Construction is ahead of schedule on the I-75 widening project between Fowler Ave. and S.R. 56.
Although it may be holding up the completion of the Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. widening from Pebble Creek Blvd. in New Tampa south to Palm Springs Blvd. in Tampa Palms, the I-75 widening project between Fowler Ave. and S.R. 56 actually is ahead of schedule.
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 7 spokesman John McShaffrey says that the $95-million project, which Prince Contracting, LLC, began in October 2011 to widen the 11.4-mile section of the interstate from four lanes to six lanes — and eight lanes near the interchanges — is cruising right along.Continue reading
It’s never a good idea to open the door for strangers, as a manger at New Tampa’s Burger King (in the Trout Creek area) has learned the hard way.
A masked gunman enters the New Tampa Burger King on July 24.
According to the Tampa Police Department (TPD), just after midnight on July 24, the store manager of the New Tampa Burger King, located at 20590 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., just north of Burger 21, heard the buzzer coming from the rear door just after closing.
TPD reports that the manager thought the person at the door was a member of a maintenance crew, and opened the door to a man loading a semi-automatic pistol.Continue reading
Ground has been broken on a new 8,000-sq.-ft. retail plaza on Morris Bridge Rd., just north of Cross Creek Blvd.
By Matt Wiley
Construction has begun on the Shoppes at Morris Bridge, a new medical and retail plaza located on the west side of Morris Bridge Rd., just north of Cross Creek Blvd.
The owner, Dr. Mohamad Saleh, a neurologist and New Tampa resident, will anchor the 8,000-sq.-ft. plaza with a third location for his practice, which will specialize in both neurology and wellness.
“It’s going to be nice and elegant,” Dr. Saleh explains. “We’re going to have an outside seating area and a gazebo.”
Dr. Saleh says that his practice will take up about 3,000 square feet of the new plaza, leaving about 5,000 square feet for other tenants. Construction, which began in May, is expected to be completed by January.
“The area is growing, so it’s an open invitation to anyone who wants to move in,” Dr. Saleh says of prospective tenants. “I’ve gotten calls from dentists, and even people hoping to bring a restaurant to the plaza.”
Dr. Saleh says there will be about four additional vacant spaces once he moves his practice in, each with between 1,200-1,500 sq. ft. of space, but can vary depending upon the size of the business or businesses that end up moving into the plaza.
This will be Dr. Saleh’s third location, with additional offices in both Brandon and Brooksville. But, he says, the New Tampa area is his home.
“We’ve been busy in Brandon and thought that our niche would do well in New Tampa,” Dr. Saleh says. “I’ve gotten several calls from interested parties, so far, but I’m in no rush.”
Driving through Tampa Palms, it’s difficult to ignore the sound of saws cutting down branches along Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.
TECO workers trim back the foliage along Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Tampa Palms.
It may be loud, but the intense trimming of trees along the roadway during the past several weeks is in preparation for the next segment of BBD widening that is expected to begin by early next year.
According to TECO (Tampa Electric Company), the utility company is trimming back foliage and preparing to move its existing power lines so that there will be enough room for
the project to widen BBD from four to eight lanes between Palm Springs Blvd. and E. Bearss Ave.Continue reading
Three people have been arrested in connection with a string of business burglaries that have plagued the Wesley Chapel area in recent weeks.
According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), Sarah Zachman, 31, Jamar Thompson, 28, and Christian Quevedo, 25, have been arrested in connection with business burglaries at Dr. John Long Middle School, Cash For Gold (32733 Eiland Blvd.), Goin’ Postal (27221 S.R. 56), CVS Pharmacy (30050 County Line Rd.) and Reckitt Benckiser (2148 Ashley Oaks Cir.).Continue reading
