Old Navy coming to The Grove in Wesley Chapel

Old Navy in Wesley Chapel

Construction has begun on a 15,000 + sq. ft. Old Navy store (#3978)  at The Grove mall in Wesley Chapel between TJ Maxx and Toys R Us.  The store is scheduled to open later this year. 

August, 2012 Update

Memorial Day Weekend

Pasco homeowners now can file for homestead exemption online

This week the Pasco County property appraisal website introduced new online procedures to file for homestead exemption. Prior to this, homeowners were required to apply in person. Pasco County online homestead exemption page

Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch

Here's a recent aerial photo of the construction of the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch (Pasco-Hernando Community College), in Wesley Chapel.

Barbara Corcoran gives advice to first time homebuyers

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Pilot Bank relocates New Tampa office

Pilot Bank in New Tampa

New Tampa's Pilot Bank branch on Bruce B. Downs in front of Pebble Creek was located there for 15 years and has relocated on BBD a bit south (across from Panera Bread).  The new renovated location opened last week and it has maintained the same caring and cheerful staff led by V.P/Manager., Pat Ashton and Assistant Manager, Rita Boodram.  So, if you are finally fed up with that uncaring attitude and zero customer service from your megabank, you might want to drop by and speak with Pat or Rita to transfer your accounts to a community bank.  (This year Pilot Bank is celebrating its 25th Anniversary.)  The New Tampa lobby hours are 9-4 Mon.-Thur., 9-6 on Fri., and 9-12 on Sat., with extended drive up hours and 24 hr. ATM.  Info:  Address--17635 Bruce B. Downs  Phone--813-349-4560.  Website-- https://www.pilotbank.com/

New Tampa Blvd. bridge over I-75 project

New Tampa Bridge Project Over I-75

Fresh market today in Wesley Chapel

Fresh Market at The Shops at Wiregrass

Don't forget today is fresh market day at The Shops at Wiregrass from 10:00 to 3:00!

FDOT to hold open house in Wesley Chapel on May 22nd regarding improvements to I-75 & I-275

The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a corridor open house regarding improvements to I-275 and I-75 in northern Hillsborough County and projects on I-75 in all of Pasco and Hernando counties. The open house is scheduled for Tuesday, May 22, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Northbound I-75 Rest Area at Mile Marker 278 in Wesley Chapel, Florida.   

The improvements include capacity and operational upgrades such as roadway widening, repaving, interchange improvements, signal replacement, drainage, highway lighting and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) components. Nine projects will be included in this open house:

1) FPN 408459-2, 408459-3 and 405492-8: I-75 from south of Fowler Avenue to State Road 56 -- widening -- under construction

2) FPN 408459-4: I-75 from State Road 56 to north of County Road 54 -- widening -- under construction

3) FPN 258736-2: I-75 from County Road 54 to State Road 52 -- widening & interchange improvements -- under design

4) FPN 411014-2: I-75 from State Road 52 to the Pasco/Hernando line -- widening -- under design
5) FPN 411011-2: I-75 from Pasco/Hernando line to State Road 50 -- widening & interchange improvements -- under design
6) FPN 411012-2: I-75 from State Road 50 to Hernando/Sumter line -- widening -- under design
7) FPN 258660-2: I-275 from Floribraska Avenue to Yukon Street -- bridge widening -- construction starts summer 2012
8) FPN 427173-1:  northbound I-275 at Fowler Avenue -- ramp widening -- under construction
9) FPN 258413-1, 258413-3 and 407233-7: I-275 from U.S. 41 to I-75 -- widening -- under construction

There will be no formal presentation; therefore, you are encouraged to drop in at your convenience during the hours listed above.

Outlet mall to open in 2014

In today's Tampa Bay Times, Mark Albright reports the Simon Property Group has signed up Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th to anchor a new outlet mall in Wesley Chapel with an opening date of 2014.  While no official statement has been made by the group to confirm the location of the mall, we have seen a steady progression of reports about an outlet mall at the I-75 & SR 56/54 location.  The mall would be built on the south side of the Cypress Creek Town Center site which has been under controversy for years and located just a few miles from Wesley Chapel's two other malls--The Shops at Wiregrass and The Grove.  Link to full story from the Times

Short Sale homes continue to languish in Wesley Chapel

We continue to see a large percentage of Short Sale/Pre-foreclosure single family homes under contract while the percentage of those that actually close on a monthly basis is much smaller. The chart below shows actual home sales for April by categories and compares them to homes under contract:

Additionally, the average days to closed for Wesley Chapel single family homes that sold in April was 133 days for "normal" sales and 278 days for Short Sales.  Remember, Short Sale does NOT mean quick sale!

Currently Short Sale/Pre-foreclosure listings of single family homes for sale in Wesley Chapel make up  26% of the homes on the market.

A new AutoZone for New Tampa

AutoZone in New Tampa under construction

Grading has begun for the construction of an AutoZone in New Tampa, just north of the Trout Creek Commons plaza on the west side of BBD.

Bank forecloses on Short Sale home buyer two months after cash purchase

Short Sale cash home buyer files suit:  Link to article

Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch update

Construction of Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch

The construction of the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, the new Pasco-Hernando Community College campus in Wesley Chapel has been quietly underway since it began in August of 2011 without much media attention since its groundbreaking. Lately you may have noticed a very large crane/auger on site that is being used for the deep foundation systems. According to Lucy Miller, Executive Director, Marketing and Public Relations for Pasco-Hernando Community College, site work on the campus is now 75% complete and they just recently started the deep foundation system, with footings/slab work to begin in August. Once that is complete, construction will become a lot more visible when they go vertical in September. The campus is located on Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel (next to Wiregrass Ranch High School),  plans to open in 2014 and has a construction cost of $45,887,981.

For all the moms

New water restrictions

The Southwest Florida Water Management District, which regulates water use in a 16-county region that includes the Tampa area, imposed tighter watering restrictions in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. The restrictions limit irrigation to once a week and will be in place until July 31st.

Panera Bread coming to Wesley Chapel

Panera Bread Wesley Chapel

This sign is posted on SR 56 on an outparcel between Grillsmith and AJA at The Shops at Wiregrass announcing that Panera Bread is coming.  (Thanks to blog reader Stephen for the heads up!)

New Tampa Real Estate report for May, 2012

69 single family homes in New Tampa were reported sold in April (an increase of 11% over last April) with an average sales price of $267,463.  The reported average sold price per sq. ft. (heated) was $94.66.  Additionally, 72% of the reported sales by our local MLS for the month were "normal" sales; 13% were Short Sales (pre-foreclosures), and 15% were REO's/Foreclosures.  We are now seeing multiple offers on some listings, with bidding wars on some listings; particularly those that show well and are not distressed properties.  26% of the reported single home New Tampa sales in April sold at or above list price.*

Currently there are over 300 single family homes for sale in New Tampa (zip code 33647) with list prices ranging from $92,000 to over $2 million.

*Information provided by our local MLS deemed reliable but not guaranteed

Bridgewater HOA wins round one in court

A Bridgewater homeowner who says her HOA wrongly took possession of her home lost the first round in court on Wednesday with a ruling by Pasco Circuit Judge Robert Cole. (See previous blog post.)  Shannon Behnken of The Tampa Tribune further reports that the Bridgewater Community Association provided the following statement:

"The ruling today is a win for people in every community who live as compliant property owners. It is a victory for people who refuse to bow to those who do not pay their debts, while benefiting from the compliance and hard work of their neighbors.

When the current members of the Bridgewater Community Association (HOA) began to guide the community, crime was rampant. Residents felt unsafe. The climate was one of fear, and properties were in deep decline. Drugs were being dealt openly in a park where families were meant to play with their children, breaking and entering was common, and gangs were gathering.

At that time, only 25 percent of residents were paying dues and complying with other HOA rules. Recognizing the difficult economic times, the HOA reduced dues by 50 percent.

Today, 66 percent of members are paying dues and complying. More than 300 homes have been restored or improved through painting, landscaping, replacing or replenishing sod, pressure washing and cleaning oil stains. Homes are now selling."

The Tribune also reports that the homeowner's attorney plans to file another motion on her behalf.

Bits and Bytes coming to The Shops at Wiregrass

Bits & Bytes Island Grill and Cyber Cafe plans to open in the Shops at Wiregrass by the end of June.

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill and iCream in Wesley Chapel opening this month

Two new restaurants are about to open in Wesley Chapel. According to Operating Partner, Kush Vallabh they hope to open Baja Fresh Mexican Grill on or about May 14th and iCream which is located next door, about one week later. Both new restaurants are located across from the new Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel under construction on BBD just north of The Shops at Wiregrass. (See previous blog post including iCream video.)   Note:  On May 15th I drove by and noticed that neither restaurant has opened.

Baja Fresh in Wesley Chapel

iCream in Wesley Chapel