More Stores and Restaurants Confirmed For The Shops At Wiregrass

Today the local papers confirmed the following additional stores and restaurants for the Shops at Wiregrass, scheduled to open on October 30, 2008.:

Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Yamato Japanese Steak House, Cantina Laredo, Brass Tap Pub and Brewery, American Greetings, Aveda, Brown Shoe Closet, Cacique, Christopher & Banks, Hollister, Hot Topic, Juice Zone, Learning Express, Limited Too, Put A Cork In It and Stride Rite. Previous List

Weeds come down at one Meadow Pointe retail center and walls go up on another

Weeds were cut down today at the Shoppes at Meadow Pointe (BBD at Aronwood) while walls were going up at the Meadow Pointe Center on County Line Road.

Average Tampa Home Prices

The Greater Tampa Association of Realtors® has released the following average Tampa home prices by area for homes sold in June, 2008:

Brandon: $226,699

Carrollwood: $324,556

New Tampa: $371,500

Lutz/North West: $334,409

Pasco: $204,418

S. Tampa: $405,696

Another Home Builder With Local Presence Files for Bankruptcy

James Thorner of the St. Pete Times reports that Seven Oaks builder, Smith Family Homes has filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. It was previously reported in May '08 that Smith Family Homes had $1.2 million in delinquent property taxes. This makes the third builder with presence in the New Tampa / Wesley Chapel area who has filed for bankruptcy, following Tousa/Engle Homes, and Kimball Hill with their filings for Chapter 11.

Bennigans Closes

The Bennigans restaurant chain closes--Files Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Full Story

The Cypress --- New Tampa’s Newest Retail Center Breaks Ground

You may have noticed heavy earth moving equipment on the south side of County Line Road and the west side of Bruce B. Downs just south of County Line Road recently. Ground has been broken on The Cypress —a retail center which reportedly will have a 42,000 sq. ft. +/- LA Fitness (813) 435-6040, a 38,000 +/- sq. ft. , Sweetbay, Five Guys Famous Burgers, Hudson's Cleaners, a Chinese Restaurant and Ego Nails. Retail space is still available in this new center which is expected to open in March of 2009.

3D Tour of Cobb Theatres in Wesley Chapel

Cobb Theatres now has a 3D Tour of the new Wesley Chapel movie theater expected to open this summer/fall.

Another Increase In Fees For Cory Lake Isles?

On the heels of a July 16th meeting where homeowners in the affluent New Tampa community of Cory Lake Isles learned that they could be facing an increase in yearly fees of some $600.00 , another increase may be looming. According to local papers an “emergency” meeting was held today to discuss an additional increase in fees to cover possible legal costs to defend a lawsuit. Full Story

New Tampa's Flyover Ramp Opens

New Tampa's flyover ramp opened today with one lane. An additional lane is expected to open later this year.

Pasco County Commissioner Mulieri To Address PACA In August

Pasco County Commissioner, Pat Mulieri is scheduled to address the Pasco Alliance of Community Associations (PACA) on Thursday, August 14, 2008, at 7:00 pm.

PACA members, board members of any Pasco County CDD, HOA and CA as well as interested residents of those communities are welcome to attend.

PACA holds monthly meetings at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, (5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes FL 34639)

For further information, please visit the PACA website at: www.MyPACA.org

Shops at Wiregrass July 2008 SLIDE SHOW

Slide show of pictures taken today of the Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, scheduled to open this fall.

Starbucks Closings

The long list of stores that Starbucks is closing, spares New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, but the University Mall Starbucks makes the list: Full List of Announced Starbucks Closings

Country Walk Home Market Update

Country Walk in Wesley Chapel has over 18 single family homes listed for sale per our MLS. List prices go up to $432,000 for a 5 bedroom, three bath home with three car garage, and the average list price per square foot is $111.61. MLS reports five single family homes are under contract and 3 sold in Country Walk in the last month.

*Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

FLASH Program

FLASH ----> Florida Attorneys Saving Homes is a new program available to homeowners who are behind in mortgage payments or who think they soon will become behind in payments. It's a "pro bono" service created by the Florida Bar and Florida Legal Services. For additional information call: (866) 607-2187.

Chopper on County Line Road in Meadow Pointe

Traffic was blocked on County Line Road in Meadow Pointe, Wesley Chapel this afternoon around 12:45 p.m. as a chopper landed. It appeared that there was a single vehicle wreck and it was a medivac helicopter.

Heritage Isles and Bond Debt

Laura Kinsler of the Tampa Tribune writes the following about Heritage Isles in New Tampa:
"HERITAGE ISLES - Knowing the community has no money to make its next bond payment, community development district Supervisor William Martello says he'd rather sue Lennar Corp. than let the district go into default." Full Story

Bruce B. Downs - I75 Flyover Ramp To Open Next Week

New Tampa commuters who take Bruce B. Downs to I-75 Southbound will be happy to hear that the new Flyover Ramp is scheduled to open on July 18th! NOTE: Opening date delayed due to heavy rains this past week.

Wolfs Den Restaurant in Wesley Chapel Opens Today!

Located in the Seven Oaks Plaza on S.R. 56, this new “family restaurant” opened today! The restaurant opens at 6:00 a.m. daily and will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Along with pizzas, sandwiches, and soup, specials on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays feature spaghetti, baked/fried chicken, and fish fry for only $7.99. The ever so friendly owner, Roger Wolf is a Seven Oaks resident and comes from a family with years of restaurant experience. The restaurant also has WIFI. Wolf’s Den Phone Number: (813) 907-9124.

VETERANS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN WESLEY CHAPEL

Staff is busy preparing Wesley Chapel's newest elementary school, VETERANS ELEMENTARY for opening day. Kinder camp starts on July 28th and the school opens on August 18th, 2008. For additional information go to the school's website: http://ves.pasco.k12.fl.us/ or contact the school directly at (813) 346-1400.

Cobb Theatres in Wesley Chapel Gets Approval To Serve Alcohol

Cobb Theatres, under construction in Wesley Chapel at the Grove received approval today from the Pasco County Board of Commissioners to serve alcoholic beverages. The Wesley Chapel movie theater is reportedly scheduled to open in August of this year with a Cinebistro concept.

Have a Happy Fourth of July Weekend!