Average Tampa home prices for February, 2009

The Greater Tampa Association of Realtors has released the following information on the average Tampa home prices for homes sold in February, 2009:

SWIFTMUD imposes tighter water restrictions

Today the Southwest Florida Water Management District imposed tighter water restrictions for the counties of Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas. The restrictions take effect on April 3, 2009 and include shorter periods for lawn watering on authorized days, prohibition of residential and charity car washing and more. (The city of Tampa has passed even tighter restrictions.)
SWIFTMUD PHASE IV RESTRICTIONS

SR 56 Extension

A few photos showing the progress on the extension of State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel:

Sod is being laid:

Asphalt now reaches Mansfield:

View of SR 56 extension east of Mansfield:

I don't know of a planned opening date for the extension to Mansfield.

Ribbon Cutting Set For New Tampa's Skate Park

Mayor Pam Iorio will cut the ribbon for the opening of the new Skate Park in New Tampa on April 4th at 9:30 a.m. Heather Erickson of the Tampa Parks and Recreation department says that demonstrations are planned for the opening, and future plans include skateboard lessons from an instructor and other skate events. The skate park is located at the New Tampa Rec Center on Commerce Park Blvd. For additional information, contact the Tampa Parks and Recreation Department (813) 274-8615.

New Wesley Chapel Bar and Restaurant Openings

A restaurant and a sports bar have recently opened in Wesley Chapel on CR 54 at Pinebrook Plaza (West of I-75)--Skinny's Sports Bar, (813) 994-4646, and Santo's Pizza & Pasta, (813) 994-7778:








Additionally, another restaurant, Bagelicious plans to open in 6-8 weeks on SR 54 (West of Curley Rd.) in the Freedom Plaza:

TOUSA to cease sales of new homes

Homebuilder TOUSA who filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year has announced that it will wind down operations; "suspending efforts to generate new build to order sales". Full Story from Big Builder

Epperson Ranch hearing set for April

Another hearing for the Epperson Ranch project in Wesley Chapel has been set for 1:30 p.m. on April 7, 2009 at the Pasco County Courthouse. Proposed changes include extending the buildout date to the year 2017, delaying the Curley Road project by two years, and other changes related to the proposed project.

These dates often change, so before going to the hearing, I suggest calling the Pasco County Growth Management Department to confirm or for additional info. at (727) 847-8193.

Wesley Chapel Walmart

Site of the planned Wesley Chapel Walmart on SR 54 across from the Kia and Nissan Wesley Chapel car dealerships:

2009 Home Sales For Wesley Chapel

Our local MLS, Mid Florida Regional reports 132 single family home sales in Wesley Chapel this year with 67 % of the sales at or under $200,000. With some 600 single family homes for sale in Wesley Chapel, we remain in a Buyer's Market.

2009 YTD Single Family Home Sales in Wesley Chapel:

Teriyaki Experience to open in Wesley Chapel tomorrow

Teriyaki Experience at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel is planning to open tomorrow.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Hot air balloon in the skies over Wesley Chapel and New Tampa

Around 9:00 this morning while I was on my way to another seminar on Short Sales / Preforeclosures, etc. (aka "The Wild West of Real Estate"), I noticed this beautiful red hot air balloon over Wesley Chapel. The red color of the balloon was striking against the beautiful blue sky.



The last I saw the balloon, it was over The Cypress in New Tampa where the new Sweetbay and LA Fitness are under construction. By the way, I understand they are now targeting a June opening.

Average Tampa Home Sale Prices for January 2009

The Greater Tampa Association of Realtors has released the following information on the average sold prices by neighborhood for homes sold in January, 2009:

Taste of New Tampa 2009

Mark your calendars for next month's Taste of New Tampa! The 2009 Taste of New Tampa will be on April 19, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the New Tampa Community Park.

TBARTA to discuss status of regional transportation plan

It seems that transportation is this week’s unplanned “theme” on this blog. PACA* just issued a press release regarding their March meeting:

“Regional transportation officials will discuss the status of their seven-county master plan and how it affects Pasco travelers in a presentation before PACA (The Pasco Alliance of Community Associations).

The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority is developing a legally-mandated master plan of transportation improvements covering the counties of Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Citrus, Hernando, Manatee and Sarasota….TBARTA’s planning includes commuter rail and bus service as key components in accommodating Pasco residents in traveling throughout the region.”

The meeting is open to the public and press, as well as PACA members and begins at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 12th at the Land O Lakes Community Center (5401 Land O Lakes Blvd., in Land O Lakes).

*PACA is a not-for-profit organization whose members include representatives from 72 of Pasco County’s homeowner associations, community development districts and condominium associations. Additional info: www.myPACA.org .

Road Projects for Wesley Chapel & New Tampa

There are several road projects in Wesley Chapel and New Tampa that are underway or set to start soon:

Wesley Chapel*:

1. The extension of SR 56 to Mansfield should be complete within the next month or so. (See Slide show below.) Asphalt on this extension from The Shops at Wiregrass has almost reached Mansfield.

2. The continuation of SR 56 from Mansfield to Meadow Pointe Boulevard has a projected completion date of November/December of this year.

3. Improvements to the soon to be mega-intersection at SR 56 & BBD should begin within the next month or so too. The intersection will be leveled first and then the additional turn lanes will be added, with a projected completion date of the end of 2010.

4. The widening of BBD in Wesley Chapel is also scheduled to begin within the next month, starting on the north end and then going south to CLR (County Line Road).

5. The widening of SR 54 from BBD to Curley Road is currently in the "right of way" acquisition and construction may begin as soon as October of 2009.

6. Work has begun on the construction of a new bridge on I-75 over CR 54.

New Tampa:

1. The widening of BBD (Hillsborough County portion) is supposed to start this summer and the first segment will be from Palms Springs Dr. to Pebble Creek Dr. The second segment from Pebble Creek Dr. to CLR "should" start in the summer of 2011.

2. The controversial bridge over Interstate 75 linking New Tampa Boulevard to Commerce Park Boulevard is supposed to begin this fall too.

I have no update on whether Pasco County will permit opening Kinnan St. to Mansfield Boulevard after SR 56 is extended to Mansfield.
*Wesley Chapel information provided by the Pasco Engineering Services Dept.