Update on Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club

I stopped by the Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club on Old Pasco Rd. in Wesley Chapel yesterday.  The renovation continues and they tell me that they hope to reopen in March.

Bridge over I-75 in New Tampa receives approval

Yesterday Hillsborough County approved the $16 million bridge over I-75 connecting New Tampa Blvd. with Commerce Park Blvd. providing many New Tampa residents an alternate route to the very busy Bruce B. Downs.  The Tampa project will take about two years to complete.  (See related traffic study.)

Wesley Chapel Medical Center Renderings

The Wesley Chapel Medical Center had its groundbreaking ceremony last month.  Hunton Brady Architects in Orlando is the design firm and they now have six different renderings of the hospital on their website.

Boyette Water Treatment Facility Update

The new Boyette Water Treatment Facility with a construction cost of $7,868,000. is located at Boyette and Overpass Rd. in Wesley Chapel and is scheduled to become operational in March, 2011.  The water storage tank at the new facility has a 5 million gallon storage capacity and the tank/facility will ensure proper water pressure during peak demand times of the day.  Look for berms and landscaping to go in soon.

Freddie Mac's Chief Economist forecasts increase in mortgage rate by year end

At the NAHB's International Builder's Show recently held in Orlando, Frank Nothaft, Chief Economist for Freddie Mac predicted fixed-rate mortgages will move up from their current 4.75 percent to the 5.75 percent range by the end of this year. This will push total single-family mortgage originations down about 30 percent below the 2010 level as refinancings fall sharply in the face of rising mortgage rates. Link

Cell tower at New Tampa's Grace Episcopal Church a difficult cross to bear

Discussions over whether a 100 foot cell tower in the form of a large cross could be built on the grounds of Grace Episcopal Church in Tampa Palms have gone back and forth.  At one point the Tampa Palms Owners' Association gave tentative/preliminary approval for the T-Mobile tower, but more recently has withdrawn approval citing restrictive covenants prohibiting a tower on that specific parcel.  Other parcels for a T-Mobile tower within Tampa Palms are under consideration at this time.

Suncoast Arts Fest 2011 at The Shops at Wiregrass

The Suncoast Arts Fest hours at The Shops at Wiregrass are Saturday from 10:00 to 6:00 PM and Sunday from 11:00 to 5:00 PM. (Photos this weekend.)

Traffic lights for SR 56

Poles for traffic lights at SR 56 & Meadow Pointe Blvd. and SR 56 & Mansfield were unloaded yesterday morning.  These traffic lights should be installed and operational by March, 2011 according to Pasco County.

Taste of New Tampa 2011

Sponsorships, vendors, restaurant and artist positions are still available at the upcoming Taste of New Tampa on March 20, 2011.   You can now download the application forms at the following link: http://www.box.net/shared/zic991n6x8

Top Thai restaurant coming to New Tampa

Sign announcing the Top Thai restaurant located at the former Romanos Cafe at 20685 BBD.

Thanks to S.G. for the heads up!

Mega Sportsplex may become reality for Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel

The St. Pete Times reports that Wiregrass Ranch is negotiating with a group to build a 30 field sports complex off State Road 56. That private group would buy the land from the Porter family and operate the proposed facility which would include fields for lacrosse, soccer, adult and youth baseball and softball.  The Times further reports that this would be at no cost to the county, according to Wiregrass attorney Bill Merrill. 

Wow, another home run for Wiregrass Ranch and our community!  The development of Wiregrass Ranch includes a great mall which has become our community town center, a new hospital already under construction and plans for a community college campus.  All of these will enhance the quality of life in Wesley Chapel and the future Wiregrass residential development will be even more successful with these great community features.

Suncoast Arts Fest this weekend at Wiregrass!

Don't forget the Suncoast Arts Fest this weekend at The Shops at Wiregrass.  The art show's hours are:  Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Additional information and video.

MLK Day

Wesley Chapel Real Estate Report

An analysis of single family home sales for Wesley Chapel in the fourth quarter of 2010 shows that "Traditional" home sales made up 45% of the reported sales, followed by Bank Owned/Reo's with 29%, and Short Sale/Pre-foreclosure homes with 26% of the quarterly sales reported in our MLS.*

As expected, the number of days from contract to close was the highest with Short Sale/Pre-foreclosure homes (that sold in the 4th quarter) with the average number of days coming to 92.  Due to the Short Sale process of waiting for the seller's lender(s) to approve (or reject) the contract, the time it takes to close can be significantly longer than in traditional and bank owned/ foreclosure sales where no 3rd or 4th parties are required for approvals.  The longest period of time from contract to close on a Wesley Chapel Short Sale home that closed in the fourth quarter was a sale that took 214 days.

Currently 48% of the single family homes listed for sale in Wesley Chapel are traditional sales.  38% of the homes on the market are Short Sales/Pre-Foreclosures and 14% are Bank Owned/Foreclosures.*

*Information reported from MLS deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

I 275 widening project

Another road widening project in our area was started last week.  I-275 will be widened from four lanes to six lanes (3 in each direction) from north of Bearss to the apex at I-75.  The new lanes will be built in the median and a concrete barrier will be added in the median on the southern portion of the project.

Additionally, some newer technology will be included in the project: 5 cameras, 20 microwave vehicle detectors, fiber optic cable, and one message sign.  The 5.7 mile project will cost $20.5 million and is estimated to be completed in the fall of 2012.

New mosque under construction in New Tampa

Here's a photo taken today of the new mosque under construction in New Tampa on Morris Bridge Road.  Construction began last year and the building has come a long way since the last photo I posted in July, 2010.

Governor's "hold" on state road projects not affecting local Wesley Chapel roadwork

State Road 54 at Boyette Rd. in Wesley Chapel

I bet you are curious if the Governor's recent hold on state road projects is affecting work/progress on our local roads under construction.  According to Pasco County Engineer and Chief Project Manager Robert Shepherd, work has not changed on SR 56, SR 54, or Bruce B. Downs. 

Engineer Shepherd also adds:  Work on SR 54 from West of I-75 to east of Curley is approximately 65% complete with 39% of time used and another public meeting/update for the SR 54 widening project is scheduled for March 24th.

Additional roadwork updates from Shepherd:

• SR/CR 581 (BBD) from south of SR 54 to the Hillborough County line is to be complete by mid March, 2011.
• SR 56 from BBD to Meadow Pointe Blvd. including signals at Mansfield and Meadow Pointe Blvd. is also on schedule for completion in late March, 2011

New Tampa Real Estate Market Report for December, 2010

Sixty single family homes were reported sold in New Tampa in December by our local MLS with an average reported sold price of $286,156.  The average sold price per square foot (heated & cooled) was $97.96 with a wide range from a low of $65.00 to a high of $173.00.*  Currently there are over 300 single family homes listed for sale in New Tampa with list prices ranging from $79,900 to over $2.5 million.
*Information provided by MLS deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Wienermobile visits New Tampa and Wesley Chapel

It seems as soon as you see the Wienermobile, you automatically hear the tune...."Oh I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener"....in your head. 

The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will be at the New Tampa Sweetbay today (17605 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa) from 10 - 4 and at the Sweet Bay at 27301 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel on Sunday, January 9, from 10-4.

What is a WIENERMOBILE?

Frankly here are the Nuts and Bolts on the 2004 WIENERMOBILE

(Dog)mentions:

Height: 11 ft. 24 Hot Dogs high

Length: 27 ft. 60 Hot Dogs long

Width: 8 ft. 18 Hot Dogs wide

Weight: 14,050 lbs. 140,500 Hot Dogs

The Meat:

Grilled Fiberglass hot dog resting on a lightly toasted fiberglass bun

Converted Chevrolet – 4 Speed / W4 Series Chassis

Engine: V-8, 6.0 liter 300 VORTEC 5700 – runs on high-octane mustard

The Condiments:

Gull wing door with automatic retractable step

Hot dog shaped dashboard

 Hotdogger voice activated GPS Navigational system

 Ketchup walkway (oops, looks like they spilled some mustard!)

Condiment splattered carpet

Computerized control panel with a sound system to Relish

Removable Bunroof

Rear navigational camera

Blue Sky ceiling art

Six Mustard and Ketchup colored seats

Smiling front grill

Official Wiener Jingle horn

Wienermobile Fun Facts!

Carl Mayer, nephew of Oscar Mayer, designed the first Oscar Mayer Wienermobile in 1936.

The Wienerwhistle was developed in 1951. In 1958, kids of all ages found this soon to be icon included in packages of Oscar Mayer® Wieners.

Since the inception of ‘Hotdoggers’ in 1988, over 300 college graduates have held the prestigious position.
Between 12 and 30 people are chosen each year for the coveted position from hundreds of applicants.
You can follow the adventures of the Wienermobile at http://www.hotdoggerblog.com/

Pasco Fire Chief to address PACA

Pasco County’s director of emergency services/fire chief will discuss the delivery of fire rescue services when he addresses the Pasco Alliance of Community Associations on Thursday, Jan. 13.

Chief Anthony F. Lopinto will detail the challenges of providing services in a tight economy that has required the Board of County Commissioners to reduce agency budgets. He brings extensive experience to his position. He joined Pasco County Fire Rescue in 1977 and has served in the dual role of Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief since 2000.

The public is invited to attend the meeting. It begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 13, at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, located at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. (US 41), three miles north of SR 54.
After his remarks, Chief Lopinto will answer questions from PACA members and the public.