ed Hooper to sponsor legislation seeking $14 million for the project, adding they both have agreed to do so.

The completion date for the second leg might be accelerated, if the Florida Legislature provides additional funding for the project.

County officials have pushed for the extension for decades, justifying the need for it to provide an additional east-west hurricane evacuation route.

Stops along the several miles saw remedies to environmental concerns. Pouring from the staff vehicles, County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, pictured far left, leads the way as staff members, media and county commissioners observe a wildlife tunnel for critters wanting to cross from the south side of the new roadway to the north side.

The 9-mile extension, once completed to U.S. 41, also will relieve traffic on State Road 52 and State Road 54, the only two through east-west roads that carry traffic across the county.

“It’s going to alleviate on (State Road) 54 and (State Road) 52,” Mariano said. “It’s going to provide that hurricane evacuation route that’s so desperately needed, not only for Pasco County, but for Pinellas County, as well.”

He added, “The amount of time it saves, is about six hours for the evacuation, so it just makes our people that much safer and our community that much stronger.
The extension also will support the area’s burgeoning growth.

A huge development known as the Angeline community will be rising on thousands of acres, south of State Road 52 and west of U.S. 41.

The future growth includes a 775-acre Pasco campus planned by Moffitt Cancer Center, near the Ridge Road and Suncoast Parkway interchange.

Moffitt’s campus is expected to become a magnet for life sciences research.

The county’s elected leaders and economic development experts also expect Moffitt’s development to have a transformative effect on the area’s future development and to generate thousands of jobs.

Said Mariano, “With Moffitt coming in, it’s going to be a great boost for the economy, and allow easy access for west Pasco residents who want to work there, and back and forth.”

Published January 05, 2022

After decades of waiting, Ridge Road extension to open this month

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It has been more than two decades in the making — but the first segment of the Ridge Road extension is expected to open this month.

Don’t expect great fanfare to accompany that opening, though.

“The plan is, the second it can open to traffic, it will open to traffic, and we will have a big event at some point, after that day,” Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles told the Pasco County Commission on Dec. 7.

“Now, we may do some kind of small parade that day, but nothing big,” Biles added.

Biles explained that he’s not going to delay opening the road simply to schedule a celebration. It takes time for those things because it involves coordinating “a ton of different calendars,” he added.

The first leg of the extension will carry traffic from Moon Lake Road in New Port Richey to the Suncoast Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.

The second leg, which is slated for completion in 2025, will extend Ridge Road to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

The completion date for the second leg might be accelerated, if the Florida Legislature provides additional funding for the project.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore recently announced that he had asked State Rep. Ardian Zika and State Sen. Ed Hooper to sponsor legislation seeking $14 million for the project, adding they both have agreed to do so.

County officials have pushed for the extension for decades, justifying the need for it to provide an additional east-west hurricane evacuation route.

The new 9-mile extension, once completed to U.S. 41, also will relieve traffic on State Road 52 and State Road 54, the only two through east-west roads that carry traffic across the county.

The extension also will support the area’s burgeoning growth.

A huge development known as the Angeline community will be rising on thousands of acres, south of State Road 52 and west of U.S. 41.

The future growth includes a 775-acre Pasco campus planned by Moffitt Cancer Center, near the Ridge Road and Suncoast Parkway interchange.

Moffitt’s campus is expected to become a magnet for life sciences research.

The county’s elected leaders and economic development experts also expect Moffitt’s development to have a transformative effect on the area’s future development and to generate thousands of jobs.

Leadership from Pasco County Schools and Moffitt already foresee great possibilities of working together when the district builds its planned 6-12 STEAM school on land near Moffitt’s planned campus. The acronym STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

Published December 15, 2021

School funding issue highlights Pasco legislative delegation

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More than 30 citizens and civic leaders made their voices heard on various hot-button issues during the annual Pasco County Legislative Delegation meeting at Zephyrhills City Hall.

Refining funding for area schools was among the key themes at the Sept. 1 gathering.

The annual event allows residents, elected officials, representatives of city and county governments, and civic organizations to speak directly to their legislators prior to the start of the next legislative session.

The Pasco County Legislative Delegation annual pre-session meeting took place on Sept. 1 inside Zephyrhills City Hall. More than 30 citizens and civic leaders made their voices heard on various hot-button issues, including education, criminal justice, health care, small businesses, nonprofits, environmental and municipal infrastructure. (Kevin Weiss)

Pasco’s delegation includes State Reps. Amber Mariano, Ardian Zika and Randy Maggard; and State Sens. Wilton Simpson (current Senate president), Ed Hooper and Danny Burgess, respectively. Maggard was absent at the delegation meeting.

Pasco County School Board member Colleen Beaudoin opened the conversation on education — addressing the delegation on virtual school financing inequities.

Beaudoin asked state leadership to consider an amendment that would strike language from a Florida statute that puts Pasco’s virtual program at a disadvantage to the Florida Virtual School (FLVS) program.

Current law limits Pasco eSchool to earning full-time equivalency (FTE) funding during the 180-day school calendar, while the state’s virtual school can record FTEs throughout the summer,  Beaudoin explained.

This situation hurts students who wish to take online classes during the summer — whether that’s to meet graduation requirements or accelerate their learning, she said.

She also noted that Pasco eSchool offers more than 50 courses that are not available from FLVS, including high-interest electives, dual-enrollment, Advanced Placement, and career and technical courses.

“We want every opportunity to provide choice for our students and families,” said Beaudoin, a University of Tampa math instructor and department of education chair.

Beaudoin put forth three instances of funding being denied students to take district virtual classes.

“Please allow for the same funding that you provide for FLVS.”

United School Employees of Pasco president Don Peace stepped in to raise concerns about the state’s “formulation and categorical restrictions in the teacher salary increase allocation.”

The union leader said he agrees with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan to raise the floor on salaries to recruit new teachers.

But, Peace said there needs to be some accommodations for more experienced teachers, particularly regarding salary compression.

The first 15 years of teacher salaries have been compressed in Pasco — meaning that a 15-year teacher makes the same salary as a teacher fresh out of college, Peace said.

Peace suggested altering the state’s teacher salary allocation guidelines. Currently, it calls for 80% of funds to be used for increasing the base salary, with 20% for those already above the base salary.

He suggested that it should be split 50/50, which would allow school boards the ability to raise the ceiling on salaries to recognize long-term employees.

Peace also urged legislators to improve salaries for bus drivers, custodians, food and nutrition services workers and other support staff.

Tammy Rabon-Noyce is the executive director of CLASS Pasco, a nonprofit organization that represents the interests and advocacy for over 260 school principals, assistant principals and staffers.

She emphasized the need for legislators to involve school administrators and organizations such as CLASS Pasco in the drafting of education policies and funding.

She also asked the state to give local districts more freedom in spending decisions.

“We need autonomy over those (state) funds that you all so generously provide to us, and we ask that you consult with us — let us talk you through the implications of policies that you are considering, and tap our expertise,” Rabon-Noyce said.

Other topics included criminal justice, health care, small businesses, nonprofits, environmental and municipal infrastructure.

There was even talk about how the Sunshine State can better position itself to attract more film and television productions.

Tampa-based actor Ray Watters spoke on behalf of Film Florida, a statewide not-for-profit entertainment association.

The longtime professional actor underscored the potential economic windfall if Florida was able to attract more film and production companies.

“It’s really, really disheartening for me to know that Florida is the only state in the southeast, and one of 16 states throughout the U.S., without a program to compete for film and television projects, which puts us at a major competitive disadvantage,” he said.

Watters claimed that Florida has lost out on close to 100 major film and television projects that would’ve equated to over $1.5 billion spent statewide, 125,000 cast and crew jobs, and 250,000 hotel room nights.

A handful of passionate speakers called upon the legislative delegation to institute a statewide anti-tethering law.

Lutz resident Betsy Coville, a veterinarian for over three decades, said anti-tethering legislation promotes public safety and gives law enforcement additional tools to impede dog fighting.

Dog fighting, Coville added, is linked to illegal drugs and money laundering.

She also described the inhumane treatment endured by dogs who are tethered to a stationary object outdoors for lengthy periods.

“A dog on a chain has a very small, lonely world. They eat, sleep and live in the filth where they urinate and defecate,” Coville said.

“They’re at the mercy of rain, cold, heat, and sitting targets for biting insects and predators, both human and animal. They are not a part of a loving family, and rarely have appropriate food, shelter or veterinary care.

“Dogs are social animals and, over time, a lack of companionship and attention leads to fearful, anxious and often aggressive animals.”

Although four hours had been allotted for the legislative delegation meeting, speakers concluded their remarks within two hours.

Each guest speaker had been given three minutes to make their points and requests.

“Believe it or not folks, Pasco County has showed how you do a delegation meeting,” said Burgess the delegation chair, referring to the meeting’s efficiency.

The Florida Legislature kicks off the 2022 regular session on Jan. 11. The fall interim committee meeting schedule began Sept. 20 and runs through early December.

Published September 29, 2021

Dade City Commission solidifies legislative priorities

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The City of Dade City has identified four legislative priorities to present to the Pasco County legislative delegation at its upcoming annual meeting.

The session is for Sept. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Zephyrhills City Hall, 5335 Eighth St.

The public and representatives of various interest groups are invited to present their requests to the delegation before the 2022 Legislative Session begins.

Pasco’s delegation includes State Reps. Amber Mariano, Ardian Zika and Randy Maggard; and State Sens. Wilton Simpson, Ed Hooper and Danny Burgess, respectively.

The Dade City Commission is seeking state funding for these key priorities:

  • Morningside Drive Extension: $8 million
  • Meridian Avenue/21st Street/St. Joe Road-Suwanee Way Intersection: $4.2 million
  • Wastewater Transmission Forcemain: $4.7 million
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant Relocation — design and permitting: $1.75 million

The four projects are described, in a staff memo, as elements that would foster “an overall favorable effect on our local and regional economic development efforts.”

The extension of Morningside Drive to connect U.S. 301 to Fort King Road is undergoing a route study, design and engineering of the project, following a $5 million state appropriation in 2019. Another $8 million is needed to complete the project, with rising construction and right of way acquisition costs. The preferred 1.19-mile route is shown in the rendering. (File)

The city document explains how the municipality’s economy has been “greatly enhanced” through redevelopment efforts during the past several years.

But it also underscores the town’s “many challenges” that are related to its aging infrastructure systems and its large percentage of nontaxable properties.

The memo also mentions “the need to attract more business, industry and residential rooftops to help improve its local economic situation.”

Dade City, incorporated in 1889, has a population of about 7,400. It is the county seat of Pasco County.

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

Morningside Drive Extension
The primary aim of extending Morningside Drive is to relieve Clinton and Meridian avenues by providing additional eastbound and westbound travel options for residents and visitors. But the extension also would provide direct east-west access for AdventHealth Dade City.

The proposed roadway also would accommodate new development, improve emergency response times and serve as a corridor for the extension of utility services.

City leaders, however, were surprised when they learned the project’s expected cost.

The city received $5 million in state appropriations in 2019 and is now asking for an additional $8 million. That money, if awarded, would go toward securing necessary right of way and constructing the road.

The initial $5 million is paying for a route study, design and engineering of the project.

Meridian Avenue/21st Street/St. Joe Road-Suwanee Way Intersection
Officials say a roundabout would greatly improve efficiency and safety at this five-point intersection on State Road 52.

The project is promoted as a gateway to assist the town’s central business district and surrounding neighborhoods. It also is expected to provide a better traffic pattern for city and county residential subdivisions that are approved to be built west of the intersection.

City Manager Leslie Porter told commissioners that state legislators in the district have encouraged the city to submit the project for funding.

This comes after the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) narrowed the original project’s scope and pushed it back on their priorities list, she said.

The intersection request will call for a full roundabout to best leverage safety factors, Porter said, and therefore would most likely require the acquisition of right of way, hence the $4.2 million price tag.

Mayor Camille Hernandez labeled this asking price as “much more realistic” compared to some lower estimated costs thrown around in prior meetings and discussions surrounding the project.

Wastewater Transmission Forcemain
In simple terms, construction of a new wastewater transmission forcemain will direct wastewater to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

The $4.7 million project is designed to foster growth in a financially disadvantaged community, too, officials say, with a secondary benefit being the reduced need for septic systems to serve commercial and residential growth.

The city manager told commissioners that staff also is pursuing a separate grant opportunity for the force main initiative.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Relocation — design and permitting
Dade City currently owns and operates a 1.5 million-gallons per day (MGD) wastewater treatment facility situated in the heart of the environmental justice Mickens-Harper neighborhood.

But this current facility site is built out with no room for expansion or upgrades to accommodate a higher level of treatment, officials say.

Meanwhile, the city is experiencing an increase in development that will impact future capacity.

The project also is slated to benefit the environment and impaired water bodies — Withlacoochee River Basin, Big Gant Canal — into the Hillsborough River Basin through implementation of a three-stage biological nutrient removal process.

Aside from seeking $1.75 million in state appropriations for design and permitting, Porter told commissioners the city is pursuing alternative means to see the entire project through.

“This is, you all know, a large project, so we’re looking at every possible funding source we can,” Porter said.

After the commissioners reached consensus on their priority projects, at the commission’s July 27 meeting, the mayor encouraged city stakeholders to attend and take part in the upcoming delegation meeting.

Hernandez — who plans to attend — urged that whoever speaks on behalf of the city keep talking points on the projects “very brief and to the point,” as more in-depth presentation materials can be sent to legislators’ aides ahead of time.

“We learned that brevity is a good thing, especially at those events,” said Hernandez. “There’s lots going on. It’s one after another for (the legislators), so it’s a pretty busy day.”

Porter concurred “a very brief script” is the way to go when addressing the delegation.

Hernandez went on to point out there’s no indication any or all of the projects — some carryovers from prior years — will get sponsored for state funding. “They may all go by the wayside, (or) something may get picked up,” she stated.

Commissioner Scott Black offered optimism regarding the possibility of securing state funding for the designated projects.

Published August 25, 2021

Zephyrhills keeps busy — with lots of irons in the fire

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The City of Zephyrhills is involved in numerous initiatives, and City Manager Billy Poe recently updated the city’s elected leaders on what’s happening on numerous fronts.

For one thing, a staff-level meeting has been scheduled with state Sen. Danny Burgess, state Rep. Randy Maggard and the Pasco Economic Development Council regarding “future opportunities” at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, Poe told members of the Zephyrhills City Council, at its Aug. 9 meeting.

He also informed them that the Florida Army National Guard is still evaluating parcels in the area of the municipal airport to build an armory — a project that’s received $25 million in state funding.

Poe told council members that the National Guard plans to purchase a property, instead of lease property from the city, as originally anticipated.

Funding for the armory project must be encumbered by 2024 and completely spent by 2026, Poe said.

The city manager also said that staff is hammering out a new lease agreement for the Zephyrhills Municipal Golf Course, an 18-hole, par 68 course, at 39248 B Ave., in Zephyrhills. It’s expected to be presented during an Aug. 23 council meeting.

At one point the golf course was being considered as a possible location for the armory building.

Poe also told council members that appropriation funding requests to present to the 2022 state legislative session will be evaluated and finalized during the council’s Aug. 23 meeting.

Staff and council members have been tasked to prepare ideas and input on necessary projects within the city limits, to present to state legislators.

Poe noted: “You know, the things that they (legislators) look at the most are projects that are economic drivers, so that’s what we need to be thinking about.”

The annual Pasco County Legislative Delegation public meeting is scheduled for Sept. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Zephyrhills City Hall, on 5335 Eighth St. Legislators to be present include Senators Wilton Simpson, Ed Hooper and Danny Burgess, and Representatives Amber Mariano, Ardian Zika and Randy Maggard.

Poe also told council members that progress is being made on the 2021-2022 fiscal year budget, which is undergoing “a few changes or some additions.”

In another update, Poe noted the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center is set to host the SVB Padel Open, from Aug. 27 through Aug. 29.

The tournament initially was promoted as an international padel tournament — featuring a team from Spain — but has been scaled back to feature just local competition, amid coronavirus-related travel restrictions, Poe said.

Another padel tournament incorporating international competition is expected to be scheduled at a later date, he said.

Finally, the city manager said that city staff is working on making applications for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for these projects:

  • Transforming Seventh Street into a complete street
  • Purchasing and installing generators for the city’s utilities department
  • Construction of a city maintenance yard.

Published August 18, 2021