3Ts Pizza

Sign announcing 3T's Pizza at 3757 Bruce B. Downs in the Wesley Chapel shopping plaza that houses Dunkin Donuts and Edible Arrangements just north of Mystic Oak Blvd.

US Census Takers begin this week

Census takers will start visiting homes as soon as this afternoon.  Nationally, some 72% of us have completed and returned the census form mailed to us.  If you didn't complete and send in your 2010 census form you can expect a visit from your friendly census taker over the next several weeks. 

Mulieri to address PACA in May

Pasco County Commissioner Pat Mulieri will speak on county issues at the May 13, 2010 meeting of the Pasco Alliance of Community Associations. The meeting is open to the public and PACA members and begins at 7:00 PM at the Land O Lakes Community Center (5401 Land O Lakes Blvd.).

Kabab House coming to New Tampa

The sign's up at New Tampa's Live Oak Center (20323 Bruce B. Downs) for the Kabab House, an authentic Indian and Pakistani food store with fresh produce and groceries. (Located between Triple A Travel & Insurance and Nails 4 You) No opening date is available at this time. Phone: (813) 972-5900

Dickeys Barbecue in Wesley Chapel

Dickey's Barbecue Pit in Wesley Chapel recently opened. Located at 2653 Bruce B. Downs (north of The Shops at Wiregrass and on the west side of BBD). Phone: (813) 406-4473.

Best Buy in New Tampa opens

Best Buy in New Tampa, located at 18071 Highwoods Preserve Parkway in The Walk at Highwoods Preserve opens today! Phone: (813) 558-7039

Pops In The Park tomorrow evening in New Tampa

Pack a picnic basket to enjoy a free Pops in the Park Concert under the stars with The Florida Orchestra on Friday, April 23 at Compton Park, (16101 Compton Drive) in New Tampa at 7:30 PM.

New traffic light on SR 56 at Wiregrass Mall

Installation has begun on a new traffic light on SR 56 at the eastern entrance to the Shops at Wiregrass.  Additional traffic lights will be installed on SR 56 at Mansfield and at Meadow Pointe Blvd.

First time homebuyers in final days of tax credit

First time homebuyers have less than two weeks to qualify for the tax credit of up to $8,000. The homebuyers have until April 30th to be under contract on a home and close on it before June 30th.  The rush is on for some to meet the deadline.

City Plaza in Tampa Palms

The facade renovation of City Plaza at Tampa Palms in New Tampa is moving along.  The 158,287 sq. ft. New Tampa plaza facelift including a new rebuilt and larger Publix should be complete this fall.

Homebuyers thinking small

New homebuyers are going small:

Taste of New Tampa

The 17th annual Taste of New Tampa will be held this Sunday, April 18th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.at Freedom High School - 17410 Commerce Park Blvd., Tampa, FL 33647.  Restaurants participating at this year's Taste of New Tampa include Ciccio's-The Lodge, Red Lobster, Land and Sea Market, Tampa Palms Country Club, Mulligan's Irish Pub, and Bruster's Ice Cream.  Wristbands can be purchased for $15.00.

Wesley Chapel Medical Center

Groundbreaking for the joint venture (Adventist Health System / University Community Health) 80 bed Wesley Chapel Medical Center, located just north of The Shops at Wiregrass on Bruce B. Downs is reported to occur within the next few months.  Last month, the two organizations announced they had signed a non-binding letter of intent to explore a possible merger of the two healthcare systems.

AJA Wiregrass update

AJA Wiregrass's website shows that it plans to open later this month, but I am hearing that it will more likely be in late May.   Website:  http://www.ajawiregrass.com/

New Tampa MPO meeting & survey about Bruce B. Downs

The Metropolitan Planning Organization will hold another meeting in New Tampa, seeking input about the widening of BBD (6 lanes with light rail vs. 8 lanes without) from Bearss to Palm Springs Boulevard.  (Note:  This is NOT the portion that is currently under construction.)  The meeting will be held on April 19, 2010 at  6:30 p.m. at Chiles Elementary School (16541 W Tampa Palms Boulevard in New Tampa).  See video below and take this BBD survey:  http://bit.ly/drxp2h

Market update for Seven Oaks in Wesley Chapel

Our MLS reported four single family homes sold in Seven Oaks in the last month.  Sold prices ranged from $150,000 to $292,068.  The sold price per square foot ranged from $65.85 for a "short sale" resale which went under contract back in November, 2009 and just recently closed, to a high for a new home at a sales price of $94.89/Sq. Ft.   Seven Oaks single family 3 or more bedroom homes currently for sale range in asking prices from a low of $171,000 for a three bedroom "short sale" to a high of $699,000 for a four bedroom, 4 bathroom pool home with over 4,000 square feet.

Fitniche coming to Wesley Chapel

Fitniche, a specialty fitness store,  plans to open the end of May or the beginning of June at The Shops at Wiregrass.  It will be located next to Moe's Southwest Grill in the mall.

The Bruce B. Downs Giant Slalom!

It's quite a challenge navigating the Bruce B. Downs giant slalom from Palm Springs Blvd. to Pebble Creek in New Tampa these days!

Pasco Hernando Community College Wesley Chapel Campus

The sign announcing the future campus of the Pasco - Hernando Community College in Wesley Chapel was unveiled today.  The 60 acre site of the campus is located next to Wiregrass Ranch High School and was donated by the Porter family.  The name of the college's planned fifth campus will be the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, and construction of the new campus isn't expected to start until 2012, with an opening in the fall of 2013.

Wesley Chapel Road Projects Meeting Update

As expected, the Wesley Chapel road project meeting today at 5:30 p.m. was filled with interested residents and it was standing room only. I estimate a couple hundred people were in attendance!  Most of the meeting dealt with the newest project; the widening of SR 54.

Here are the highlights from the meeting.  They were kind enough to provide us with a handout on SR 54 but not on the other road projects.

I-75 overpass bridge & CR 54:

Work on the I-75 bridge will provide for 9 lanes under the bridge; six through lanes and 3 turn lanes.  Work expected to be complete the end of 2010.  Also, the I-75 bridge work to accommodate future six lanes on the interstate even though there currently is no funding in place for widening I-75 to six lanes at SR 54.

SR 54 from I-75 to Curley Road: 

Work to consist of widening the current two lane undivided road to six lanes divided with turn lanes.  The first six months will consist of private utility relocation.  Then construction will begin and should take an additional 15 months.  Estimated construction cost = $28 million with an estimated project completion of January 2012.  The speed limit during construction will be reduced to 35 MPH.  (I wonder how often you can go over 35 MPH now on this portion of SR 54!)  Pasco County Engineering Services Director, James Widman pledged public update meeting every three months or so, media releases during construction, and additional periodic updates e-mailed to those requesting updates from the county.
Some additional work will be done on CR 54 from Old Pasco Road to I-75 and will be completed in 6-9 months.

I-75 to Saddlebrook:  The east bound lanes will be built on the south side of the existing roadway.  (Note, you will notice a difference in elevation on the new road as the "footprint" will be raised about 2 feet and as much as 5 feet in some sections.)

Saddlebrook east to Curley Road:  Westbound lanes will be built on the north side of the existing roadway.  Also, Boyette Road will be rerouted to remove the "S" curve.

Other road projects:

SR 54 widening from Curley Road to Morris Bridge Road: "Don't hold your breath for this one folks!" Plan is to go to six lanes from Curley to Meadow Pointe Blvd., and then to four from M. Pointe Blvd. to Morris Bridge Raod. Start acquiring right of way in 2013/2014? No funding for right of way! Construction maybe in 2018, but currently not funded.

SR 56 extension from Mansfield to Meadow Pointe Blvd.:  Lots of FRUSTRATION expressed over this repeatedly delayed extension.  Recently a new contractor was named.  Anticipate the opening of this portion of the extension in July; some say beginning; some say end of July, 2010.  Based on the numerous delays over the years on this extension, I think you can comfortably count on it being open this millenium!  (More on this to be addressed in the Bruce B. Downs widening below.)

Bruce B. Downs Widening: 

From SR 54 to SR 56: Six lane widening with an estimated completion--May 2010!  (I wonder if I heard that wrong!)

From SR 56 to County Line Road--There still remains an unresolved issue with TECO regarding the cost to move utilities at the planned mega intersection of SR 56 and Bruce B. Downs.  The situation between the county and TECO sounds ugly!  Attorneys, etc.  County Commissioner Mulieri expressed exasperation!  This unresolved issue has gone on for months and months.  The local media needs to jump on this and try to get to the bottom of this nonsense!

I-75/I-275 Northbound exit ramps to SR 56:  (Dedicated exits for each interstate)  Work is underway Expected completion--Summer 2011.

I-75 widening from Bruce B. Downs to SR 56 to six lanes :  Start:  Summer, 2011, Construction cost = $37 million.

I-75 widening to six lanes from SR 56 to SR 54:  Design, 45% complete.  No funding for right of way purchase or construction.

In the future, I wish that all speakers, (County & FDOT) would provide copies of their power point presentations.  A handout was provided for some of what was presented on SR 54, but not on the other road projects.  (Also, I thought it was very wise that they had law enforcement directing traffic into and out of the meeting site onto/from SR 54.  Someone was thinking ahead!)

I don't have any additional information from this meeting.  If you have additional questions or want other information not listed above, please contact Pasco County Engineering Services:  (727) 834-3604.  Regarding SR 54 widening, you can e-mail Project Manager, John Chiarelli at Jchiarelli@pascocountyfl.net.    Interstate road projects website:  http://www.mytbi.com/ .

Linksters Tap Room

Sign announcing Linksters Tap Room "coming soon".  Location:  17506 Preserve Walk Lane, in New Tampa (behind Boston Market).

SR 54 widening project and other Wesley Chapel road projects meeting today

Just a reminder:  The informational meeting about the SR 54 widening project and other road projects currently underway in Wesley Chapel is today at 5:30 p.m.  Additional details from previous post

Don't forget the Celebration of the Arts show at Wiregrass this weekend!

The Celebration of the Arts runs this Saturday and Sunday at The Shops at Wiregrass.  Hours for the Wesley Chapel art show are--Saturday, April 10th hours:  10:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday, April 11th 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Live entertainment will also be provided:  The Bucket List Band, Left, 10th Concession, Amanda Drake and the Barnburners and the Troy Duncan Band.  They expect 75,000 people to attend!

Bridgewater still troubled with high pre-foreclosures

Bridgewater has been perhaps one of the Wesley Chapel communities hardest hit with distressed properties for sale.  Of the 47 Bridgewater homes shown under contract in our local MLS, 40 are classified as "Short Sales" and awaiting the approval or rejection by the seller's lender, with several waiting for an answer since as far back as August and September of 2009.  Currently there are 27 Bridgewater homes listed for sale in our local MLS; 24 are Short Sales, and one is bank owned.  This is a community where the HOA has actively tried to turn things around by enforcing covenants and last year they even hired a public relations firm to help improve the image of the community.  See recent article in The Tampa Tribune:  Bridgewater Community Still In Financial Distress

2010 First Quarter Home Sales for New Tampa

A whopping 69% of the single family homes reported sold in New Tampa in the first quarter of 2010 sold for under $300,000. with 10% of the reported solds selling for less than $150,000.  Homes listed for sale in New Tampa start at $110,000.

*Information reported in MFR MLS deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Pagellis Italiano opening at The Shops at Wiregrass this week

Pagelli's Italiano at The Shops at Wiregrass plans to open on Thursday, April 8, 2010.  The new restaurant is located across from Cantina Laredo.  Phone #:  (813) 991-1414.

Pops in the park comes to New Tampa in April

Pack a picnic basket to enjoy a free Pops in the Park Concert under the stars with The Florida Orchestra on Friday, April 23 at Compton Park, (16101 Compton Drive) in New Tampa at 7:30 PM.

Guest Conductor Stuart Chafetz is on the podium for a program of fun and familiar classical and pops favorites by Rossini, Brahms, John Williams, John Philips Sousa, Copland, Meredith Willson and Johann Strauss, Jr. The concerts also feature a patriotic sing-along and the evening will end with Tchaikovsky’s beloved 1812 Overture. Attendees are invited to make canned food donations to Tampa Bay Harvest’s food bank services.

For further information, please contact the Florida Orchestra at 727.892.3337 or 1.800.662.7286 or:  http://bit.ly/dc9YLS