Wesley Chapel Quail Hollow Golf Course Plans to Convert to Residential Development

From time to time I receive calls or e-mails from readers of this blog. Typically they are interested in help finding a good resource in local government to assist with an issue or to get additional information. This week, I had a reader contact me with a request for more info. on the possibility that Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club on Old Pasco road may be converted to a residential development.

My first thought was that there was a confusion with Grantham Ranch (another project on Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel). So, I got in touch with a contact of mine at the St. Pete Times who is a staff writer for them. Yap covers Pasco County development for the St. Pete Times. He too thought I was talking about the Grantham Ranch project until I told him that I thought this was something different. (Since neither he nor I knew about this, we both thought that it must be something very new or incorrect.) He has a lot more time to get in touch with the appropriate officials to confirm such a rumor and shortly thereafter informed me that it was true. I also asked him to get in touch with the reader of this blog to update him with the details. An article in the St. Pete Times appeared the next day.

Apparently the owner/developer of Quail Hollow Golf and Country Club wants to build around 600 homes on the golf course and are in discussions with Pasco County planners. Of course, those homeowners who currently live on "golf course" property certainly can't be happy over the prospect of this proposal.

The Grove in Wesley Chapel

Since I happened to be in the area, I decided to drive by the future site of The Grove in Wesley Chapel and check on the status. I snapped a few pictures and while I was there I met a representative with Echo Development. Joe was very enthusiastic about the project and assures me that the first phase will be opening later this year.

The cars you see in the background in the photo are traveling on I-75.

New Tampa Bookstore.....????

Well today I was intrigued when reading a brief article in the St. Pete Times regarding a "Book giant negotiating a New Tampa Site"!

Apparently Barnes & Nobles has indicated that they are in negotiations to open a bookstore in the "New Tampa" area in 2008!

Previously there were rumors that a bookstore would possibly be opening at the BJ's location in Tampa Palms. No indications were provided of the possible location in New Tampa.

Keep your fingers crossed. 2008 is just around the corner and I know everyone is looking forward to having a local bookstore!!!

Tampa Mayor Iorio to Meet with New Tampa Residents

Pam Iorio will have a town hall meeting with New Tampa on March 28th at the Tampa Palms Elementary School from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Other city representatives will accompany the mayor and be available to answer questions on New Tampa projects and issues.

Cross Creek Boulevard Widening in New Tampa

The long overdue widening of Cross Creek Boulevard between Clay Gulley and Cory Lake Isles in New Tampa should be complete by the beginning of April. Additionally, those of us who travel this East-West Road in New Tampa will appreciate the two new traffic lights at Arbor Greene and the back entrance to Hunter's Green.

The widening of the remaining portion of Cross Creek from Cory Lake Isles to Morris Bridge Road isn't planned until at least 2009.

Flatwoods Park in New Tampa

For a virtual tour of Flatwoods Park, located in New Tampa, FL., click on the photo below:

Skate Park for Pasco County

A skate park will be included in the expansion of the Land O Lakes recreation complex on Collier Parkway. Additionally, ball fields, basketball courts, a dog park, and a jogging trails will be added. Work is expected to be completed on the majority of the expansion by the end of July 2007.

Salvation Army Store Approved for Wesley Chapel, FL

Despite opposition from many Lexington Oaks residents,the The Pasco County Development Review Committee approved plans for the new thrift store across the street from Lexington Oaks on C.R. 54.

County Line Road at Dale Mabry to close for road construction

Anyone who uses County Line Road to get to Dale Mabry (Lutz) will soon discover that they will be rerouted at US 41 to Lutz Lake Fern Road while County Line Road is widened at that junction. If you aren't familiar with Lutz Lake Fern Road, it lies south of County Line Road and is configured a bit like an indian trail, and winding. An alternate route will be to take S.R. 56/54 to Dale Mabry. The road closure will last approximately 3 months.

Bruce B. Downs and I-75 Southbound Flyover Ramp in New Tampa

Those of us who drive Bruce B. Downs in New Tampa on a daily basis have seen the clearing of trees in the area of Bruce B. Downs and I-75. This is in preparation for the southbound flyover ramp. Construction is expected to take two years. When completed southbound travelers will no longer have to stop at a light before merging onto I-75 South.

Bruce B. Downs will be closed at times between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. and access to New Tampa from I-75 will be via S.R. 56. or Fletcher Ave.

The following is a view of what it will look like traveling south on Bruce B. Downs when construction is complete:

Cobb Theatres at the Grove in Wesley Chapel

The planned sixteen screen movie theatre at the Grove in Wesley Chapel (C.R. 54 & I-75) plans to have six auditoriums upstairs where movie goers can order alcoholic beverages and food and have it served to them at their seats.

Also featuring a 240 seat restaurant with sandwiches and salads and a bar, the Cobb Theatres will have a kids free zone just for adults.

Don't check the papers for movies playing there yet though; the Grove isn't expected to open until late in 2007, and the Cobb Theatres the following Spring!

The Grove:

In addition to the movie theater, Bed Bath & Beyond, Dick's Sporting Goods, Toys R Us, Best Buy, Michael's, Ross, TJ Maxx, Petsmart, and Babies R Us are expected to open stores at The Grove.

New Tampa Skate Park at Tampa Palms

The construction of the 19,568 sq. ft. Community Center is now underway, now that groundbreaking for this facility was held this past week. The recreation center will have a kitchen/snack bar, multi-purpose room, gymnastics area, and lobby. Removable equipment will be in the gymnastics area where aerobics and dance can also be held.
The New Tampa half-acre skate park will feature modular ramps that can be moved, providiing for more flexibility. Local skateboarders and BMX riders will be pleased to have a nearby site.
The cost of the rec center is expected to be $3.7 million and the skate park's cost is estimated at $500,000. When I drove by the site yesterday on Commerce Park Blvd., in Tampa Palms, next to the Liberty Middle School and Freedom High School Campus, I noticed that the bulldozers have already started. Plans are for to have a joint opening of the Community Center and Skate Park in 2008.

Central Pasco County Business EXPO and Taste of the Town

The Central Pasco County Chamber of Commerce will be holding a business expo on March 9th and 10th at the Recreation Complex on Collier Parkway in Land O Lakes. Hours for the EXPO are: Friday: 4:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. & Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
In addition the Taste of the Town will be held on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. during the EXPO. $1.00/sample and cooking demos by the owner of Benedetto's Italiano Ristorante

Hampton Inn and Suites coming to Wesley Chapel, FL!

A 100 room Hampton Inn & Suites is coming to Wesley Chapel and will be located on State Road 56, northeast of I-75 and S.R. 56. Additionally, landowner representative A.C. Skinner reports an 8 acre office center will be built near the hotel too.

New Homes For Sale in Tampa Palms

New Tampa:
The development of the final remaining residential land in Tampa Palms is underway and models are expected to open in April. With a total of 198 lots, the builder paid $7.4 million for the land late last year. Five models will be offered and the new homes will feature arched windows, stonework and brick paved driveways. Prices on these homes will start at $330,000.

Update on the Extension of S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel, FL

Meadow Pointe residents will be happy to hear that the extension of S.R. 56 will be six lanes wide and then narrow to four lanes shortly after the Shops at Wiregrass Mall. Additionally, the widening of Bruce B. Downs will include six lanes north of S.R. 56 and 8 lanes South of S.R. 56 in Pasco County. The St. Pete Times describes the future intersection of S.R. 56 and Bruce B. Downs as "the largest intersection in the district, with triple left turn lanes." Construction on the extension of S.R. 56 is to start this month according to Pasco County administrator, John Gallagher.

Lime to open in Tampa Palms

A latin themed restaurant by the name of LIME will open in Tampa Palms. With a scheduled opening of May, 2007 the restaurant will offer Mexican, Brazilian, and Spanish foods. Located at the former location of Winners Grill in City Plaza, the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner.

March Grand Opening for Lifepoint Church in New Tampa

Lifepoint Church, located at 8702 Hunter's Lake Drive, in New Tampa will have its grand opening this month. Located in the former Winn Dixie store, renovations are nearly complete. As I toured the facility today, workers were putting the last touches on the church.

Founded in 2000, Lifepoint Church members have had a string of temporary homes until now. Services have begun at the new location. For a tour of this new facility, click on the photo of the church below:

Grand Hampton in New Tampa February 2007 Home Sales Info.

Tampa Home Sales Info for January 2007!

Property Insurance Discounts to Begin for Homeowners

Starting in June, homeowner policies for property insurance should see reductions in the annual rate as a result of efforts at the state level. Hillsborough County single family homeowners can expect an average reduction in their property insurance rates of 23%

Pasco County home owners should expect an average of 22 percent reduction in their rates for single family homes. More specifically, rates on single family homes should see an average reduction of 18.2% for Wesley Chapel. The Tampa Tribune reports that additional information can be found at www.floir.com/HotTopics.htm . Then click on House Bill 1A Presumed Rating Factors Report --March 1, 2007.

New Tampa Library Expansion

New Tampa residents are widely known for being proactive on issues. Interest in expanding the popular New Tampa Library, located on Cross Creek seems to have paid off. Previously, the expansion of the library was #10 on the list. It has now moved up to #3. While there has been talk about building another library in New Tampa, it is thought that adding on to the existing library is a more viable option, with a possibility of adding a second floor.

New Condos for New Tampa Hearing Rescheduled

Once again the hearing for the proposed condos between Tampa Palms and Lake Forest has been delayed. Widely unpopular with many Tampa Palms and Lake Forest residents, the hearing for this 1,500 condo complex has been moved from March 6th to May 1st, 2007.

Additionally, the same developer (The Giunta Group), has moved a rezoning hearing on the Trout Creek Preserve project to April 30th. The Trout Creek Preserve project, consists of residential, office, and retail in the area of Bruce B. Downs and County Line Road on 215 acres.