The Laker/Lutz News

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UPS becomes final occupant in spec building project

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The Asturia Corporate Center, a speculative building project supported by Penny for Pasco funding, has reached full occupancy, according to a Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., news release.

UPS has become the final tenant in the 235,000-square-foot building that is now filled to  capacity, with a mix of occupants, representing various target industry sectors.

Taxpayer funds, generated through Penny for Pasco revenues, have supported this speculative building project, which is now 100% occupied by a mix of tenants, bringing new job opportunities to Pasco County. Voter-approved Penny for Pasco revenues are designated for a variety of uses, including economic development, public safety vehicles and equipment, conservation of land and natural resources, transportation infrastructure, and enhancements to school facilities. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.)

Building speculative space is a risky business considering the costs of developing infrastructure, the Pasco EDC release points out.

“Early in the current development cycle, the Penny for Pasco, a Pasco taxpayer approved $0.01 sales tax, helped bridge capital gaps with loans to developers willing to build speculative space,” the release adds.

The goal of bringing new office and industrial space to market to attract new and expanding industries has proved successful, the release continues.

“In 2018, Pasco County Commissioners approved a 10-year, $7 million Penny for Pasco loan to HP Asturia, LLC (Harrod Development) to build Asturia Corporate Center, a $26 million, 235,000-square-foot speculative “Flex-Industrial” project to meet the demands of Pasco’s rapidly growing industrial sectors.

“Many companies don’t have years to search for a location and build out an entire facility, and that’s why these speculative projects are so important,” Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC president/CEO, explained in the release.

“I can’t emphasize enough the importance of having a local government who truly understands the support our business community needs. Now Pasco is experiencing sustained growth and market demand attracting speculative development that would not be possible without the Penny for Pasco.”

Asturia Corporate Center’s tenant mix includes UPS, Lowe’s, Stratford Care and Belmar— bringing 286 new jobs to Pasco, when all the tenant improvements are completed, the release says.

It is expected to create up to 400 total jobs created over the life of the leases, the release adds.

The news release also points out that once fully completed, the project is expected to bring close to $35 million, annually, in positive economic impact to Pasco’s Gross County Product over the next 10 years. Those figures are based on estimates from Pasco County’s Office of Economic Growth, according to the release.

The county board chairwoman also weighed in.

“The success of the Asturia Corporate Center is a perfect example of Pasco’s Master Planned Unit Development (MPUD) strategy.

“We encourage developers to design business parks into their residential developments, and when we work together, great companies with high paying jobs want to move to Pasco,” Pasco County Commission Chairman Kathryn Starkey, said in the release.

Penny for Pasco has twice been approved by Pasco voters. It is a tax, paid at the rate of 1 cent per each dollar per sale, up to a sales amount of $5,000, according to the Pasco County website.

The funds are designated for economic development, public safety vehicles and equipment, conservation of land and natural resources, transportation infrastructure improvements, and enhancements to educational facilities.

The first Penny for Pasco Local Government Infrastructure Surtax was passed by Pasco County voters on March 9, 2004 and was in effect from Jan. 1, 2005 through Dec. 31, 2014, and collected more than $320,000,000.

On Nov. 6, 2012, voters approved the continuation of Penny for Pasco for 10 additional years, garnering support from 70% of the county’s voters. Under that vote, the county began collecting Penny for Pasco revenues in January 2015 and will continue collecting them through  Dec. 31, 2024.

Proceeds from the second round of Penny for Pasco are expected to exceed $700,000,000, the website says.

Published January 26, 2022

Updated mobility fees proposed in Pasco

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The Pasco County Commission is expected to take final action on an update to the county’s mobility fees at its Dec. 11 meeting.

Commissioners are expected to approve several changes, which include adding new categories and reducing some fees.

Mobility fees are based on the transportation impacts caused by new development, which is typically expressed in the number of trips the development generates.

These fees are one-time charges to new construction.

The update calls for reducing fees in these categories: High-rise condominiums; age-restricted communities; congregate care facilities; college/university in suburban/rural areas; churches in suburban areas; hospitals; and hardware/paint stores (but not big box stores, such as Lowe’s or Home Depot).

The update also introduces five new land uses: Non-veterinary kennel; breakfast/lunch only restaurant; fast-casual restaurant; ice-skating arena; and active/passive warehouse.

The update also calls for reducing the fee for residential development in rural areas on lots of 5 acres or more.

Currently, the mobility fee for a new single-family home is $9,800 in the rural district; $8,570 in the suburban district; and, $5,835 in the urban district.

Under the proposed rate schedule, a new single-family home built on 5 acres or more in the rural district would pay the same fee as the same-size home built in the suburban district, which is $8,570. Those built on smaller lots in the rural district would continue to pay $9,800.

Besides changing specific categories, there’s also a proposal to update the mobility fee schedule every five years, instead of approximately every three years, as has been the practice.

Lengthening the time between updates, coupled with an increasing number of permit applications, would allow the county to reduce the permit administration fee from $392 per permit to $136 per permit.

The update also proposed additional incentives to spur development along U.S. 19.

During a previous workshop, commissioners talked about dropping discount rates for market-rate apartments in the urban district and removing discounts for mini-warehouses.

Now, commissioners appear likely to move ahead on the mobility fee package, but to have staff take a deeper look at the issue of market-rate apartments and mini-warehouses.

They want staff to look at those issues, both in term of mobility fees and zoning. That process could take months to complete.

Commissioner Mike Moore was unsuccessful in persuading his colleagues to drop the incentive for high-end apartments.

He makes no secret of his opposition to what he views as an oversaturation of apartment development along State Road 54/State Road 56.

Besides taking up space that would be better left for other types of development that creates jobs, Moore said he’s concerned about potential long-term consequences of too much apartment development.

Moore said he’s not talking about dropping the incentive for apartments that have already been approved.

“There are quite a few entitlements currently out there already. I understand that some people have already budgeted for their project and increasing the fees at this time could have a negative impact. I get it. They’d be grandfathered in,” Moore said.

But, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey offered a different perspective.

“I think multifamily serves an important need in our community,” Starkey said.

“It’s not whether I like them or not. Do I think there’s a use in the community for people who can’t afford a house in a gated community? Yes, I do.

“I think the market will dictate whether these get built or not,” she said.

She also noted that when the extension of State Road 56 is completed between Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wesley Chapel and U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills, there likely will be demand for apartments there.

“I would think that some of that community might like some nice, new apartments,” she said.

Commissioner Mike Wells said he supported the planning commission’s recommendation on the mobility fee update.

Wells also agreed with Starkey: “The market decides.”

Land use attorney Clarke Hobby, who served on the county’s mobility fees committee, noted the committee did not discuss whether the fees should be changed for apartments or mini-warehouses.

That discussion came up during a board workshop on the issue, after the mobility fee committee completed its work.

“We didn’t know this was an issue,” Hobby said, adding that’s a significant issue to address without getting the mobility fee committee’s input.

Hobby also pointed out that the county has expressed a desire to prevent urban sprawl.

“Now, you’re just saying you want suburban sprawl in the urban service area, if we go down that route,” Hobby said.

Commissioners didn’t take any action during the first public hearing on the updated fee schedule held on Nov. 27, but based on their discussion, it appears likely they will approve the updated mobility fee schedule at the Dec. 11 public hearing.

Published December 5, 2018

Bus express service links Wesley Chapel and Tampa

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A new express bus service running from Wesley Chapel to downtown Tampa could potentially carry about 200,000 passengers annually, according to calculations by officials at the Hillsborough Area Transit Authority, also known as HART.

The 275LX bus route, which launched July 1, was among the topics discussed at the monthly economic development briefing luncheon sponsored by the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

About 20 people attended the luncheon at Hunter’s Green Golf & Country Club on July 26.

Ruthie Reyes Burckard

Ruthie Reyes Burckard, HART’s chief operations officer, was guest speaker.

She gave an overview of the 275LX, as well as other upcoming bus services from HART, and efforts to increase regional connections into Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.

Burckard said estimates on annual ridership aboard the 275LX are based on factors, such as community density and employment centers.

The 275LX route includes a bus stop at the Wiregrass park-n-ride, at 28222 Willet Way. The lot is near Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel and The Shops at Wiregrass. There also is a stop at the Lowe’s park-n-ride in New Tampa, at 16907 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Passengers are picked up hourly, seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The new 275LX route replaces the 51LX, which had limited pickups from the Wiregrass park-in-ride traveling to Marion Transit Center in downtown Tampa. There were two trips up n the morning and two trips back in the afternoon to Wesley Chapel.

“It wasn’t very productive,” Burckard said, adding that people didn’t seem to like the lack of options.

HART routinely does third-quarter reviews of its bus services, said Burckard. “We’ve been continuously looking at our services, and tweaking.”

The 275LX express route includes stops at Wiregrass park-in-ride, Tampa International Airport and the James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital. (File)

That will happen in coming months, with the new express route. “If there are adjustments to be made, we’ll be looking very closely at that,” Burckard said.

On the 275LX, buses ride along Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, and Interstate 275 toward Tampa, with stops at Tampa International Airport, James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital, the University area by University of South Florida, and the Marion Transit Center in downtown Tampa.

A one-way ride takes about an hour and 45 minutes. The cost is $2 each way.

The park-in-rides are free to use. However, Burckard said the lots aren’t available for overnight or multiple days of parking. So, for people taking the bus to catch a flight at Tampa’s airport, they should have someone drop them off at the park-in-ride, she said.

The 275LX is useful in making tri-county connections, or to other bus routes in Tampa.

For instance, the University area bus stop allows transfers to Temple Terrace. At Marion Transit, passengers can connect with Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority.

Funding for the 275LX is from the Florida Department of Transportation. The state transportation department also gave HART a $1 million grant for a pilot project to test a low-speed, self-driving bus between the Marion Transit Center and the southern end of downtown Tampa.

That is expected to launch in fiscal year 2019.

In October, the TECO Line Streetcar System will begin providing free rides for the next three years. Funding is about $200,000 from Tampa Electric Company, or TECO, and about $2.7 million from FDOT.

One-way fares between the Channelside District and Ybor City currently cost $2.50.

A study is planned to consider extending the existing 2.7 miles of streetcar track.

HART also is launching the Flamingo Fares mobile application, which provides regional bus fare passes. Hillsborough County, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota will partner in this.

One bus pass can be used for rides on all systems.

“You don’t have to buy fare passes for each and every connection,” Burckard said.

Published August 1, 2018

Business community weathers Hurricane Irma

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Hurricane Irma left residents and business owners in northern Hillsborough, east Pasco and central Pasco assessing damage, cleaning up the mess, and, calculating their losses and counting their blessings.

Walgreens drugstore let people know it was open for business after Hurricane Irma’s departure. (B.C. Manion)

For business owners, the focus was on reopening and getting Pasco County’s commercial back in motion.

The effort goes on.

Zephyrhills’ chamber gave shelter
With shelters filled to capacity, The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce on Fifth Avenue opened its doors for three families to weather Hurricane Irma.

“They did well in our building,” said Melanie Monson, the chamber’s executive director.

Someone even managed to get some video footage of the storm.

In the aftermath, Monson and chamber staff pitched in to help people in need — including clearing debris and cutting up trees.

“Anything we can do to get people’s lives back, we did,” she said.

Zephyrhills’ businesses generally were luckier, and appeared to suffer less damage than other parts of the county. A few roofs were coming off, and a lot of trees were felled.

Duke Energy estimated that the Zephyrhills area, including its businesses, would have power restored by Sept. 15. Withlacoochee Electric said it might take longer for some of its customers.

The chamber cancelled all events the week of the storm, including its Citizens of the Month awards to area students.

“We’re going to double up for October, and do double the number of students,” Monson said.

Ukulele’s playing its tune again
Bryant Brand, owner of Ukulele Brand’s, reopened the waterside restaurant in Land O’ Lakes on Sept. 12 at 3 p.m. The restaurant lost power for more than 12 hours.

Some food had to be tossed out, but Brand said the restaurant withstood the battering winds. A floating dock still floated, but dipped about a foot-and-a-half underwater.

Brand said he would wait to see if the water drained away, and what kind of damage was done.

Within 30 minutes of the restaurant’s opening, cars began filling the parking lot, and hurricane-weary residents headed for the outdoor tables or the cooler bar inside.

It was business as usual.

The Shops at Wiregrass pitches in to help
Hurricanes have threatened in the past, but Hurricane Irma delivered.

“It was definitely a learning experience for everyone,” said Greg Lenners, general manager at The Shops at Wiregrass.

With Irma waffling on her direction, Lenners said the decision to close the mall came on Sept. 9, when it appeared obvious the hurricane had west Florida, and Pasco County, in her sights.

Something unexpected happened.

Some residents decided to leave their cars in the mall’s garage for safe keeping.

“Parking in the garage caught us by surprise, but we allowed them to park there to be a good neighbor,” Lenners said.

The mall came through without damage, and mall officials hoped to reopen on the afternoon of Sept. 11. Out of caution, the opening was delayed until Sept. 12, though a few restaurants opened doors sooner.

Yamato’s Japanese Steakhouse and Pincher’s seafood shack on Sept. 11 had long lines of residents eager to put Irma behind them with a hot meal and a cool place to hang out.

“I think we were all stir crazy, and had no power,” Lenners said.

Irma’s timing couldn’t have been worse. She came during a weekend, when shops and restaurants normally look forward to crowds.

“It certainly was a blow,” Lenners said, but noted it was too early to tell the precise impacts.

There already is some rebound, in part, due to schools closing for the week, he noted.

“You did have a lot of families off work because their businesses didn’t have power,” he said. “We’ve started seeing an uptick in traffic on Tuesday (Sept. 12).”

The mall planned to partner with 99.5 QYK radio station on Sept. 15 for a Help Our Community Heal event. The radio station was scheduled to hand out free water and batteries, and provide charging stations for people needing help. Donations also were being collected to aid about 700 linemen who have been restoring power.

Drive-through here and there
Motorists wrapped their cars around McDonald’s at Connerton on Tuesday morning, eager to grab bags full of breakfast foods and hot coffee from the drive-through lane.

Area restaurants that were able to open immediately after Hurricane Irma activated drive-through windows, with limited menus.

Kentucky Fried Chicken on State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes also was among the fast-food chains with lines of cars quickly surrounding the restaurant.

Tampa Premium Outlets is shopper ready
Tampa Premium Outlets reported no problems arising from Hurricane Irma. As of Sept. 12, stores began opening and the outlet mall “is open for business as usual,” said Sarah Rasheid, in a written statement. Rasheid is director of marketing and business development.

“We recognize the devastation our communities are experiencing by Hurricane Irma’s arrival in Florida,” Rasheid said in her statement. “It is heartbreaking when events like these occur, and our thoughts and prayers are with all the families throughout the state.”

Home improvement stores fill needs, before and after
Home improvement stores, like Home Depot and Lowe’s, were slammed with customers frantic to buy plywood to board up their homes, generators to keep refrigerators running and flashlights to light the dark.

Now that Irma is history, shopping is getting back to normal.

But, there also have been plenty of residents needing cleanup supplies.

Lowe’s, on State Road 54, east of U.S. 41, sent in a small team of employees to get the store ready for its reopening on Sept. 12.

The store shut down about lunchtime on Sept. 9, before Irma struck.

“I’d love to see power returned to the whole area,” said Michael Armstrong, Lowe’s store manager.

Since reopening, Armstrong has seen a mix of customers. Buying is happening across all categories, he added.

People are filling carts with flowers, patio cushions and usual needs of a home. But, he said others are on the hunt for cleaning supplies, rakes, yard clippers and tarps for their roofs.

Those still without power also wanted flashlights, he said.

In the midst of providing area residents with their hurricane needs, Lowe’s, as a company, also had to consider its own employees.

Armstrong said employees had to think of their own safety and their families. Their decisions reflected the dilemmas everyone had. And, he said some opted to evacuate; others stayed.

“We keep a list of associates,” he said. “As soon as the hurricane was over, we started calling everyone. At 9 a.m., yesterday, (Sept. 12) we reached the last one. It’s not just about coming to work. It’s ‘we want to check on you. See how you’re doing’.”

As of Wednesday, Lowe’s was on track for a normal business day.

Dade City ready to rebound
Dade City’s downtown businesses took a hit during Hurricane Irma. But, with power restored, they began opening doors around mid-week to shoppers and diners.

For two days after Irma passed, downtown seemed “very quiet,” said John Moors, executive director of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

“I haven’t heard of anything looking major, except for cosmetic stuff and trees down,” he said.

Revenue losses are to be expected, however.

“There’s definitely concern over the whole week,” Moors said. “The major thing is people were safe. It’s just a lot of work to get cleared up.”

It’s early yet, but Moors said some merchants might want to explore hosting a special event to help businesses rebound from Irma.

Published September 20, 2017

Comforting kids through teddy bears

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For the second year, Lowe’s collected huggable teddy bears for a good cause.

Two volunteer deputies with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office stopped by the home improvement store on Sept. 8 to load up about 250 teddy bears.

From left, Douglas O’Connor, Dante Plesce, Don McLachlan, Jan Wyckoff, Michael Armstrong and Tim Huff pose with the donated bears that will be delivered to comfort children when Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies respond to emergency calls. (Kathy Steele)

They scooped the plush animals from a table piled high with bears of all sizes and colors.

The teddy bears are given to sheriff’s deputies who hand them out to children when they respond to emergency calls, including domestic violence situations. It’s a way to ease a child’s stress.

Lowe’s collected the stuffed animals for about a month-and-a-half, filling up a large cardboard box placed at an entrance. The contributions came from customers and employees at the Lowe’s location on State Road 54, east of U.S. 41.

“Everyone donated,” said Lowe’s representative, Don McLachlan. “We had such a great response to it.”

Last year’s teddy bear haul took in about 140 bears. The program got started by employees who wanted to help out the community.

The annual teddy bear drive this year was noticeably larger — up by nearly 110 bears over last year.

“I just feel really good that we’re able to put this together to help the kids,” said McLachlan.

Published September 20, 2017

Eagle Scout project honors those who served

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When Michael Valenti was looking for his Eagle Scout project, he didn’t have to look very far.

He belongs to Boy Scout Troop 12, in Lutz, and it meets just a couple of blocks away from the Lutz Memorial Park.

Michael Valenti joined scouting when he was in third grade. The 16-year-old spearheaded a project to spruce up Lutz Memorial Park. (Courtesy of Ron Valenti)

The 16-year-old said he had noticed that the Lutz Memorial Park, at 98 First Ave., N.W., needed a bit of sprucing up, and he decided it would be a fitting Eagle Scout project.

So, he organized a team of helpers, secured donations and got busy.

The base for the flagpole was already there, but it wasn’t in good shape, Valenti said.

“There was just grass all around here, so when the mowers would come, they would chip out the base,” he explained. “Some of the paint was peeling off.”

The plaque wasn’t in great shape, either.

“We removed the sign, scraped all of the paint off. We repainted it, and we got these two new signs,” Valenti said. The new plaques came from Crown Trophy in New Tampa.

Before the project began, crews from Hillsborough County’s Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department removed some concrete.

Then, Valenti and his volunteers went to work.

Michael Valenti, of Lutz, did an Eagle Scout project to spruce up Lutz Memorial Park. More than 40 people helped, over two weekends, to beautify the space.

“We laid the concrete, then we planted this large flower box around it,” he said.

The volunteers also built a flower box near the Lutz Memorial Park sign.

The teenager wanted plants that could tolerate the sun, the rain and the drought. In other words, he was looking for low-maintenance plants that could survive in sandy soil, he said.

Since he wasn’t sure what would be best, he turned to gardening experts for advice.

He settled on blue salvia, pink guara and firebush.

“Over the course of two weekends, we had more than 40 people,” he said, including several members of Troop 12 and friends from Freedom High School.

Several local businesses helped out, too.

“John’s Butcher Shop and Benedetto’s (Ristorante Italiano) provided the food,” he said. “People allowed us to use their facilities, like their water and their bathrooms,” he said.

“It would have been about $2,000 with everything, including food and whatnot, but Lowe’s and Home Depot gave us significant discounts,” he said. Ace Hardware, in Lutz, helped, too.

Valenti is gratified by the prospect of becoming an Eagle Scout.

These are just a few of the 48 badges that Michael Valenti has earned. He recently completed his Eagle Scout project, which involved sprucing up Lutz Memorial Park.

“It’s kind of the pinnacle of your scouting career,” said Valenti, who lives in Lutz and is the son of Ron and Rose Valenti.

“It’s taken years of hard work to get where I am,” said the teenager, who will be a junior at Freedom High School.

And, it’s an accomplishment with staying power, he noted. “Once you’re an Eagle, you’re an Eagle for life.”

Valenti was a third-grader when he joined scouts, and he hopes he will become a scout leader when he’s an adult.

“It just ingrains very important values,” he said, and prepares youths to become good citizens.

Besides being on the path to becoming an Eagle Scout, Valenti has earned 48 scouting badges and is a member of the Order of the Arrow, scouting’s national honor society.

While he does well in school and plans to attend a state college, he hasn’t pinned down which career path he’d like to pursue.

Published July 5, 2017

Super Saturday offers a swingin’ good time

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It might’ve been April Fool’s Day, but this softball event was no joke.

This dog belongs to Mackenzie Pavloff, of Lutz. The service dog, named Koda Bear, is a 5-year-old Pitbull-mix, who seems to like the sounds of the softball games at Oscar Cooler Youth Sports Complex. The pet’s owner said she played softball at the complex years ago.
(Fred Bellet)

It’s called Super Saturday, and it’s an annual fundraiser for Lutz Softball, a recreational fast-pitch league for girls ages 5 through 18.

On April 1, several hundred softball families gathered to cheer on more than 20 teams, soaking in the daylong festivities at the Oscar Cooler Youth Sports Complex.

Besides a full slate of softball matchups, there was plenty to keep attendees amused, from family friendly games and activities, to numerous vendors and countless raffles.

“This is probably the biggest Super Saturday we’ve ever held,” said Mike Cook, president of Lutz Softball Inc.

“Every year, it’s gotten bigger and bigger and bigger,” added event coordinator Jennifer Bommarito. “This is quite a bit bigger than it started out to be.”

Ten-year-old Sicily Jordan, of the visiting Wesley Chapel Pink Rockets, gets a hit against the Renegades during game action last Saturday at Oscar Cooler Youth Sports Complex.

Held each spring, Super Saturday is one of the league’s two major fundraisers. The other is Fall Festival, in October.

Amid softball rivalries and competition, Super Saturday gives young athletes a chance to unwind.

“This is actually like a fun day for them,” Bommarito said, “where they actually get to goof all a little bit…and not have to be so serious.”

Mike Bosworth, who has coached in the league since 2013, said the annual shindig also helps foster positive interactions among families.

“People are…competitive with one another, and when you do an event like this, it gets you to know other people, and it softens those relationships on the field,” he explained.

Other parents agreed.

After playing his Little League game, 5-year-old Wyatt Gingras, of Lutz, totes his favorite bat and backpack to watch Leaguerette softball and cool off with an icy beverage. Wyatt was with his grandfather, Scott Knoeppel, of Lutz, and spent the day enjoying the family fun event at Oscar Cooler Youth Sports Complex.

“I think it brings us closer,” said parent-coach Rainey Rosenberger.

“It’s just fun to get families together from the community,” parent Natalie Brown added.

Another parent, Maggie Mixon, believes the event has nearly become a Lutz tradition.

“It’s phenomenal — just to see the community come together, in the spirit of collaboration,” she said. “It’s just a good, old-fashioned, small-town gathering.”

Among the afternoon’s top highlights was the parents’ tournament — and it’s unlike any other.

A 16-inch blooper ball was used, bases were run in reverse, fathers batted with their non-dominant hand, and kids served as coaches.

“It’s fun and confusing — everything’s backwards,” Rosenberger said, smiling.
The sports complex’s ballyhooed concession stand was another draw.

From biscuits and gravy during early morning games, to mushroom Swiss burgers and buffalo chicken wraps, there’s never a shortage of tasty grub offerings.

Bosworth, whose wife, Alissa, is the concessions manager, said parents from other youth leagues — Brandon, Carrollwood, Wesley Chapel —can’t say enough about the ballpark’s spreads.

Bryan Bounds, of Gainesville, watches softball action with friend, Charlene Ierna, of Lutz. Ierna’s 15-year-old daughter, Emma Ierna, plays on the softball team called the Rebels. Ierna is also the team’s sponsor.

“The parents are always like, ‘You guys have got the best concession stand we’ve ever seen, anywhere,’” Bosworth said.

Super Saturday, meanwhile, couldn’t have come at a better time for the softball organization.

On March 8, two suspects burglarized the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex during early morning hours, causing losses in excess of $5,000.

“That (robbery) threw us for a loop tremendously,” Mike Cook said.

In wake of the incident, the league has received “overwhelming” community support, with donations from the likes of Home Depot, Walgreens, Lowe’s and Ford.

Over $1,920 has also been raised, via a GoFundMe page.

Lutz Softball, formerly known as the Lutz Leaguerettes, also has seen quite a transition since January 2016, when the organization announced it was offering a recreational fast-pitch league for the first time in its 37-year history.

Just six months later, its slow-pitch leagues were discontinued because of dwindling registration and an overwhelming preference for fast-pitch. The fast-pitch league now claims to have about 200 participants, the highest figure in several years.

Lutz Softball Inc., is a PONY (Protect Our Nation’s Youth) Softball affiliate.

Published April 5, 2017

 

Timing on traffic signals tweaked

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Motorists cruising through the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41 might have noticed some differences in the timing of the traffic signals.

The intervals between green lights and red lights have changed there and also in front of Lowe’s home improvement store off State Road 54.

Not everyone is happy with the change, especially motorists who say they sit through more than one light interval to make a left turn heading south on U.S. 41 to go east on State Road 54.

On the plus side, though, motorists crossing the railroad tracks at the apex where North Dale Mabry Highway and U.S. 41 intersect may be experiencing a clearer path for merging, as they approach State Road 54.

Those observations are correct, according to Florida Department of Transportation officials who explained the changes, via email.

The road officials tweaked traffic signals in an effort to enhance traffic flows and improve safety for motorists navigating through or near State Road 54 and U.S. 41.

About 100,000 vehicles a day go through the intersection.

(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo) Motorists turn left from southbound U.S. 41 onto eastbound State Road 54. State highway officials tweaked the timing of traffic signals to improve traffic flow, but some motorists say they don’t like having to wait through more than light interval to turn left.
Motorists turn left from southbound U.S. 41 onto eastbound State Road 54. State highway officials tweaked the timing of traffic signals to improve traffic flow, but some motorists say they don’t like having to wait through more than light interval to turn left. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

State traffic engineers noted a higher than average number of fender-benders, side swipes and rear-end crashes in recent years as motorists leave North Dale Mabry Highway to merge onto northbound U.S. 41.

Since 2010, a total of 98 accidents occurred in the area where the two roads converge. The most accidents were recorded in 2013, when there were 37 crashes. That was 14 crashes more than the previous year. The number dropped in 2015, but state road officials still recorded 20 wrecks.

With a traffic signal adjustment, vehicles from North Dale Mabry Highway now are less likely to merge at the juncture at the same time as motorists who stop at the light on U.S. 41, outside the Walmart, but otherwise have a long stretch of roadway with no stops.

State engineers also focused on improving traffic flows through State Road 54 and U.S. 41.

They studied signal timings for peak traffic in the morning and afternoon, and at midday. Changes were based in part on higher traffic volumes for westbound traffic versus left turns from U.S. 41.

Complete cycle periods at the intersection generally range from 140 seconds to 190 seconds, depending on peak and off-peak hours. Signals also have sensors that can tweak timing a few seconds based on current traffic conditions.

While some motorists now might wait longer to make a left turn onto State Road 54, they likely will have smooth sailing past the signal at Lowe’s. And, with tweaks, motorists exiting Lowe’s heading west are more likely to get the green light at U.S. 41 where previously they would have been forced to stop.

Looking at midday data, state transportation officials found eastbound traffic could slow because vehicles arrived at Lowe’s just prior to the signal turning green. Now, both eastbound and southbound left turns flow more quickly through the light at Lowe’s.

Published April 27, 2016

 

Retail jobs on the rise

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But more jobs are needed to diversify Pasco’s economy

Heading south on Interstate 275 into Tampa, and points beyond, cars stack up and slow to a crawl as commuters in the morning rush hour out of Pasco County’s bedroom communities hit the brakes.

Motorists going north, mostly zip along at a steady clip.

In the afternoon the traffic flow reverses.

It’s all about where the jobs are and where they aren’t.

The volume of people who commute daily to jobs outside Pasco is about 46 percent, according to county data.

But flipping that trend is the goal of the county’s Planning and Development Department, and its marketing partner, the Pasco County Economic Development Council.

Holiday Inn Express is one hotel ready for construction with an opening in 2016. The hotel is next to Florida Hospital Center Ice, an ice rink and sports complex that is under construction, off State Road 56. Both will be job producers. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
Holiday Inn Express is one hotel ready for construction with an opening in 2016. The hotel is next to Florida Hospital Center Ice, an ice rink and sports complex that is under construction, off State Road 56. Both will be job producers.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

There are good signs in the job market especially in retail, but county officials say Pasco needs higher paying jobs and a diverse employer-base to shed its bedroom community status.

And that could take years of steady, patient marketing.

For now, dirt is flying especially along the prime corridors of State Road 56 and State Road 54, around the Interstate 75 interchange.

“The retail is following the rooftops,” said Melanie Kendrick, senior planner for economic development in Pasco.

Tampa Premium Outlets, the centerpiece for Cypress Creek Town Center, is sprouting. It is expected to have more than 110 stores and will provide an estimated 800 jobs.

The Shops at Wiregrass is expanding. And, other retail development, including Mercedes Benz, Buffalo Wild Wings and Dairy Queen, is popping up.

Abutting the outlet mall, the town center also will have more retail including Kohl’s, Costco, Culver’s, Cheddar’s Casual Café, and BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse. Job numbers for this project aren’t available.

More hotels, shops, restaurants and offices are on a waiting list, marked ‘coming soon’ for a site on the north side of State Road 56, also part of Cypress Creek Town Center.

On Oct. 29, Tampa Premium Outlets will be the first to hit the start button.

“This is like a bonus,” said John Hagen, president of the PEDC. “It will definitely raise the amount of money coming into the community. It makes the economic pie bigger.”

People are put to work, the Penny for Pasco program gets fattened with more pennies and Pasco’s image shines brighter in the marketplace.

“It is a destination… It will help people understand that there is a Pasco County,” Hagen said. “This is a place. It has place-making attributes that are important to us. It’s hard for people to think about (Pasco) in terms of a place.”

Retail already has shown it can spark other development.

Pasco-Hernando State College located its Porter Campus at the mall. It currently has a staff of about 60 employees and 100 adjunct faculty members.

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, near Wiregrass, added 600 jobs to the economy when it opened nearly three years ago. The hospital is investing $78 million in an expansion at the hospital. And Florida Medical Clinic, just north of Wiregrass, also is expanding in Wesley Chapel and Land O’ Lakes.

On State Road 54, a new Lowe’s warehouse store opened in April, bringing with it as many as 160 jobs.

Businessman Gordie Zimmerman is building Florida Hospital Center Ice, a sports complex with four ice rinks and a removable pad that can allow for more sports such as volleyball, soccer, basketball and lacrosse. The 150,000 square foot facility, off State Road 56, can also accommodate non-sports events such as dog shows and graduations.

It is expected to attract national and international sports competitions.

All of these generate more sales tax revenues from people shopping and dining in Pasco.

And, a portion of those Pasco pennies will be dedicated this year to the Jobs and Economic Trust Fund to provide business incentives to locate in Pasco.

County officials have estimated that $45 million to $50 million will flow from the Penny for Pasco program to stimulate economic development.

Hagen recently delivered the PEDC’s third quarter report to the Pasco County Commission. The data showed that to date, 415 jobs had been created through the agency’s efforts in 2015.

On July 24, the PEDC upped that number by 124 jobs with its announcement that Leggett & Platt, a global manufacturing company, plans to open an 80,000-square- foot facility near Spring Hill. The plant will assemble adjustable bed bases. Company officials have pledged to hire locally and contract with suppliers within the Tampa Bay region.

Hagen sees Leggett & Platt taking a position as one of the county’s top employers with room for expansion in future.

On another front, the SMARTstart business incubator program has created 45 jobs. Currently, 13 startup companies are sharing space on-site in Dade City. Another three entrepreneurs are located off-site. “They are all trying to get their businesses off the ground,” Hagen said.

While some of these new businesses may only generate a small number of jobs, there always is potential that one or more could take off with an idea that is “scalable” into a regional or national company, Hagen said.

The county set clear goals in the long-range Economic Development Plan, adopted in 2013.

One target is to add between 160,000 and 185,000 new jobs to the economy over the next decade, said Richard Gehring, the county’s planning and development administrator.

That has to be reached by fostering a business-friendly environment where private companies want to invest in Pasco, Hagen said.

“I kind of like to differentiate between creating a business climate and making business deals,” he said. “I think we’re creating a business climate where things can happen.”

One example of private investment that paid off is Compark 75. The business park, off Wesley Chapel Boulevard, will expand in 2016 with the addition of a 65,000 square foot building. The existing park, with four buildings, is leased nearly to capacity.

Two new tenants, Streetside Classic Cars and an as yet-unidentified orthodontics company will open there in October.

Hagen would like to see 10 more projects similar to Compark 75.

Over the years, Pasco has evolved from a rural community into a service-based economy that catered to senior retirees and then into the bedroom community for counties such as Hillsborough and Pinellas.

The current building boom is picking up where developers left off before the Great Recession. Predictably, the new development began with housing because that offers reasonably quick turnaround on investment, Hagen said.

But many of these projects have also set aside space for retail, offices and in some cases industrial, Hagen said.

“It’s kind of setting the stage for other development,” he said.

But, it is crucial to Pasco’s economic growth to encourage more business parks. That was one issue identified in a study completed recently by Duke Energy of the large acreage in and around the Zephyrhills airport.

“I don’t mean to sound alarmist,” Hagen said. “I think we’re trying to put some thought into that. We probably need to be more active in acquiring and controlling parcels that would make good industrial parks before they get gobbled into retail.”

Still Hagen isn’t what he describes as a “retail snob.”

Jobs of every kind are needed, he said. “If it puts them to work, then it’s a good thing.”

Tampa Premium Outlets hosts center-wide job fair
What: The grand opening of Tampa Premium Outlets is scheduled for October.

Retailers are seeking job applicants for more than 800 open seasonal, part-time, full-time and management positions. The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce is the job fair sponsor.

When: Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Embassy Suites Tampa USF/Busch Gardens,  3705 Spectrum Blvd., Tampa

Cost: Free and open to the community. Dress professionally and bring lots of resumes.

Information: Call (813) 909-8716, or visit PremiumOutlets.com/tampa.

Published August 5, 2015

Lowe’s celebrates Land O’ Lakes opening

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Lowe’s, of Land O’ Lakes, is ready to throw open the doors to its new home improvement store on State Road 54. Work crews busied themselves last week with last-minute details to spruce up the landscaping and sweep clean what has been an active construction site.

The Lowe’s home improvement store at 21500 State Road 54 has scheduled a host of activities to celebrate its opening, beginning with a Pro Services Day set for April 16, which will also serve as the store’s ‘soft opening.’ (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
The Lowe’s home improvement store at 21500 State Road 54 has scheduled a host of activities to celebrate its opening, beginning with a Pro Services Day set for April 16, which will also serve as the store’s ‘soft opening.’
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

A week of celebrations will kick off with a Pro Services Day on April 16, to highlight the services and products that Lowe’s can provide business owners and their field representatives.

The community also is welcome to this “soft opening,” with store hours from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Food, demonstrations and a mystery gift card giveaway will be featured during the day.

“It’s a great opportunity for business owners to learn about the options Lowe’s has,” said Meredith Kleker, president of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a gracious way to extend the opportunities to help the business community feel part of the growth of this area.”

The 152,000-square-foot store is located at 21500 State Road 54, across from the Village Lakes Shopping Center. It is Pasco County’s third Lowe’s location.

Motorists will find new traffic signals at the entrance to Lowe’s that are meant to ease traffic in and out of the home improvement store, and the shopping center, as well.

Ongoing festivities will include a preview night on April 22, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with giveaways, a scavenger hunt, guided tours and refreshments from Benedetto’s.

A grand opening on April 23 will feature dignitaries from county government, the honorary mayor of Land O’ Lakes and representatives of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

The more traditional ribbon cutting will be given over to a “board cutting.”

“We’re really, really excited about the partnership (with Lowe’s),” said Kleker. “They’ve made a concerted effort to partner with businesses in our community.”

A Lowe’s Fest on April 25 will be an “all-out celebration,” according to a Lowe’s press release announcing the special opening events.

Marco’s Pizza, Pepe’s Cuban Café, Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que, and a dessert truck will provide food. Activities include interactive demonstrations, giveaways, a photo booth, a magician, a children’s craft station, a community hand print banner and a petting zoo.

There also will be a special safety demonstration.

Store hours will be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with festivities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The regular store hours for this Lowe’s location will be Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Lowe’s opening events

Pro Services Day
Where: Lowe’s, 21500 State Road 54
When: April 16, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
What: Pro Services Day is dedicated to business owners and their field representatives, but anyone is welcome.

Breakfast will be provided by Panera Bread at 7 a.m. Lunch will be from Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Manufacturing representatives will do product demonstrations, there will be giveaways and Lowe’s in-house specialists can help set up business accounts. Giveaways include mystery gift cards ranging from $5 to $500.

From here on, the store will be “soft opened.”

Regular store hours for this Lowe’s location will be Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Preview Night
When: April 22, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
What: A scavenger hunt, project starter giveaways, guided tours and refreshments by Benedetto’s.

Formal grand opening ceremony
When: April 23, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Who: Dignitaries from Pasco County, the honorary Mayor of Land O’ Lakes and members of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the store’s opening.

Lowe’s Fest
When: April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What: An all-out celebration featuring food from Marco’s pizza, Pepe’s Cuban Cafe, Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que and a dessert truck. Activities will include interactive manufacturing demonstrations, giveaways, a photo booth, a magician, balloon art, face painting, a Build & Grow workshop, mystery gift card giveaways, a kids’ craft station, community hand print banner, a petting zoo and a demonstration by a fire safety inspector.

Published April 15, 2015