New Construction Surrounds Ashton Oaks On Both Sides

Harmon Ashton Oaks’ ‘Build-To-Rent’ Townhomes & Two Ridges Rd. Will Each Flank Established Community 

The Google map above has been modified by Neighborhood News to show the locations of the portion of Two Ridges Rd. now under construction (upper Two Ridges Rd. label) & Harmon Ashton Oaks. 

 Development to the left, development to the right. It doesn’t take a genius to understand that Wesley Chapel is one hot area, quickly being shaped by one project after another, and the residents of the Ashton Oaks community off C.R. 54/Wesley Chapel Blvd. are seeing that first-hand — as their small neighborhood of 203 single-family homes and 70 villas is literally being surrounded on all sides by new construction. 

About 1.5 miles east of Meadow Pointe Blvd. along C.R. 54 (which was called S.R. 54 until recently, when Pasco County took over the responsibility for the road from the state), two major projects are currently moving full steam ahead, flanking the established Ashton Oaks neighborhood and bringing both long-awaited infrastructure improvements and new residential growth to the area. 

Two Ridges Rd. Extension Moving In The Right Direction 

The first project will likely be something of a major relief for many Ashton Oaks residents, who have dealt with increasing cut-through traffic ever since the first leg of Two Ridges Rd. (see map) opened in early 2025. 

That initial 1.3-mile segment connected S.R. 56 to Grecko Dr., which created a temporary route between C.R. 54 and S.R. 56 for drivers “in the know.” While some residents viewed the shortcut as an unexpected traffic burden, the corridor itself was always envisioned by county planners, long before the first homes in Ashton Oaks were ever built. 

Looking south at the intersection of River Glen Blvd. & the new portion of Two Ridges Rd. (Photos by Joel Provenzano) 

Now, the northern second leg of Two Ridges Rd. — approximately 0.7 miles in length — is rapidly taking shape (photo right). The extension will run north to the existing traffic signal at C.R. 54 and River Glen Blvd., across 54 from the main entrance to Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. 

Crews are currently performing grading, drainage and landscaping work across the corridor, steadily preparing the site for curbs, paving and final roadway construction. 

At the current pace, locals can likely expect the Two Ridges Rd. construction to be near or fully completed by the end of 2026. 

Once finished, the new extension will become the southern leg of the existing C.R. 54/ River Glen Blvd. intersection, opening access to future development opportunities on the southwest corner of the intersection, including a planned commercial parcel and the anticipated second phase of the nearby Valencia Ridge 55+ community (again, see map). 

According to county records, GL Homes — the developer of Valencia Ridge — is funding and constructing the extension of Two Ridges Rd. using developer dollars. 

Beyond local traffic improvements, the project also represents another major step toward the completion of a larger regional north-south corridor first detailed in our “…Road with (Too) Many Names?!” article nearly two years ago. 

That corridor, pieced together through multiple separately named roadway segments, is now quickly becoming reality: 

• 100% of the K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. segment in New Tampa is currently under construction 

• Approximately 90% of the Wyndfields South segment is under construction 

• Roughly 50% of Vida’s Way has already been completed (with the other 50% to start along with a future phase) 

However, one major section of this road with too many names will no longer move forward. As we reported last year, the entire Kirkland Ranch portion of the corridor was sold to the state for conservation purposes, removing that segment from future roadway plans. 

Most of the roadway sections are being constructed privately by developers as part of their associated communities. The only publicly funded portion currently planned is the southernmost 10% of Wyndfields South, the section along the west side of Union Park Charter Academy, which is slated for completion by Pasco County. 

Harmon Ashton Oaks Brings Build-To-Rent Trend To C.R. 54 

The second major project under way, to the east of Ashton Oaks, is Harmon Ashton Oaks (see map above & photos below), the build-to-rent townhome community rising on the southeast corner of C.R. 54 and Ashton Oaks Blvd. 

The signage for Harmon Ashton Oaks is visible from C.R. 54.

The 28-acre development will feature direct access from both roadways and represents another example of a rapidly growing housing trend across the Tampa Bay region: professionally managed rental home and townhome communities. 

The project is being developed by DRB Group Florida in partnership with Crescent Communities, which has previously developed several apartment communities throughout Florida, including the well-rated Novel Beach Park overlooking Tampa Bay in the Westshore area of Tampa. 

However, Harmon Ashton Oaks appears to be Crescent Communities’ first single-family-style rental community in Florida, despite the company already operating similar Harmon-branded communities in North and South Carolina, Texas and Arizona. 

Unlike traditional apartments, build-to-rent communities are designed to offer many of the conveniences of apartment living while providing features more commonly associated with single-family homes. 

That includes attached garages, private ground-floor patios opening onto lawns, larger floorplans, and increased privacy — all while still offering residents on-site leasing offices, professional property management and lease flexibility. 

The concept has become increasingly popular in Wesley Chapel in recent years, joining communities such as Vireo Wesley Chapel in Meadow Pointe III and Skymor Wesley Chapel off the end of Caroline Dr. 

According to the developer’s website: 

“Designed to blend the freedom of renting with the comfort and privacy of single-family living, Harmon Ashton Oaks will feature 115 thoughtfully designed 3- and 4-bedroom, 2-story townhomes averaging more than 1,800 sq. ft. Each residence will include modern finishes, spacious interiors, private yards and 2-car garages.” 

The developer’s rendering of the Harmon Ashton Oaks build-to-rent townhome community.

Plans for the community also include a resort-style pool, leasing office, amenity center and an adjacent 10,000-sq.-ft. open lawn and play area. Notably, every unit in the development is expected to include a two-car garage — an uncommon feature for rental communities. 

Harmon Ashton Oaks is currently expected to welcome its first residents in early 2027. 

Interestingly, while promotional materials for the project reference a future dog park, we were unable to locate that feature on the approved site plans or amenity drawings submitted for the development. 

Caught In The Middle 

Whether it’s new roads, new rooftops, or entirely new ways of living, the area surrounding Ashton Oaks is rapidly transforming, as Wesley Chapel’s growth engine continues pushing eastward along CR 54. 

While Ashton Oaks itself may not be the focus of the development boom, this established neighborhood now finds itself directly between two major projects that reflect the area’s continued evolution — one aimed at improving regional connectivity, the other introducing another modern housing concept to one of Pasco’s fastest-growing corridors. 

And with construction activity accelerating on both sides of the community, residents are getting a front-row seat to just how quickly Wesley Chapel continues to change.

Statewide Safety Effort Brings ‘Watch For Motorcycles’ Signs To Local Crash Site

Tyler J. Norman 

Tyler Norman (photo) was riding east on County Line Rd., the road still quiet in the early morning hours, and the hum of his motorcycle steady beneath him as he approached the signal for the intersection of County Line Rd. and Grand Hampton Dr. 

It was the kind of ride that feels routine — familiar roads, familiar turns — until, suddenly, it wasn’t. Tyler’s life was cut short at age 19. 

Five months later, two small matching roadside signs now stand along that same stretch of asphalt. Simple, temporary, easy to miss if you’re not looking. But, for those who know, it marks something permanent. 

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Florida, and this year, those signs and their familiar message have taken on a deeper meaning across Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, and the surrounding areas. 

As part of a statewide effort, Florida’s Motorcycle Safety Coalition — also known as “RideSMART Florida” — and its partners announced the following at the end of April: 

“RideSMART Florida and our statewide partners will begin placing hundreds of “Watch for Motorcycles!” signs throughout the state at the sites of 2025 motorcyclist fatalities. This powerful visual tribute aims to honor fallen riders and raise driver awareness leading up to the start of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month [which started] on May 1.” 

After the initiative began, those signs (paid for by the Florida Department of Transportation, or FDOT) appeared locally — including the one placed along County Line Rd., in front of Grand Hampton (photo, right) — each one tied to a real story, a real life lost. 

One of those lives lost was 19-year-old Tyler Norman. 

According to investigators, Tyler was riding a 2012 Kawasaki motorcycle eastbound around 2:30 a.m., on Dec. 6, 2025, when a Nissan Rogue traveling westbound attempted to turn left onto Grand Hampton Dr. Authorities say the driver, 50-year-old Mauricus “Rico” Labron Green, turned directly into Tyler’s path, violating his right of way. The motorcycle struck the front of the SUV. 

Tyler (who was wearing a helmet) was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries. 

Green remained at the scene and was arrested, as police reported signs of impairment. Court records show he was charged with DUI manslaughter and refusal to submit to testing, along with a citation for an improper left turn. His case remains open and is scheduled to continue later this year. Records also indicate a prior DUI arrest in Lakeland in 2017. 

Behind the legal process, though, is the reality those roadside signs are meant to convey. 

Tyler’s family, like too many others, was devastated by the loss. And, across Florida, similar signs now stand for other riders — each representing family and friends navigating the same kind of grief, the same unanswered questions, the same sudden absence. 

The goal of the campaign is not only remembrance, but prevention. 

Above graphic source: RideSMART Florida 

Motorcycle crashes often come down to a narrow margin — visibility, timing and judgment. In many cases, including this one, right-of-way violations and impairment play a role. 

But, safety officials emphasize that responsibility for these crashes is shared. Drivers are urged to double-check intersections, especially before turning left, always use their turn signals, even if they think no one is nearby, and to remain alert for motorcycles — which can be harder to see and judge in distance. 

Riders, in turn, are encouraged to stay visible, ride predictably and anticipate potential hazards at every intersection. 

Those small signs along the roadside are easy to pass by without a second thought. But they are placed with intention — at the exact locations where moments like Tyler’s unfolded. 

They are reminders that every commute, every late-night drive and every routine ride carry weight. And, that looking out for one another on the road isn’t just a slogan — it’s what may one day separate a close call from a devastating loss. 

State officials stated that due to safety and maintenance reasons, the temporary signs would only be placed on local roads, not interstates or limited access roadways. 

To learn more about RideSMART’s statewide initiative, visit RideSmartFlorida.com/may/ 

New Signal Underway at Cypress Creek Rd. & County Line Rd.; Design Approved for Meadow Pointe Blvd.

By Joel Provenzano

Two key intersections are moving forward in Pasco County’s short-range efforts to improve traffic flow and safety, with one signal now under construction and another entering its design phase. 

Cypress Creek Rd. & County Line Rd. (photo above): Signal Construction Begins

As previously reported in March, in connection with the Mater Academy signal project in front of Grand Hampton, Pasco County had placed the long-anticipated signal at the dangerous intersection of Cypress Creek Rd. and County Line Rd. in its 2026 work plan. Construction officially began in April. 

The start of work followed completion of a key roadway improvement: the southbound approach on Cypress Creek Rd. was widened to include a dedicated right-turn lane onto County Line Rd. Before formal improvements began, that approach had become an informal, dirt-and-pothole right turn path created by steady driver use. 

This intersection serves as an important connector between County Line Rd. and S.R. 54 (just west of where it becomes S.R. 56), supporting traffic from Oak Grove, Carpenter’s Run and the Lantower at Cypress Creek apartments. 

It is especially congested during peak hours, with drivers often struggling to find safe gaps in both directions of traffic before entering. 

According to the latest plans, the new signal will feature a single diagonal span wire mounted between two steel poles, and pedestrian crosswalks across both roadways. 

Once complete, it is expected to significantly improve both safety and traffic flow at this heavily used junction. 

The project is anticipated to be finished and operational by this summer. 

Meadow Pointe Blvd. & Country Point Blvd.: Signal Moves Into Design Phase 

More than two decades after the Country Walk community first started taking shape, a traffic signal is finally moving forward at Meadow Pointe Blvd. and Country Point Blvd. (rendering, right). 

Pasco County officially approved the signal’s design funding during the March 24 Board of County Commissioners (BOC) meeting. 

This intersection serves as the only entrance and exit for the Country Walk community. 

Although the roadway currently includes dedicated left- and right-turn exit lanes, residents have long experienced challenging conditions, particularly during morning peak hours when outbound traffic competes with commuters heading toward S.R. 54 and nearby schools. 

The project was first formally shared with residents at the Country Walk CDD meeting in June 2025, where it was noted that the county also would make modifications to the median nose to accommodate an updated crosswalk location. 

At this time, construction is shown to take place sometime in the county’s 2027 adopted work plan. 

Both projects reflect continued efforts by Pasco County to address long-standing congestion points in the rapidly growing communities of Wesley Chapel and Lutz, although residents in Meadow Pointe and Country Walk will need to wait longer for relief compared with the soon-to-be-finished Cypress Creek improvements. 

New Walmart Also Will Include S.R. 56/Morris Bridge Rd. Improvements

To the likely delight of many residents — and to the dismay of others — in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and eastern New Tampa, plans for a second Walmart in Wesley Chapel are continuing to move forward, with construction expected to begin later this year. Here’s everything you need to know. 

First reported in these pages in July 2025 as part of a Two Rivers development update, the new Walmart is planned for the southwest corner of S.R. 56 and Morris Bridge Rd., just inside the boundary of the River Landing Master Planned Unit Development (MPUD) and across Morris Bridge Rd. from the burgeoning Two Rivers community. 

Early rumors had suggested the site might become a Lowe’s Home Improvement store, but those plans have since been replaced — and all signs now point clearly to Walmart — despite a lack of markings on the county-approved renderings — and those approvals are helping it along. 

A Slightly Smaller — But Fully Equipped — Walmart Store 

According to the latest site plan (left), the new Walmart will be slightly smaller than others in the area, totaling approximately 183,000 sq. ft. 

By comparison, most nearby Walmart Supercenters easily exceed 200,000 sq. ft. Despite the reduced footprint, the store is expected to include a full range of features, including a full liquor store, a drive-through pharmacy, a dedicated curbside pickup area, an auto care center and a large gas station with a 1,600-square-foot convenience store and up to 20 fueling positions located near the signal (as shown in plans from April). 

Notably, aside from the gas station, there will be no additional outparcels or standalone businesses on the Walmart site. 

How Do We ‘Know’ It’s A Walmart? 

Interestingly, none of the official permits or early plans explicitly state that the store will be a Walmart and no renderings were initially released — prompting some skepticism, even from us. 

Furthermore, the project is being developed by Stiles Corporation, a Ft. Lauderdale-based firm better known for building Publix-anchored centers and Costco developments, with no clear history of Walmart projects. That alone raised eyebrows. So we dug deeper. 

The confirmation came in an unexpected way: the curbside pickup parking signage shown in the plans (right) matched exactly with newly installed signage around the New Tampa Walmart — right down to the color specification labeled “Walmart Blue” (under “Pickup & Pharmacy”). 

That detail, combined with the overall site layout and operational features, provided the “smoking gun.” 

In other words, while the official “Walmart” storefront signage and announcement from corporate may come later, the parking lot plans already gave it away. 

Why This Location? 

Some residents have questioned the need for another Walmart in our area, but the reasoning largely comes down to spacing and demand. 

This new store will sit approximately: 

• 8 miles from the Walmart on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel 

• 9 miles from the Bruce B. Downs location in New Tampa 

• 9 miles from the Zephyrhills Walmart on Gall Blvd. (U.S. Hwy. 301) 

This creates a fairly typical “coverage triangle,” with an average spacing of about 8 miles between stores — a pattern Walmart has replicated across Florida. 

Equally important, this location will serve the southern portion of Zephyrhills, an area that currently relies heavily on the northern Zephyrhills store — and a store that many shoppers know can be overcrowded, with frequent inventory shortages and parking challenges. 

The new Walmart is clearly expected to help relieve that pressure while supporting the overall region’s continued population growth. 

The River Landing Connection 

The Walmart site falls within the 801-acre River Landing MPUD, which also includes the communities known as River’s Edge and Summerstone. River Landing has long-held entitlements for 250,000 sq. ft. of commercial/retail space and 150,000 sq. ft. of office space — and, to date, none of that commercial square footage has been developed, despite the residential portions of the MPUD being largely built out. The vacant corners at S.R. 56 and Morris Bridge Rd. — where the Walmart is planned — were always intended for this type of use. 

The only remaining residential component currently under construction (on the north side of S.R. 56) within River Landing is a 266-unit townhome development. 

Morris Bridge Rd. Improvements 

As the Walmart project advances, so do plans to address traffic concerns along Morris Bridge Rd. On April 21, 2026, the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners approved a development agreement (DA) tied to the project that includes significant roadway upgrades: 

• Widening Morris Bridge Rd. from two lanes to four lanes between Colston Ave./Oldwoods Ave. and S.R. 56 

• Construction of a four-lane roundabout on Morris Bridge Rd. at the main southern development entrance 

• New turn lanes at the S.R. 56 intersection 

• Installation of 10-foot multi-use paths on both sides of Morris Bridge Rd. 

The Walmart developer will fund the design and construction of these improvements, with the county providing approximately $4.7 million in reimbursement because of the regional nature of the improvements.. 

While some residents voiced concerns about traffic and noise — particularly related to the Walmart — county officials emphasized that this DA strictly addressed roadway infrastructure, with commercial development details handled separately. 

Looking Ahead 

With approvals in place and infrastructure planning under way, the long-anticipated Walmart appears to be on track to break ground soon. 

For an area experiencing rapid growth, the addition represents both a response to increasing demand and a continuation of the broader buildout of Two Rivers and surrounding communities. 

As always, the Neighborhood News will continue to follow updates as this project moves from planning to construction.

Dentistry Deja Vu? Telling A $6 Billion Tale Of Two Identical New Heartland Dental Offices

The under-construction Heartland Dental office located south of County Line Rd. and west of BBD Blvd. (Photo by Joel Provenzano)

What we first thought was just another routine addition to Wesley Chapel’s growing commercial landscape has turned into something far more intriguing. 

While reporting our last cover story — “Olive Garden & Seasons 52 Coming to WC Blvd. at Gateway Blvd.!”—we briefly noted a standalone dental office planned for the same development, although we didn’t honestly know the office’s name at that time, but now know that it is Heartland Dental. Whatever it was to be called, the dental office barely registered with us. 

Until we saw it again. A second, nearly identical building — same size, same name — quietly rising on the south side of County Line Rd., and west of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., in the LA Fitness/Aldi plaza (photo above) in New Tampa. No signage yet, just a shell. But the plans we saw online confirmed that it is another Heartland Dental. 

Two brand-new, 4,260-square-foot dental offices, each large enough for up to 12 exam rooms. Same operator. Same footprint. Same timing. That’s when curiosity turned into a deeper investigation. 

Copy-&-Paste Dentistry? 

At first glance, two identical dental offices might seem unusual, but in today’s New Tampa and Wesley Chapel — and world — honestly, maybe it shouldn’t be. 

Multiple locations of the same brand popping up in a concentrated area can actually be a lagging indicator of that area’s economic strength. In simple terms: chains don’t plant roots unless the data says the area is “ready.” 

And, while New Tampa has already “arrived,” Wesley Chapel is clearly arriving. 

But, the dentistry scene? That’s always felt different. More local. More personal. Less… corporate. Hmmm. 

The Quiet Giant: Heartland Dental 

Heartland Dental isn’t just another dental company — it’s apparently the largest “dental support organization” in the U.S. 

Founded in 1997 in Effingham, IL, Heartland Dental operates in 39 states and Washington, D.C., and supports 1,900+ offices and 3,000+ dentists. 

Rather than owning these practices outright in the traditional sense, Heartland usually operates behind the scenes — handling administration, staffing, billing, supplies and logistics — while the dentists the company serves retain clinical control. 

Think of it as a hybrid model where dentists focus on patients and Heartland handles everything else. But, that’s really just scratching the surface. 

The Billionaire Dentist Behind It 

At the center of this operation is Rick Workman, D.M.D., the founder and executive chairman of Heartland Dental — and, according to a recent Forbes magazine feature, the architect of a $6-billion empire. 

The March 26, 2026, article — entitled “Meet The Billionaire Dentist That Other Docs Want To Punch In The Teeth” — paints a picture of a controversial but undeniably effective industry “disruptor.” 

Dr. Workman (photo, right), who lives in the Orlando area, is an avid rare car collector, AND part owner of the Tampa Bay Rays. He built Heartland Dental on a simple but powerful idea: 

Let dentists be dentists — and treat everything else like a scalable business. And scale it, he has. 

Controlling Every Aspect 

Here’s where things get especially interesting — and particularly relevant to our area. 

Workman didn’t stop at managing dental practices. Early on, he created a separate real estate arm: WMG Development. 

WMG has developed $1.4 billion in real estate across 30+ states. The firm buys land, builds the buildings, and leases them to Heartland-supported practices. 

Sound familiar? That’s because we realized through a simple search that WMG is the site developer and land owner behind Wesley Chapel’s Gateway Plaza Retail Center project, which includes the future Heartland Dental office, Olive Garden and Seasons 52, all under a shell entity called Shoppes at Gateway, LLC. 

And, no big surprise here, WMG also is the developer of the upcoming New Tampa Heartland Dental location. That site’s land is owned by Southeast QSR, but the development ties back to the same network. 

In other words, this isn’t just expansion. It’s sheer vertical integration. 

An improved version of the map of the Gateway Plaza Retail Center that appeared in our last issue, still showing Olive Garden (OG) and Seasons 52 (S52), but also adding the Heartland Dental (HD) office, (Two maps provided by Pasco County were modified into one map by NN). 
“The Founder” Playbook 

If this model feels familiar, it should. 

Anyone who’s seen the movie “The Founder” (which is great, by the way) — the story of McDonald’s rise — knows that the global chain’s real money wasn’t really made in hamburgers. It actually was all about the real estate. 

Heartland is applying a similar strategy in its dental operations by controlling the real estate, standardizing the dental business’ operations and scaling rapidly. 

For an industry once dominated by small, independent practices — some even in home-based offices — this approach has been nothing short of revolutionary, and it was all Dr. Workman’s idea. 

Raising Eyebrows 

Not everyone is celebrating, however. According to the Forbes article, Heartland’s structured systems include standardized clinical protocols, performance tracking across patient diagnostics and revenue-based compensation models. 

Heartland dentists typically earn a base salary, and begin earning about 25% of revenue after hitting certain production thresholds. The good news is that they average around $318,000 annually (vs. the dental industry average of about $208,000 per year). 

To supporters, this is efficiency and opportunity. To critics, of which there are apparently many, it raises important questions: Does standardization also influence treatment decisions and can corporate metrics coexist with personalized care? 

The debate is ongoing — and some dentists in our area are already part of it, similarly to what’s happened with other medical groups in other specialties. 

Already Here & Growing Fast! 

Heartland Dental already has a presence nearby, through supported practices like Somerset Dental Care in Tampa Palms, Watergrass Dental Care (on Curley Rd.), Dental Care at Quail Hollow and others. But these two upcoming Heartland locations definitely seem to be different. 

The “Heartland Dental” name apparently will appear directly on both of these new buildings. If that’s indeed what ends up happening, it could signal a shift toward more visible branding for Workman’s expanding company. 

In other words, this might mark a notable evolution in Heartland’s strategy. 

What This Means For New Tampa & Wesley Chapel 

So, here’s the big question: 

Is our area truly ready for corporate dentistry at scale? 

On the one hand, we have strong population growth, rising household incomes and increasing national brand presence (especially in Wesley Chapel), where all signs point to “yes.” 

On the other hand, this could lead to higher base commercial rents, more competition and greater pressure on independent dental providers. Chains like Heartland could benefit from economies of scale, access to capital (including backing from firms like KKR, née Kohlberg, Kravis & Roberts) and control over both operations and real estate. 

For smaller, single-location dentists, that can be a tough playing field to navigate. 

Disruption, Or Just the Next Phase? 

In fact, it may simply reflect the next phase of growth for the Wesley Chapel area as a whole. The arrival of chains — whether in dining, retail, or now healthcare — does often signal maturity of a market. 

But, it also changes the landscape. 

The question isn’t whether Heartland Dental will succeed here. The real question is will — or how will — the local dental industry ecosystem adapt? 

Because what’s being built isn’t just two dental offices. It’s a new model — one that could reshape how dentistry is delivered in our community for years to come.