Pasco County Emergency Management Notification Program

If you are a Pasco County resident and interested in participating in a test of an emergency notification state pilot program, register online at the Pasco County Office of Emergency Management. The service enables key officials to send emergency information via e-mail and in voice messages to county residents' phones (land and cell).

Print Pink at The Shops at Wiregrass

Residents can honor their loved ones who've been touched by breast cancer and leave a lasting impression in a tribute that will raise funds to support the American Cancer Society and fight the disease, with The Shops at Wiregrass Print Pink! Program. For a $50.00 donation to the American Cancer Society, you receive one clay tile for a personalized message imprint or hand imprint. The colorful 6x6-inch tiles will be signed, glazed and installed at The Shops at Wiregrass.

The tile-imprinting event will be held on Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2 from 10 AM - 5 PM during designated time slots. Appointments are required for this very special event and can only be made online. Event registration deadline is Thursday, October 30, 2008.

Registration is online at the NEW website for the Shops at Wiregrass under events effective today. Also, the Grand Opening ribbon cutting is scheduled for October 30th at 10:00 a.m.

SR 56 Extension to Mansfield Delayed

Well folks, the extension of SR 56 to Mansfield which was to be completed before October 30th is now delayed. Speaking with Pasco County Commissioner Pat Mulieri today, she explained that the extension is a high priority for her and expressed frustration too over the delay. It seems that one reason for the delay is obtaining land from The Shoppes of New Tampa for the sixth lane.

Mulieri also advised that the extension of 56 to the new mall, The Shops at Wiregrass will be complete before the mall opens and that the extension to Mansfield Blvd. should be complete before February 15th, 2009. The extension of SR 56 from BBD to Meadow Pointe Blvd was/is supposed to be complete within 18 months of its start. Note: On Saturday, August 16, The Tampa Tribune provides additional details on Wiregrass road difficulties: Link

Once again I inquired about the status of road construction updates on the county's website which were promised in a meeting back in January. She assured me that she will follow up on its status and get back to me.

Bridge Over I-75 Connecting Tampa Palms and West Meadows

The controversial proposed bridge over I-75 connecting Tampa Palms to West Meadows (Commerce Park Blvd. to New Tampa Blvd.) may proceed. The $22 million project may be required due to prior state concurrency agreements even though the East-West connector project between New Tampa and I-275 was recently abandoned.

New Website for Pasco County Government

Pasco County government now has a new website. On the new site I couldn't see any evidence of road construction updates that were promised in their transportation meeting held in Wesley Chapel last winter.

Dunkin Donuts Coming To Wesley Chapel

On my way to show homes this morning I noticed a sign for Dunkin Donuts. The new Wesley Chapel donut shop will be opening in the same shopping center as All Pro Barbers, Bright Eagle Cleaners, and Edible Arrangements. It's located on the west side of BBD just north of Ancient Oaks Boulevard at Seven Oaks.

Early Voting Begins Today

Early voting in the primary elections begins today and ends August 23rd. Local area voting locations and times:

New Tampa -- (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday thru Saturday): New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Boulevard.

Wesley Chapel -- (10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday): Village Market of Wesley Chapel, 5325 Village Market.

Cobb Theatres at the Grove in Wesley Chapel August Slide Show

Lexington Oaks Market Update

Five single family Lexington Oaks homes were reported sold in July per our MLS. Sold prices ranged from $164,900 to $197,000. Current list prices on Lexington Oaks homes listed for sale in MLS range up to $450,000.

Extension of Mansfield to S.R. 56

It looks like the extension of Mansfield Blvd. in Meadow Pointe to the future SR 56 is nearing completion. We have been told that the extension of SR 56 from BBD to Mansfield is to be complete before the Shops at Wiregrass opens the end of October.

Josephines Soul Food

Today I noticed a sign for Josephine's Authentic Soul Food in the plaza directly behind Walgreens at Meadow Pointe in Wesley Chapel, on Center Oak Dr. The sign indicates "coming soon" . We sure are getting a lot of new restaurants in the area recently.

Jo-Ann Fabrics To Open At Market Square in New Tampa

Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts will open at Market Square in New Tampa on August 21, 2008, joining Staples, BJ's, Petsmart, Bed, Bath, & Beyond, and Ross Dress For Less which have already opened.

Arbor Greene Housing Market Update

The popular gated and guarded community of Arbor Greene in New Tampa has 46 single family homes for sale in MLS. List prices begin at $224,900 for a four bedroom, 2.5 bathroom bank owned home that is lacking appliances and A/C to $560,000 for a five bedroom, 4.5 bathroom, 3 car garage pool home on a pond.

Seven single family Arbor Greene homes were reported sold in July per MLS ranging in prices from $225,000 to $440,000, and six are shown as under contract.

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, 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.

Realtor/New Home Builder Expo

Approximately 50 new home builders participated in this year's annual Realtor/Builder EXPO held today. Photo shown is of Beverly and Frances, reps. for Suarez Housing, a new home builder in our local Wesley Chapel area.

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.