By Matt Wiley,
If you enjoy riding your bicycle anywhere in New Tampa, the Tampa Police Department (TPD) suggests closing your garage door.
According to TPD, bike thefts are a common crime in these parts, mostly due to how easy it is to just pick one up and ride away.
âWe are seeing spurts of this type of crime here and there,â says TPD Det. Katherine Thiel. âThe assumption in some gated neighborhoods is that itâs safe to leave your garage doors open.â
By Matt Wiley
One of the tallest points in New Tampa, the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) Insurance Southeast Regional Office facility stands tall above the trees in Tampa Palms and can be seen for miles in either direction from I-75.
San Antonio, TX-based USAA, which provides financial service products to past and present members of the U.S. armed forces and their families, has announced that it will be bringing an additional 1,215 jobs to the Tampa Bay area, as it plans to construct a massive new facility in Brandon, in addition to adding jobs at its existing New Tampa office, which is located just off I-75 on Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms.
According to a November 5 press release from Florida Governor Rick Scottâs office, in addition to the massive amount of jobs USAA is adding to the local economy, the company also will make an estimated $164.3 million capital investment in Hillsborough County by 2019.
âThe expansion of USAA in Hillsborough County will create more than 1,200 new jobs for Florida families, meaning 1,200 families will have the opportunity to live their version of the American Dream right here in the Sunshine State,â Gov. Scott said in the release.
Currently, the Commerce Park Blvd. facility employs more than 1,900 people. The new facility, which will be located at the Crosstown Center, an office park near the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway and U.S. 301 in Brandon, will total more than 420,000 sq.-ft. and is expected to be completed by 2015.
USAA executive director of public relations Jen Becker says that at least some of the new jobs are likely to be coming to the existing Tampa Palms office.
âThe jobs will be spread across our facilities in the Tampa area,â Becker explains, adding that company officials have not yet determined how many of the new jobs will be coming to each location
âUSAA is growing, as the demand for our financial products and services among the military community increases,â USAA CEO Joe Robles said in the release. âWeâve had a great team of employees in Tampa for 40 years and we are excited to grow that team in this great military community.â
Allen Brinkman, the chairman of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation â who also is chairman, president and CEO of SunTrust Bank Tampa Bay â also was quoted in the press release.
âUSAAâs decision to invest and expand in Hillsborough County is a statement of confidence in our community, and a tangible indicator of our economic vitality and momentum,â Brinkman said.
For more information, please visit USAA.com.
COMING SOON: Our editor takes a look at “The Hidden Hunger on Long Island.” Keep an eye out for it here and in a future issue of the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News.
By Matt Wiley
For more than a year, it has been sitting vacant on Dona Michelle Dr., but it looks as if new life is destined for the former Lee Roy Selmonâs location in New Tampa, according to a press release from the Selmonâs franchise owners.Continue reading
By Matt Wiley
UPDATE: The Tampa City Council has officially approved the addition of more than 116,000 sq.-ft. of commercial zoning in Tampa Palms Area 3, which will allow for more retail and restaurants in between Compton Dr. and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. The decision came during a “second reading” of New Tampa, Inc.’s proposal before the Council on November 7. Click through for more details.Continue reading