New Tampa Business Briefs — Checking Out What’s New & Planned In Tampa Palms! 

Research & Photos by Joel Provenzano 

A view of the pool at the New Tampa Palms Luxury Apartment Homes rental community.

Although the only community in New Tampa where significant numbers of new single-family homes are still being built is K-Bar Ranch, there also are at least three current construction projects in Tampa Palms — one with new for-rent apartment homes, while the other two are commercial sites, one being a new office building and the other a new self-storage facility. The commercial projects are both adding to the Tampa Palms Professional Center, located on Primrose Lake Cir. off Commerce Park Blvd. 

New Tampa Palms Luxury Apartment Homes 

Located across Tampa Palms Blvd. from the Emerald Pointe townhome community near Lowe’s, there is a new rental apartment community that only recently had a monument sign erected announcing that the new development is called — even though it sounds more like a description than a name — New Tampa Palms Luxury Apartment Homes. 

New Tampa Palms, which is being developed by Tampa Palms Area 3 developer Warren Kinsler (who also developed the nearby Compton Place apartments), is a gated, resort-style rental community with a total of 402 spacious one- and two-bedroom apartment residences in 17 total buildings. 

The one-bedroom, one-bathroom “Palm Springs” model apartments at New Tampa Palms are all 1,264 sq. ft., and currently range in price from $1,705-$1,845 per month, depending upon location. 

The new monument-style sign at the entrance to that community. 

There also is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom “Palm Bay” model that offers 1,333 sq. ft. of living space currently ranging in price from $1,805-$2,245 per month, as well as two different two-bedroom, two-bath apartments — the “Palm Shores” model (1,409 sq. ft.), with rents now ranging between $1,905-$2,025 per month, and the “Palm Gardens” model (1,571 sq. ft.), with rents currently between $2,205-$2,325 per month. 

The rents for all of these different units currently are either $1.35 or $1.40 per sq. ft. and every unit has a patio or balcony with extra storage space, and ceiling heights of 9-16 feet. The residences feature gourmet kitchens with rich, dark wood custom cabinetry, granite countertops, gooseneck faucets, breakfast bars and pantries, walk-in closets and laundry rooms with full-size washers and dryers in every home. 

The community also offers a clubhouse, resident lounge, catering kitchen and fitness center, as well as a luxurious swimming pool (top photo), sundeck, veranda, pergola, al fresco dining and outdoor lounge areas with firepits. There also is a private community lake that offers nature trails, a walking path and a spectacular centerpiece fountain. New Tampa Palms also provides convenient resident parking with EV charging stations and is pet-friendly with a dedicated dog run. 

The community is expected to begin leasing and providing tours for prospective tenants either as you’re receiving this issue or shortly thereafter and the leasing agent we spoke with said that tenants could begin moving into the first two completed buildings by the middle of this month. In addition, for a limited time, New Tampa Palms is offering both one month free on a 13-month lease, plus a $1,000 move-in credit. Also remember to ask for the community’s special offer for first responders, active military, veterans and health care professionals. 

For leasing and more information, call (813) 513-1548 or visit RentNewTampaPalmsFL.com

Medical Office & Self-Storage 
The location (in yellow) of the planned self-storage facility in the Tampa Palms Professional Center on Primrose Lake Cir.

The Tampa Palms Professional Center, a large, multi-building complex located off Commerce Park Blvd., across from the New Tampa Recreation Center, Freedom High and Liberty Middle School, has been around for more than a dozen years, but still continues to occasionally add more along Primrose Lake Cir. (named for the Primrose School of Tampa Palms at the northern end of the complex), including a new self-storage facility located near both the Primrose School and the Discovery Village assisted living facility (see map right). 

Tampa Palms Professional Center developer Garrison (Gar) Urette says that the proposed three-story, 105,726-sq.ft. self storage building with 760 units has not yet pulled a permit but, on Dec. 21, requested a design exception from the City of Tampa Zoning Dept. to allow for eleven total parking spaces, rather than the 39 the city’s Land Development Code would normally require. 

We will update this story when we have additional information. 

The new 8,233-sq.-ft. medical office building (label in yellow) now under construction in the Tampa Palms Professional Center is located between the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Hotel & The Woman’s Group on Primrose Lake Cir. 

Much further along, however, is a new 8,233 sq.-ft. medical office building to be located on Primrose Lake Cir., between the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Hotel and the building that is home to The Woman’s Group. Although we weren’t able to reach the owner and general contractor for the project, Roberto Saez of Design & Construction Innovations, LLC, before we went to press, the permit with the City of Tampa appears to divide the building into four separate suites, each with their own entrances. 

In addition, on the title block of the site plan, one of the buildings is labeled “Derek Dental,”, but Gar Urette says he isn’t sure if the building had any officially signed tenants at our press time, so we won’t speculate as to who the tenant might be without confirmation from Saez. 

We also were told by a member of the construction crew that one of the suites may be a pharmacy for The Woman’s Group, but we had no confirmation of that as we went to press. What we did find, however, is an access agreement between the two property owners that has easement rights and shows that the building that is under construction and the Woman’s Group building will be sharing the existing parking lot. 

For more information about either of these projects or about spaces available for lease at the Tampa Palms Professional Center, call (813) 876-7697 or visit TampaPalmsCenter.com

Upcoming Events: Cornhole Tournament, Book Signing, Jazz Performance, Book Sale & More! 

Last year’s “Hole Lotta Love” Cornhole Tournament at Wharton High was so successful and so much fun, the school’s PTSA decided to make it an annual event. 
(Cornhole Photos provided by the Wharton PTSA) 

Although we no longer have a regular Community Calendar listing in our print issues, there are a number of upcoming events that merit your consideration, so we decided to include as many of them here as possible. 

If you have an event upcoming that takes place after March 5, feel free to email me at ads@ntneighborhoodnews.com and I will see about getting it included in our next New Tampa issue. 

Saturday, February 10, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. — The Second Annual ‘Hole Lotta Love” Wharton Cornhole Tournament.

This event, held for the first time last year and hosted by Wharton’s PTSA, will again be held on the Wharton football field (20150 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.). This is a community event for players of all ages and skill sets. Tournament play begins at 2 p.m. and check-in opens at 1 p.m. There is no deadline to sign up, but pre-registration is highly encouraged for quicker check-in. Spectators and fans also are encouraged to come and cheer on their favorite teams and best of all, 100% of the proceeds will fund grants for Wharton’s teachers and staff. 

Each two-player team is guaranteed to play four games in the Round Robin qualifier for a chance to enter the Single Elimination Championship! In addition to ultimate bragging rights, the players from the top two teams will each walk away with a prize package. 

Can’t make the event, but still want to show your love from afar? Consider supporting us by purchasing 50/50 tickets or by making a general donation. 

The cost to play is $20 per player and all registrations are considered to be a donation to this fund-raising event. No refunds will be issued for cancelled registrations. For more information, see the ad below. 

Thursday, February 15, 8 p.m. — The Tampa Jazz Club’s USF New Tampa Jazz Series presents singer Alexis Cole with the USF Jazz Ensemble 1. 
New York-based singer Alexis Cole will join the USF Jazz Ensemble 1 at a big band performance at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center on Feb. 15. 

The USF Jazz Ensemble 1 will present an evening of modern big band jazz with outstanding New York-based singer Alexis Cole at the amazing New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Sponsored in part by the Neighborhood News. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for Jazz Club members, $10 for students and just $5 for USF students For more info, see the ad below. 

Friday, February 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Saturday, February 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. p.m. — The Friends of the New Tampa Library’s Annual Giant Book Sale.

The Friends of the New Tampa Library will host their annual Giant Book Sale at the New Tampa Regional Library (10001 Cross Creek Blvd.). With most books being sold for just 50 cents, all proceeds will benefit the library’s Summer Reading programs for children and events and classes for all age groups. For more information, see the ad to the right. 

Monday, February 26, 7 p.m. — Monthly meeting of the New Tampa Democratic Club.

The New Tampa Democrats are gearing up for the upcoming 2024 Presidential and local election season. For more information, see the ad below. 

Wednesday, February 28, 6 p.m. -8 p.m. — Book Launch Performance & Book Signing for Running From Yesterday by Margarette Allyn.
Margarette Allyn will be dancing and signing her book Running From Yesterday: 
A True Story of Hope, Courage and Love at the NTPAC on Feb. 28. 

Margarette Allyn (photo, left) is an author, speaker and dancer who believes in the healing power of making choices guided by instinct, intuition and faith. 

Two unexpected episodes played pivotal roles in Margarette’s life, introducing her to the world of the performing arts. 

The first was watching “The Nutcracker” on TV. The second was encountering the iconic TV show “Fame,” which struck a chord with its relatable characters and stories that felt just like her own. Dance soon became Margarette’s refuge — a way to escape and express herself. Her dance aspirations took flight when she was accepted into Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts — the real “Fame” school — in New York’s Upper West Side. 

It was a dream that seemed beyond reach, especially for a young woman from Harlem. But, Margarette held onto the idea that the sky has no limits. However, unforeseen circumstances, ego and personal choices halted her burgeoning dance career, crushing her dreams of attending Juilliard and leaving her with a deep sense of loss. 

At the age of 24, Margarette embarked on a new path, joining the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Despite battling an overwhelming cloud of dread, despair and her complex relationship with alcohol, she clung fiercely to her discipline, determination, and the will to truly live. 

Supported by her loyal friends and colleagues, she dedicated twenty years to her police career, retiring as a Sergeant in 2019. 

Today, Margarette resides in New Tampa with her husband and two sons. 

This remarkable journey serves as the focal point of her inspiring memoir, Running From Yesterday, A True Story of Hope, Courage, and Love. Grateful for the grace and mercy bestowed upon her, Margarette finds purpose in giving back to those she mentors, is dancing once again, accepts motivational and inspirational speaking engagements and looks forward to many more years of being on stage. 

Get Your Tickets Now To The Last Weekend of “The Putnam County Spelling Bee!”

If you like your musical comedies to be fun, with great songs and maybe a little bit of vulgar language, you should get your tickets now to “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” the laugh riot being presented tomorrow — Thursday, February 9 — through Saturday, February 10, by Mad Theatre of Tampa at the Shimberg Playhouse at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Tampa.

The show — the first of MAD Theatre’s 25th anniversary season — which promises some audience participation in the craziest Spelling Bee (with six mid-pubescent spellers, all played by young adults) ever, features a super-talented ensemble cast that includes two lead characters from recent New Tampa Players (NTP) productions — Chris Cordero (who played Shrek in “Shrek The Musical”) and Dylan Fidler (who played Danny Zuko in “Grease”), as well as choreography by Evan Lomba (who played Donkey in NTP’s “Shrek”). The MAD Theatre show’s director is Casey Vaughn, with music direction by Megan Zeitler and artistic direction by Tony Gilkinson.

And, after checking out one of the show’s rehearsals — which included at least two spelling words I’m ashamed to say I couldn’t spell — I can assure you that “Spelling Bee” is not only fun and funny (the dialogue won both the Tony and Drama Desk awards in 2005 for Best Book of a Musical by Rachel Sheinkin), but also chock full of great, catchy songs, with the fresh and vibrant score by William Finn. 

But, tickets (starting at just $20) are going fast, so to get yours, visit StrazCenter.org or MadTheatre.com.

All Remaining Performances Of The New Tampa Players’ “Dreamgirls” Are Now Sold Out!

After seeing the New Tampa Players production of “Dreamgirls” at the New Tampa  Performing Arts Center last weekend, I can understand why all three remaining performances this weekend are already sold out!

Anyway, here are some pictures from last weekend. Look for more info In upcoming issues of the Neighborhood News!

Visit NewTampaPlayers.org to get on the waiting list!

Pride Elementary Media Specialist Suzy Tkacik Falls Short Of Winning Diversity Educator Of The Year Award

Updated by Gary Nager

Pride Elementary principal Paulette English (left) with Pride media specialist and 2024 Hillsborough County Public Schools’ Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year award finalist Suzy Tkacik in the school’s Media Center. (Photo provided by Hillsborough County Public Schools)

Among more than 200 nominations for the 2024 Hillsborough County Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year award, just four finalists were selected.

And, although she didn’t end up winning the award, one of those four standout District-wide educators/finalists was Pride Elementary media specialist Suzy Tkacik.

“Mrs. Tkacik is deserving of this recognition because she positively influences every student, teacher, support person, district worker, and visitor who comes our way,” says Pride principal Paulette English. “She is enthusiastic, creative, motivating, and kind. Because of her leadership and love for students, our Media Center is a cheerful, well-organized, welcoming environment, and always buzzing with happy students, teachers and volunteers.”

The Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year is one of three awards given out each year by the Hillsborough Education Foundation, in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools. 

According to the Foundation’s website, the award is named after Ida S. Baker, who became the first African-American to serve as Deputy Superintendent for the Florida Department of Education (DoE), after she also was the founding principal of Cape Coral High and the first-ever Black high school principal in Lee County. Baker was known for her efforts to support diverse students and encourage academic success. After her passing in 1992, the DoE created this statewide award in her honor.

Each school in Hillsborough County may nominate one teacher who, “embodies the pioneering spirit of Ida S. Baker by going above and beyond to meet the needs of our diverse student population.”

Suzy says she loves being the media specialist at Pride, where most of the school’s families come from other countries.

“About 60 percent of our families are from India, and then we have students from China, South America, Africa, Europe, Eastern Europe and others,” she says. “I’ve gotten to meet students from all around the world.”

She says that once she meets a student, she tries very hard to remember his or her name. “We have students who have more than 20 characters in their first name alone,” she says. “I take a lot of time to learn their names and learn how to pronounce them. It matters a great deal to me.”

And then, she also makes sure that every student is represented in the Media Center’s library by the books and materials that are available to them.

She says she recently had a seven-year-old ask for a book about her home country of Jordan. Since there wasn’t one already in the library, Suzy found one to be added to the collection. When it arrived in the Media Center last week, Suzy says the girl’s eyes just lit up.

“That’s Amman!,” she says the girl exclaimed as she flipped through the pages. “That’s my city!”

Suzy says the wonderful diversity of her school has had a deep impact on her. 

She thinks back to last fall, when she challenged her students to share information about the Hindu festival of Diwali on the school’s morning show. Suzy says she learned about the ways Diwali is celebrated by many of the school’s families who are from India. While it’s a common holiday to celebrate, each family has different traditions and some even have different beliefs about the origin of Diwali.

“When I get to hear their stories of their rich backgrounds, I want to soak it all in,” Suzy says. “They teach me more than anything.”

Suzy has been the media specialist at Pride since she launched her second career 15 years ago. Before that, she earned a degree in public relations and journalism. She says once her children — who are now 28, 25, and 22 — started school, she “discovered school libraries and what cool places they are” and returned to college to earn a Master of Arts (M.S.) degree in Library Information science from University of South Florida (USF). 

For the last 15 years, she says she has been surrounded by fantastic educators who do an amazing job of maintaining Pride’s “A” rating year after year.

“I don’t have a degree in education,” Suzy says, “so everything I’ve learned about being an educator has been from watching my great colleagues. It’s a team effort.”

Unfortunately for the timing of our Feb. 6 New Tampa issue, Hillsborough County’s 2024 Excellence in Education Awards Gala was held on Feb. 1, after that issue went to press. The Ida S. Baker Award winner this year was Dr. Ilfaut Joseph of Jennings Middle School.  The other two annual awards announced at the Excellence in Education program on Feb. 1 were the 2024 Teacher of the Year Dr. Clayton Nylund of Blake High and Instructional Support Employee of the Year Maria Ortiz of Temple Terrace Elementary

All 11 schools in New Tampa submitted a nominee in each of the three categories. But this year, Suzy was the only New Tampa nominee to be chosen as a finalist in any category. “Our amazing Mrs. Tkacik wears lots of hats and is many things to many people,” English says. “She makes every child feel special and makes everyone she works with feel valued and appreciated.”