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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Zephyr Park

Zephyrhills leaders offer ideas to enhance parks

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Zephyr Park not only has five tennis courts but also a playground, walking trail, picnic shelters and fishing within the 34-care site of 5th Avenue. File photo

Members of the Zephyrhills City Council shared thoughts on how to enhance enjoyment of parks toward the end of their Aug. 26 meeting. 

Below are excerpts of remarks they made that have been edited for space or clarity. 

 

Jodi Wilkeson

Jodi Wilkeson: Connecting parks to people

I was fortunate enough to attend the Florida League of Cities conference recently and they talked a little bit about the creative class.

They made some analogies between what has happened – that 80% of the people in the U.S. were farmers just 100 years ago. Then there’s changes with the Industrial Age, where most people worked in factories for a period of time. Now, much of our community makeup is based on the creative class and those are people who work from home. 

Some of these people who work from home, they actually work in libraries, restaurants, etc. 

It’s a way to save our Main Street from the trend of dying retail centers. 

They talk about the development of parks. One idea I had was that as we get all these parks developed that we have free internet service at those locations, so that they become sharable, Instagrammable locations and we’re connecting with the next generation of young people in our community.

 

Lance Smith

Lance Smith: Making parks safer

My wife and I have been using the tennis courts at Zephyr Park for about two months now. We’ve been going down there in the evenings and it’s great. 

There’s a lot of people there; however, there are some people that come by there that are either homeless or have mental illness. 

I have asked staff to look at ways that we can help make the park a little bit safer. 

There’s a lot of things that we can do with lighting, possibly with some panic call stations that are on the college campuses, but we’ve got to get a handle on this and make it a safe environment for everybody. 

I know the staff’s working towards it. Matter of fact, [Chief Derek Brewer] said he’s going to have more patrols down there. 

It’s something that as our city grows, it’s part of the growing pains. So we’ve got to just combat it and try and make sure that the people feel safe in these parks.

Councilwoman Wilkeson said something about a coffee shop or something like that. We need to look at opportunities around our park to have these coffee shops, sandwich shops. The commercial element is really nice around these parks. We need to be open and

looking for those opportunities.

 

Zephyrhills celebrates its heritage with 113th Founders Day Festival

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Long before water made Zephyrhills a nationally known brand, wind was the force that put the city on the map. And over a century later, the same gentle winds that gave the city its name helped draw crowds to Zephyrhills’ downtown for an activity-packed 113th Founders Day Festival.

The Civil Air Patrol’s Zephyr Airport Cadet Squadron and Zephyrhills Police Department lead the city’s 113th Founders Day parade along Fifth Avenue on March 9. (Susan Green)

More than 50 vendors’ tents and food trucks stretched for several blocks along Fifth Avenue on March 9, and attendees celebrated the city’s 1910 birth with a 40-unit parade and an old-fashioned pie-eating contest, among many other activities.

Zephyrhills native Judy Holt, 73, said the parade is a Founders Day mainstay, and watching it brought tears to her eyes.

“I try to be here every year,” she said. “Watching the parade brings back a lot of good memories.”

Cecilia Poupore, a Zephyrhills winter resident since 2001, staked out her seat along the parade route early. She said she tries not to miss the annual event, and she was especially pleased with the 2024 version.

“I like the parade, I like the vendors and I love the weather,” she said.

Zephyrhills’ city and emergency services are represented with several units in the 113th Founders Day parade, including the city’s 1920s-era American LaFrance fire truck.

Organized by Main Street Zephyrhills, the festival kicked off at the city’s historic train depot with a 5K run, sponsored by East Pasco YMCA. It included children’s activities at the Zephyrhills Public Library, a downtown art show sponsored by the Zephyrhills Art Club, an open house and food concession at the historic Woman’s Club building, and other fundraisers staged by local civic groups.

“The main focus is to bring more foot traffic to downtown,” said Antwon Gildon, Main Street director and festival coordinator.

“As the largest city in Pasco County by population, it’s hard to say we’re undiscovered or unknown,” he said, adding that the city wants to make sure its commercial core benefits from the explosive housing growth in and around Zephyrhills in recent years.

“Our goal is to get people to see businesses they might not be familiar with.”

The Zephyrhills High School marching band drumline keeps the beat for the city’s 113th Founders Day parade on March 9 in downtown Zephyrhills.

Reveling in Zephyrhills’ RV history
The theme for this year’s festival was “Return of the Tin Can Tourist,” a nod to the city’s heyday as a top stop for retirees seeking a place to park their campers in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Dozens of vintage campers and travel trailers were on display at Zephyr Park on the outskirts of downtown. The exhibit — known as a “rally” among vintage camper and travel trailer collectors — was the first of its kind in Florida to be sponsored by Vintage Camper Trailers magazine of Sacramento, California.

Caroline Lacitinola, who owns the publication with her husband Paul, said their company has organized rallies on the West Coast for years. When Main Street Zephyrhills invited them to come to Florida, it was good timing because the couples’ kids had left for college and the older Lacitinolas had the time and resources to make the cross-country trip.

More than 50 vendors set up shop along Fifth Avenue and neighboring streets in downtown Zephyrhills for the city’s 113th Founders Day Festival.

“It’s super fun when you get a group of people together who love vintage trailers,” she added. “They have the same passion.”

The oldest camper on display at Zephyr Park was a 1957 Corvette model that was restored by Kevin and Janet Stone of Sarasota. Kevin said the couple acquired the relic when his daughter and son-in-law were buying a house, and their lender wouldn’t close on the sale until the dilapidated trailer was hauled off the property.

He and his wife spent two years during the COVID-19 pandemic restoring their prize. The exterior still sports its original jalousie and awning windows and metal siding, although the siding has been repainted. He said the couple had to gut the interior but chose the new wood wall and door paneling because of its authentic appearance.

A few campsites away from the Corvette camper was a 1961 Shasta travel trailer owned by Tim and Margie Suddard of Ormond Beach. Tim said the couple acquired it 10 years ago and spent four years restoring it.

Contestants try to wolf down an entire cherry pie without using their hands during the 113th Founders Day Festival pie-eating contest sponsored by Village Inn. From left to right: Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe; John Williamson, representing Lee Reed Insurance in downtown Zephyrhills; and Wesley Chapel residents Evon Constantine and Claribel Florez, both representing festival exhibitor Walmart Health.

He said they tried to stay true to the trailer’s original design but made some changes to accommodate their modern lifestyle. For example, he replaced the original interior gas lamp and a hand-primed water pressure pump with electricity-powered versions.

Back at the downtown festival, some store owners offered camper-themed goods, and many festival activities also followed the theme.

At the city library, Amelia Carden, 2, was among children who used icing and candy to decorate camper-shaped cookies. Her mother, Alexandra Carden, said she discovered the kids’ event listed on Facebook. While visiting the library, she and her husband Will noticed the downtown festival activities and planned to check them out. The family lives in Zephyrhills but had not attended the festival before.

Christine Mitchell, who owns the Vintage Chix furniture and collectibles boutique with her husband Pete, said she ordered some camper-themed knickknacks and yard flags to sell during the festival. Her family has traveled in campers and participated in rallies and she was happy that Main Street Zephyrhills adopted the “Tin Can Tourist” theme for Founders Day.

She said sales were brisk and she was pleased with the turnout for the event.

“This brings people in,” Mitchell said.

Gildon said the Zephyrhills Founders Day Festival doesn’t commemorate a particular founder. But he and others at the festival acknowledged that Capt. Howard Jeffries, a Union Army veteran of the Civil War era, is widely credited with revitalizing the town in 1910 by establishing a retirement community for veterans known as Zephyrhills Colony Company.

According to the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, the community was originally settled in 1882 under the name of Abbott.

The historic Jeffries house in downtown Zephyrhills was restored a few years ago and now houses Tina & Joe’s Café, which partnered with the Zephyrhills Rotary Club to offer a pancake breakfast to festival visitors.

Published March 20, 2024

Winners of the Dade City Miss Kumquat Pageant wave at the crowd during the 113th Founders Day parade on March 9 in downtown Zephyrhills.
Janet and Kevin Stone of Sarasota welcome visitors to check out their 1957 Corvette camper during a vintage camper rally March 9 at Zephyr Park, part of the Zephyrhills 113th Founders Day Festival.
Amelia Freiermuth, 7, of Zephyrhills, decorates a camper-shaped cookie during a kids’ activity at the Zephyrhills Public Library as her mother, Joellynn, looks on. The activity was part of the city’s 113th Founders Day Festival on March 9.

Finally, Hercules Park breaks ground in Zephyrhills

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In about a year or so, City of Zephyrhills residents and visitors will be able to jump right into a brand new park.

On Nov. 28, after more than five years of planning and budgeting, Pasco County’s largest municipality saw city officials break ground on Hercules Park — a 12-acre, $5.4-million park project coming to the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard, adjacent to Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools.

City of Zephyrhills officials and Kimley Horn representatives dig in for the ceremonial groundbreaking of Hercules Park — a 12-acre, $5.4-million project scheduled to begin construction in January 2024. The new park, which will be adjacent to Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools at County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard, marks the city’s first newly built park in more than 40 years. It will have a splash pad, trails, restrooms and other amenities. The tentative completion date is late 2024 or early 2025. (Mike Camunas)

Designed to be a hub for community engagement, recreation and natural beauty, Hercules Park will feature a splash pad, playground and restrooms, sheltered picnic area, open playfield, 54 spaces of parking, a .75 perimeter walking trail and 5.3 acres of area with trails for hiking and biking. Construction is slated to begin January 2024, with a tentative completion date set for late 2024 or early 2025.

However, getting to the groundbreaking was a years-long process, with many hurdles city officials had to jump right over again and again.

“The (city) council had the desire, from the very beginning, to get it done, and the staff kept pushing to get the funding, so once we got the funding, it was set,” City Manager Billy Poe said.

Penny for Pasco revenues are being used to pay for the Hercules Park construction.

Talks of creating a new park and refurbishing the land began in 2017, shortly before Zephyrhills took control of the land in June 2018. Before that, Pasco County operated Hercules Aquatic Center, but that closed in 2009 because of budget constraints.

Once the city had the land, it began putting together a budget for the project, as well as designs, which went through many phases over the years. In late 2022, city officials, along with park designers Kimley-Horn, sat down and came up with designs that would honor the history of the land upon which the park will be built.

City of Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe speaks to a crowd during the groundbreaking ceremony for Hercules Park, the new 12-acre project coming to the city at County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard.

These design choices were made to honor the Hercules Powder Company, which previously owned 80 acres of land and established Camp No. 39 on this land in 1946. The site featured between 60 and 70 company-built, prefabricated homes rented to employees for $4 per room per month. Once the largest employer in Zephyrhills, with 150 people on its payroll at any time, the company also featured a commissary and baseball team.

Additionally, over that time, the city took into consideration feedback from the community and its residents, many of which were looking for a public pool. The splash pad was the workaround solution and added to the designs, especially since the splash pad at nearby Zephyr Park is already a popular attraction.

“We’re trying to have water aspects in everything we do in the city, we’re still the city of pure water, even if it’s not our motto anymore,” Poe said with a laugh, referring to the city’s newly-adopted slogan, ‘Jump Right In.’

“But,” he continued, “we want people to jump right into our parks, as a place for families to spend time together, a place people want to visit, and we felt it was important to incorporate the history into the design.

“For a while, during the process, I was little scared, in just making sure, as a city, we were doing it justice, from the history to giving the residents something to be proud of and that they wanted. I think it turned out really well.”

Lori Hillman, clerk of the City of Zephyrhills, signs a board marking the occasion of the groundbreaking ceremony for Hercules Park on Nov. 28.

Hercules Park is just the first part of a much larger parks’ project in Zephyrhills.

Poe said the city plans to evaluate all of its parks and recreational sites “to determine where and if there are deficiencies and how we can improve our parks.”

The parks and recreation department in Zephyrhills includes the YMCA, the municipal golf course and Zephyr Park.

Zephyr Park was the focus of community uproar in April, after an old rendering of renovations to Zephyr Park was prematurely shared on social media. That sent the town into a tizzy — because it came as a surprise to its 18,000-plus residents.

It also raised concerns among residents about losing the sense of history   associated with the 34-acre park on Fifth Avenue that features Alice Hall Community Center, five lighted tennis courts, handball, fishing, picnic pavilions with picnic tables, barbecue grills, horseshoe pits, playground equipment, and a 5/8 of a mile lakeside fitness path and trees dating back to the Civil War era.

The city held a town hall, reassuring residents no definitive upgrade plans have been set or even discussed for Zephyr Park. Many residents raised concerns about the removal of the Veterans Memorial at the park, though Poe and other city officials also reassured town residents that it would not be removed or relocated.

Now, with another hurdle cleared, and a groundbreaking complete, Poe and fellow city officials are ready to jump right into construction and present Hercules park to its more than 18,000 residents.

“If it takes us to spring (2025 to finish the park), it’s not going to hurt my feelings,” Poe said. “Because then, maybe, when we have the ribbon-cutting, the kids can actually go in the water at the splash pad.

“I think we’re all very excited to see it completed about a year from now.”

Published December 06, 2023

The master plan for Hercules Park, a 12-acre park project that is being built by the City of Zephyrhills shows where various amenities will be situated in the park, located at County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard. The $5.4 million project is tentatively scheduled for completion in late 2024 or early 2025. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

This artist rendering depicts what the restroom at the new Hercules Park will look like.

Community input sought on Zephyr Park update

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Zephyrhills’ largest, and most beloved, park is moving toward an upgrade.

But first, the city needed to reassure the public that plans had not yet been decided. City officials had to set the record straight because rumors were flying after an old rendering of renovations to Zephyr Park was shared on social media — sending the town into a tizzy.

Zephyr Park is a 34-acre park that features the Alice Hall Community Center, five lighted tennis courts, handball, fishing, picnic pavilions with picnic tables, barbecue grills, horseshoe pits, playground equipment and a 5/8-mile fitness path. Zephyr Park includes many Civil War Era large oak trees that provide plenty of shade and a peaceful setting for recreation and relaxation. A $5 million renovation is tentatively planned by the city of Zephyrhills. (Mike Camunas)

Residents packed the City Council Room at Town Hall on April 27 to share their concerns and their desires for the park — with worries expressed about the potential for diminishing and dismissing the history associated with the 34-acre park on Fifth Avenue.

Zephyr Park is a popular gathering place for locals, featuring the Alice Hall Community Center, five lighted tennis courts, handball, fishing, picnic pavilions with picnic tables, barbecue grills, horseshoe pits, playground equipment, and a 5/8-mile lakeside fitness path. Some of its trees date back to the Civil War era.

And here is a community consensus improvements are needed at the park. But speakers raised concerns about the possibility of the Veterans Memorial being removed from the park.

Gail Hamilton, director of Community Redevelopment Agency, and other city officials, including City Manager Billy Poe, squashed that and other rumors circulating because of the social media post.

Residents turned out in force to an April 27 meeting at Zephyrhills City Hall to share their thoughts on a planned renovation of Zephyr Park, the city’s largest public park. (Mike Camunas)

Hamilton and Poe assured the crowd the Veterans Memorial will not be removed, but said it likely will be upgraded when the park renovations occur.

Poe said there had been some talk about moving the memorial to nearby Veterans Memorial Park, but he added that was only talk — no plan had been made to move it.

Another rumor involved the potential loss of the park’s five tennis courts at Zephyr Park. Poe refuted that, too.

“I’m just going to say it right out, nothing is happening to the memorial or the tennis courts,” Poe said. “They’re not going anywhere.”

Speakers also expressed their desires for the park’s upgrade. They’d like to see updates to Alice Hall, the restrooms and the splash pad.

Other suggestions include new amenities such as an adaptive playground, a disc golf course and a snack bar or recreational club room at Alice Hall.

They’d also like to see more amenities geared for older youth and teens, better park maintenance and an increased police presence at the park.

This 2016 rendering represents one vision of a Zephyr Park renovation, but the City of Zephyrhills is seeking public input to update the master plan to better reflect current desires, keeping in mind today’s economy. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

Hamilton said planning for the park’s upgrade is at the beginning stage — starting with finding out the community’s current desires.

“We hear you,” she assured the crowd. “We also see you with this turnout today at this input meeting, and we appreciate the passion of this community for this park.”

The artist rendering shared on social media was done several years and never reached fruition because of higher priorities, economic conditions and COVID-related issues.

City officials do have a budget in mind — as they requested $5 million in grants from the state — but were mainly focused on their new park project: Hercules Park, the other nearly $5 million project that will be adjacent to Woodland Elementary and behind the WaWa gas station on Gall Boulevard.

City and park planning officials want to be on the same page as to what should be done at Zephyr Park, as well as making sure none of it overlaps at Hercules Park.

Officials want to make sure having the same or similar amenities at both or either parks makes sense. However, they say further study and public input is needed, all of which will come over time and “several, several more meetings,” Hamilton added.

“This is not a shovel-ready project,” Hamilton said. “It’s not even really a ‘ready’ project because we are looking for more input. That’s where we are right now — looking for input from you (the residents).”

Published May 17, 2023

Fourth of July weekend offers activities for all ages

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The Lutz’s Fourth of July Parade drew an enthusiastic crowd.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue’s Engine 24 gets an escort from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s motorcycle patrol, at the beginning of the 2022 Lutz Fourth of July Parade. (Fred Bellet)

“It was wonderful, of course,” said Jennifer Rankin, parade chairwoman.

“After two years of not being there —  I’m sure we messed up somewhere. I’m sure we forgot something, somewhere — but at the end of the day, everybody had smiles on their faces and I heard wonderful reviews from people,” she said.

Emma and Evelyn Fiedler, of Land O’ Lakes, keep a sharp eye on the approaching parade as Alex Campion, 12, of Odessa captures some video from the front row at the Lutz Fourth of July Parade.

“Some people had to cancel at the last minute, due to either heat or sicknesses.

But people stayed upbeat and volunteers kept things running smoothly.

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club had invaluable helpers, she said.

“There were tons of them there, making sure to direct things. If there were problems, (they were right there) getting on top of it,” she said.

Overall, she continued: “We had a great turnout.

The Lutz Chiefs Cheer team float rounds a turn on the parade route.

“People stuck around to hear the results of the parade and who won what trophies.

“People stuck around to see who won the Guv’na.

“And, people went inside and auctioned on the cake,” she said.

Five-year-old Sade Stice lets out a long yawn, while waving her flag as the parade approached up Lake Lutz Fern Road. The little girl from Lutz was with her mom, Jessica Stice and her 8-year-old brother, Reed, watching the parade. They sat at the corner of Lutz Lake Fern Road and Second Street N.W.

While Zephyrhills dealt with rain, Lutz endured heat.

“It was hot. It was very hot,” Rankin said.

She had a great time.

“I’m ready for next year, already,” Rankin said.

In Zephyrhills, the weather wasn’t exactly cooperative on July 2, during the early part of Summerfest in Zephyrhills.

Some folks didn’t let the drizzling rain — or periodic downpours — deter them from attending the free family friendly event. They came out to Zephyr Park to check out what the food trucks had to offer, to listen to music, and during the evening to watch fireworks over the lake.

While the weather put a damper on the early part of the event, when the weather cleared the crowd picked up, according to Kevin Tucker, event manager and marketing manager for Florida Penguin Productions.

By the time the fireworks went off, he estimated that about 3,000 people had turned out to watch the show.

“Our events are rain or shine. We pushed through and the community loved it,” Tucker said, via email, characterizing the festival as “a great event.”

Published July 13, 2022

The entrance to the Zephyrhills Summerfest at Zephyr Park was a puddle-jumper’s delight during the early part of the July 2 event.
Twelve-year-old Lulu Bell, a Blue Heeler Australian Cattle Dog, wore a patriotic necklace as he tries to go one way and owner Jason Aiken, of Zephyrhills, goes the other way. The patriotic pooch and owner checked out the vendors at the Zephyrhills Summerfest, on July 2, at Zephyr Park.
Customers duck under the cover of an umbrella to escape the rain. Tonya Neely, left, and daughter, Faith, purchase fare sold by Shawn Anderson, at The Wok.

Zephyrhills Council nixes downtown theater renovation

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The idea of breathing life back into the historic Zephyrhills Home Theatre is taking a backseat — at least for now.

The Zephyrhills City Council on Oct. 25 voted to deny an appraisal of the dilapidated downtown building, located at 38521 Fifth Avenue.

The $3,600 appraisal — if it had been approved during the regular council meeting — would’ve been performed by NewStream Companies in Tampa, and would have provided some clarity regarding a potential last-minute state appropriations request for the project.

There have been conversations for several years about reviving the 500-seat twin theatre —perhaps transforming it into a playhouse or a venue to hold various community events.

The former Zephyrhills Home Theatre sits at 38521 Fifth Ave. The Zephyrhills City Council denied an appraisal of the historic building, which would’ve been the first step in the remodeling and renovation of the space. (Kevin Weiss)

The theater was built in 1948 by lumber magnate and former Zephyrhills Mayor I.A. Krusen.

Back then, it was billed as one of the most modern movie theaters in the South, with comfortable seats, a wide stage, and a glass-enclosed “crying room” for babies.

The movie house closed in 2007, but remained available for rent. It reopened in 2010, but was shuttered again.

In a memo, city staffers recommended approval of the appraisal and submitted a state appropriations request for the purchase and renovation of the Zephyrhills Home Theatre, asserting it “will bring additional activity downtown, thus spurring additional growth and development.”

The remodeling concept was renewed after state Sen. Danny Burgess — a Zephyrhills native — recently reached out to staffers and encouraged the submittal of a state appropriations request, Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe said.

Staff continued preliminary discussions with Burgess and the property owner regarding the possibility of the city acquiring and renovating the buildings, Poe explained.

But council members raised a number of issues about the potential renovation, putting a halt to the initiative for now.

Council members noted that the city already is seeking funding for a trio of multimillion projects. Those are: A sewer main and water main extension for $3.48 million; Zephyrhills Municipal Airport improvements for $5.33 million; and Zephyr Park improvements for $5 million.

Council members voiced concern about submitting a fourth appropriations request to the state to revive the theater, theorizing it might jeopardize one or more of the other projects.

Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson characterized those other projects as “the things we’re desperate for.”

Another concern is spreading staffers too thin, if all four big-ticket items gained approval.

Councilman Lance Smith noted that the city has a lot going on.

Other potential problems include insufficient time to gather necessary details and the lack of a concrete plan of action.

The deadline for submitting appropriation project requests to the Florida House for the 2022 regular legislation session is Nov. 17.

The city would be unable to get all of the information needed by that date to turn in an accurate request, Poe said.

Another issue involves the feasibility of doing a renovation.

The building’s age and condition also could lead to further unanticipated costs, upon a complete survey and feasibility study.

The city has encountered this kind of a dilemma in the past, with renovations of the Sixth Avenue Fire Station and Historic Jeffries House, to name a few.

Smith noted: “That (theater) building, whatever you can possibly imagine it would cost to renovate it, it’s going to be double or triple, guaranteed.”

Wilkeson agreed: “There’s lots of things that could be wrong with the building.”

The two-story theater building also features two small commercial units on the first floor — a salon and barbershop — and two residential units on the second floor.

Also, if the city purchased the building — that would remove a commercial building off the tax rolls.

Councilman Charles Proctor raised this question: “Are we in the business, as a city, to be purchasing all these properties, and taking them off the tax roll?”

Despite myriad concerns, Poe pointed out that this may have been the window of opportunity to capitalize on the theatre renovation project — given strong representation from Burgess, state Rep. Randy Maggard, R-Dade City, and Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, respectively.

Zephyrhills did well with state appropriations last year.

It received $6.5 million for water and wastewater improvements on Handcart Road; $4.6 million for improvements to the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center; and, $3 million for improvements to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

The city also was selected as the site for a $25 million state-of-the-art Florida National Guard Armory.

“As we know, kind of all the stars are aligned at the state,” Poe said. “Last year and this year is our best opportunities that we have. We have friendly senators or representatives, as well, in the right seats.”

Council President Alan Knight said he appreciated Burgess for suggesting the idea of renovating the theater. But Knight noted: “I just think that it’s not a real good time right now.”

Wilkeson concurred: “I just don’t think we can put together something professional enough that it would support Senator Burgess’s goals and objectives.”

Published November 10, 2021

CRA agency outlines initiatives

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The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is hitting the ground running regarding initiatives in the city’s historic downtown district, in the new fiscal year.

The Zephyrhills City Council, which doubles as the CRA board, has approved the agency’s 2021-2022 budget for $879,814.

That’s a sizable increase from the previous budget, which was $578,244.

The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has set forth several initiatives for the city’s historic downtown in its 2021-2022 fiscal year budget. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills CRA)

That boost is partially due to an increase in the agency’s ad valorem revenues during recent years.

In the fiscal 2021-2022 budget, the agency’s tax increment financing (TIF) revenues are proposed to be $562,848 — up from $428,630 in 2020-2021 and $315,410 in 2019-2020, respectively.

“What we’re doing is working,” CRA Director Gail Hamilton told the CRA board during a Sept. 27 meeting at Zephyrhills City Hall. “The values continue to increase, the market doesn’t hurt us any at all, so what we’re doing as far as residential is going well, it’s working. We’ve got some new commercial projects going in the coming year.”

However, Hamilton acknowledged retail spacing “continues to struggle” in the historic district, so the agency is planning some incentive programs to lure new merchants.

The bulk of this year’s CRA budget is set aside for three major capital outlay projects — combining to total $672,500:

  • Little But Loud outdoor venue: $250,000
  • First United Methodist Church of Zephyrhills parking lot improvements: $320,000
  • Entrance signage installation: $102,500

The Little But Loud project, planned at 38426 Sixth Ave., is envisioned as an entertainment backyard space of sorts featuring food trucks, vendor carts, games, live music, public art installations, and various seating and lounge areas.

It is planned for a 150-foot by 60-foot city-owned vacant lot at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Eighth Street, and is the CRA’s scaled-down version of Sparkman Wharf, a popular waterfront venue in downtown Tampa’s Channelside.

“I know there are some that say we can’t do it for $250,000, but we’re going to see what we can do,” Hamilton said, referring to Little But Loud.

Hamilton also underscored the importance to lease and repair the church parking lot located right in the center of downtown, at 38635 Fifth Ave.

She said the East Pasco town has few public parking options in downtown, aside from Zephyrhills City Hall, which is often at capacity.

“One of the problems that we encountered last year was that there is no public parking in downtown,” she said.

Besides formalizing a long-term lease, CRA funds will be used to address paving, stormwater and lighting issues on the church’s lot, which is over 20 years old.

“When a developer comes to us and wants to build something, we have strict standards on what the parking lot has to be. We have to follow those standards, as well,” Hamilton told CRA board members.

“It’ll be an asset to have a paved parking lot downtown,” she added.

Installing entrance signage to provide a gateway to the historic district is another noteworthy capital project.

The first sign is expected to be constructed and installed between Fifth Avenue and U.S. 301.

Moving forward, Hamilton said the agency is aiming to launch “a real campaign” about what the city has to offer “and try to get people motivated to look at downtown and the CRA district.”

The CRA director later encouraged city leadership to make suggestions about what else they’d like to see within the historic downtown district — which spans approximately 501 acres and encompasses the center spine of the city, generally between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street.

She noted some smaller undertakings in the past year included installing landscaping, benches and pots along Fifth Avenue; installing public Wi-Fi downtown; and installing streaming wireless audio speakers downtown.

“If there is a project, if there is something you see in another community, let us know, let’s talk about it,” said Hamilton. “The CRA has to be nimble enough that we can change and meet the demands of the market, because improving the market, improving the ad valorem taxes is why we’re here.”

Meantime, Main Street Zephyrhills Director Faith Wilson shared several event updates during the CRA meeting:

  • Preparations are underway for Halloween Howl, scheduled for Oct. 30 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., along Fifth Avenue. Family friendly activities will include a pony ride, petting zoo, haunted house, hayride and face painting. There also will be a ghost tour “to offer our citizens something new and exciting,” Wilson said.
  • The 2021 Festival of Lights Christmas Parade is scheduled for Dec. 4 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., in downtown Zephyrhills. This year’s event theme is “Candyland Christmas.”
  • The annual Zephyrhills Founder’s Day Parade and Heritage Festival may need to be rescheduled or pared to an evening event with no parade.

It’s anticipated March 5 date coincides with The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce’s annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest.

The city’s Founder’s Day event is supposed to be on the Saturday closest to March 10, without going beyond it. City officials are actively discussing various options and possibilities, noting parade attendance has fallen off over the years.

  • Main Street Zephyrhills Board of Directors approved a new “community and unity” initiative, which aims to help create a positive narrative around events and partnerships within the city. “We all want to do good for Zephyrhills,” Wilson said, “and by working together, we can do great things for our community, so organizations can join together with Main Street to co-host and coordinate events downtown, and instead of competition, it’s cohesive and we work together.”

One upcoming “community and unity” event is the First Florida Chapter of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association Fall Rally Honoring Our Nations Veterans, from Nov. 12 to Nov. 14.

  • Wilson also noted that she participated in the Florida Main Street’s fall quarterly conference meeting in Crystal River. “There were some great community branding and marketing strategies presented,” she said.

City of Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency fund

Budget: $879,814

  • Personnel services: $112,549
  • Operating expenditures: $69,765
  • Capital outlay: $672,500
  • Contributions: $25,000

Published October 27, 2021

Improvements keep coming to Zephyrhills redevelopment area

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The concept design plan for Hercules Park renovations is being updated to include public requests for restrooms, artwork, educational signage, a retention pond, and Wi-Fi, among several other features such as playfields and pathways.

Initial design plans for a BMX bike track were not well-received during a workshop, so that piece is being removed from the scope, according to Gail Hamilton, director of the Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

The 12-acre park property is at the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard, next to Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools.

Upgrades continue to occur in the redevelopment district that is under the jurisdiction of the Zephyrhills Redevelopment Agency. (File)

Hamilton provided an update on the CRA’s activities in a number of areas during the agency’s last meeting. The Zephyrhills City Council serves as the board of the CRA.

The CRA is a dependent special district in which any future increases in property values are set aside in a Trust Fund to support economic development and redevelopment projects within the designated district.

The Zephyrhills CRA redevelopment district is approximately 501 acres. It encompasses the center spine of the city, generally between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street. Within those boundaries are the following historic neighborhood districts: Hercules, Historic Jeffries, Historic Abbott, Moore’s Estate, Zephyr Lake, Oakside, and Plaza.

Other notable updates on activities within the district were shared during last month’s meeting. They include:

  • A CRA commercial matching façade and signage grant totaling up to $6,000 has been approved for Tara Hornbeck, doing business as Mulligan’s Tavern, at 5420 Gall Blvd.

Upgrades for the new Irish pub are slated to feature an aluminum frame cloth awning by the front door entrance, as well as replacement of rotted windows and doorframe.

The building was formerly the home of Salsa’s Mexican Grill, which has been closed for more than a year, Hamilton said.

Several other improvements outside the grant’s scope also will be completed — including parking lot repaving and landscaping — at the restaurateur’s expense. “We will have a nice looking building when it’s all said and done,” Hamilton told CRA Commissioners.

  • A $5,000 CRA residential ownership incentive grant has been approved for Elis Jose Burgos-Berrios, at 4929 16th St.

The grant’s purpose is to encourage home purchases within distressed neighborhoods as a catalyst to improve the owner-occupancy rate and neighborhood, one street at a time.

The grant requires Burgos-Berrios to file a homestead exemption on the property for five years.

Burgos-Berrios is a city employee, tasked with maintaining the city’s Oakside Cemetery, at 5301 First St.

  • Public Wi-Fi now is installed for Fifth Avenue, but the CRA is working with a consultant and the city’s IT department on developing a website landing page that Main Street will eventually oversee.
  • Zephyrhills Public Works has installed a slew of black benches throughout downtown, matching the color scheme of trash cans, signs and poles.

• The CRA has partnered with Main Street and public works to install blue Adirondack chairs (made of recycled plastic water bottles) attached with concrete slabs at Transplant Park, a pie-shaped area at 12th Street and Fifth Street. A neighborhood happenings sign promoting downtown parades and events also will be installed at the pocket park.

Published July 28, 2021

An entertainment venue in downtown Zephyrhills?

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Downtown Zephyrhills could get a little louder and livelier in the next year or so — if a proposed project pushes through.

The City of Zephyrhills is considering the creation of its own entertainment backyard featuring food trucks, vendor carts, games, live music, public art installations and various seating areas. Picture it as a scaled-down version of the popular Sparkman Wharf waterfront venue in downtown Tampa’s Channelside.

The Zephyrhills concept, called “Little But Loud,” would be developed on a 150-foot by 60-foot city-owned vacant lot at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Eighth Street. The site was once home to a Disabled American Veterans chapter building, and is situated just a block north of Fifth Avenue and adjacent to Zephyrhills City Hall.

‘Little But Loud’ entertainment venue concept renderings were presented by Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency Director Gail Hamilton at a January meeting. This one shows semi-rigid covered seating, covered seating area, food cart court, game lawn/overflow seating, outdoor seating and food truck access. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

Gail Hamilton, director of the Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), presented two concept renderings at a CRA meeting in January.

The first concept shows semi-rigid covered seating, covered seating area, food cart court, game lawn/overflow seating, outdoor seating and food truck access.

The second concept shows an event stage/elevated seating area, mobile high-top seating, food and vendor stalls, a semi-rigid overhead structure and raised concrete deck, food truck access and a versatile event lawn.

As for parking, eventgoers could use the nearby City Hall parking lot on nights and weekends.

Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., would likely be tasked with managing Little But Loud, and with arranging the venue’s programming.

The scope of work and budget are not yet final.

No start date has been determined, either, but it’s possible the project could be completed by the end of the year, if the initiative gains the CRA Board of Commissioners’ approval.

Hamilton said the new venue would generate downtown foot traffic and “create a sense of community,” by giving locals and visitors a multi-use entertainment space on weekends.

It also gives the city an opportunity to use “a beautiful lot” that is currently vacant.

“People would want to come, especially in the spring and in the winter when we have beautiful days, to sit out, listen to some music, have something to eat, come downtown. The idea is to create an attraction to get people to come downtown,” said Hamilton.

Two ‘Little But Loud’ concept renderings were presented by Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency Director Gail Hamilton at a meeting. This one shows an event stage/elevated seating area, mobile high-top seating, food and vendor stalls, a semi-rigid overhead structure and raised concrete deck, food truck access and a versatile event lawn.

She thinks the project also would encourage residents and visitors to explore other areas of the city, including the historic downtown business district through Fifth Avenue.

Hamilton observed: “This is not to exclude any of the businesses on Fifth Avenue. It’s not to cut them out, it’s to get some activity going here, so that everybody who comes here goes to the restaurants and stores that surround it. You get up, you walk around — it’s a way for people to explore downtown Zephyrhills that maybe have never been here.

“It would bring people in that would go and shop, and try a craft beer that didn’t even know there was a microbrewery down here (at Zephyrhills Brewing Company).”

The intimate property — purchased by the city in 2017 — was originally anticipated to be developed into some type of retail/office space — which remains a future option.

However, Hamilton noted that option is not feasible yet, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The lot also could be reserved for some type of apartment or residential concept, but Hamilton doesn’t believe that’s a best use.

“If we wanted to do apartments, we could probably do apartments, but in the long run, that’s not what’s best for downtown, that’s not what’s best for the core of the city,” Hamilton told the CRA board.

If and when the time comes to redevelop the small lot, Hamilton said the Little But Loud concept could simply be relocated to another area of the city, perhaps Zephyr Park on Fifth Avenue.

“It’s a way for us to engage that lot without spending a tremendous amount of money, and when the market gets to the point where we want to build a building on that space, all of it can be picked up and moved somewhere else,” Hamilton explained.

Members of the CRA board expressed interest in the venue concept, with several more tweaks and details to be hammered out and finalized in coming months.

Board member Ken Burgess called Little But Loud “a good idea to get something going,” but advised the project be done in sections or phases, instead of all at once.

Board member Lance Smith said the concept would create an “inviting” atmosphere to downtown, pushing for other accents such as artificial turf and a large-sized television or projector to broadcast movies and sporting events.

Alcohol sales should be another consideration, he said.

“I think it’s interesting,” Smith said of the plan. “I think you need to look at the budget for it, too, because I’ve looked at these (venues) and they’re way more expensive than you think they are, but I think it’s a great concept to take a look at.”

Board President Jodi Wilkeson, too, was keen with the project, but expressed concerns about potential vandalism and possible impacts on surrounding take-out and sit-down restaurants and businesses.

“If we’re doing this to help promote businesses downtown, I think we should make an effort to ensure that they’re not producing food that’s in competition with any other businesses,” Wilkeson said.

She suggested that Little But Loud food trucks and containers stick to offering snack items, such as flavored popcorn and other treats “so that it gives people something to eat, but when they’re really hungry (for a meal), they’re going to go somewhere else.”

Overall, though, she likes the concept. “I think it’s a great idea. I look forward to seeing it a little fleshed out, but I’m in support of it as well.”

Board member Charles Proctor also offered his support: “I think it’s a good idea as well. We’ve gotta do something with (the lot).”

Published February 24, 2021

Zephyrhills CRA has full plate to start new year

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The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is ushering in the new year with a slew of projects and initiatives in the historic downtown district.

“There’s a lot going on that you’ll see in January that staff has been working on,” Zephyrhills CRA director Gail Hamilton said, during an update of the 2021 plans at a meeting with the CRA board of directors last month.

The Zephyrhills CRA is soliciting tenants for the Historic Jeffries and Carriage houses on Fifth Avenue. (Courtesy of Main Street Zephyrhills Inc.)

The CRA district encompasses the center spine of the city, generally between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street. Within those boundaries are the following historic neighborhood districts: Hercules, Historic Jeffries, Historic Abbott, Moore’s Estate, Zephyr Lake, Oakside and Plaza.

Hamilton told board members that the agency has met with a consultant on forthcoming improvements to Hercules Park, a 9-acre city-owned parkland site at the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard, next to Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools.

Discussions have centered around transforming the languished site into a passive park for residents — highlighted with trails and a picnic area, as well as regular maintenance.

Possible improvements include underbrush clearing and designing a more welcoming park entrance, along with installing a park fountain, benches, tree underlighting, and colorful sailcloth.

Another idea involves cultivating an art element into the park that pays homage to the history of the property.

A greater degree of detail will be developed once the consultant’s ideas are presented to the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Jan. 21, and then on to the CRA board and Zephyrhills City Council.

Hercules Park improvements are on tap in 2021, with an idea of making it a more welcoming, well-maintained passive park property. (File)

Funding for the park is available in this year’s city budget cycle.

Another CRA priority in the new year is outlining and ramping up a strategy for the Zephyrhills Code Enforcement Task.

Hamilton mentioned Pasco County has started to enforce code cases again “and so we want to at least talk about neighborhoods cleanups.”

Code issues are popping up in the downtown area, and in other areas, she said.

“We want to get back on track with our cleanups and the task force, and so we will start meeting in January,” Hamilton said.

She also reported progress on the renovation of the Carriage House property, which is nearly complete. The two-story wooden structure is connected to the Historic Jeffries House, at 38537 Fifth Ave.

The property has undergone a $155,000 makeover by Zephyrhills-based Kerns Family Construction Company Inc. Now, it is just awaiting some electrical hookups, Hamilton said.

In addition to uplifting surrounding property values and maintaining a historic structure, the city hopes to lease the space out to a business or residential tenant for around $1,500 to $2,000 per month.

The renovated structure has received serious interest from possible tenants — as has its counterpart in the Jeffries House, Hamilton said. Three coffee companies have inquired about setting up some kind of business operation at the Jeffries House, Hamilton said. She also noted a couple of other projects are interested in using both the Carriage House and Jeffries House.

The Jeffries House was built in 1910 for Capt. Harold Jeffries, the founder of Zephyrhills who was responsible for bringing many Union Civil War veterans into the area. The house is a part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Another major undertaking for the agency is facilitating a development opportunity on a city-owned lot at the corner of Sixth Avenue/Eighth Street — situated across the street from Zephyrhills City Hall.

The vacant lot originally was expected to become two-story retail space, but city staff now is working on a plan to transform the corner into a residential property, Hamilton said.

She explained the rationale for the shift: “Right now, trying to get financing for retail is impossible. If it were housing, it would be a whole lot easier, so we’ve come up with an idea that I think you’ll like. We’ve tested (the idea) with some other groups.”

Cost estimates and more specifics are expected to be presented the next CRA Board meeting on Jan. 25.

Other notable updates from the CRA director’s report:

  • Initial design and cost estimates for gateway signage at Gall Boulevard/Fifth Avenue is expected to be ready in January, then presented to the CRA Board for further review.
  • A request for proposal (RFP) is being prepared for a mural design at the Lake Necessity retention pond. The site has already experienced some beautification with an ornamental fence. The plan is to hire an artist to paint the concrete sides of the fence, perhaps incorporating a natural scene with water images.
  • Zephyrhills Main Street has begun redesigning Transplant Park, a 0.2-acre passive park at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 12th Street. The location is just a few blocks east of the historic downtown district. The pie-shaped park, nestled between shaded trees, features landscaping and park benches.
  • Zephyrhills Public Works is completing the installation of irrigated potted plants along Fifth Avenue, specifically around street corners and medians landscapes.
  • Residential ownership incentive grants were approved to new homeowners for the properties at 5416 Eighth St. and 38245 12th Ave. (The grant provides $5,000 to new homeowners within the district, given they apply before purchasing/closing and file for homestead exemption for five years.)
  • A new business, Vintage Chix, recently opened in the downtown district, at 38501 Fifth Ave. The storefront sells vintage, repurposed furniture, including farmhouse, country French, shabby chic and rustic décor. The space also offers instructional craft and painting classes in a café atmosphere.

Published January 20, 2021