The Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Segment A widening projecting, for months just a long procession of work trucks, dirt and orange barrels, is now steamrolling towards completion, as drivers begin to notice the new lanes expected to relieve traffic on New Tampa’s congested main thoroughfare.
Segment A, which extends 3.5 miles from Bearss Ave. to Palm Springs Blvd. and has included the widening of bridges over Cypress Creek, is taking shape. The two additional lanes on each side of the road are now visible north and southbound, primarily between Cypress Preserve Dr. and Tampa Palms Blvd. in Tampa Palms (see pictures).
Drivers can now experience all four lanes of BBD northbound from Tampa Palms Blvd.
South of Tampa Palms Blvd., the widening is still taking form as the new lanes-to-be are visible but unpavedjust, although local businesses may soon be rejoicing. And, while there is still construction all along BBD, driveways into restaurants like Acropolis and Mr. Dunderbak’s and further north at businesses like Panda Hugs Child Care Learning Center which have been obstructed or closed for some of the last 10 months, are all but completed.
“There appears to be a light at the tunnel now,’’ said Panda Hugs’ Tom Driscoll. “It’s getting easier day by day. Now, they open it up for a week or two, then block it again. I have no reason other than my gut feeling to say this, but hopefully by the end of June it will be pretty much done.”
The $55.8-million segment is still on target for completion in August, says Jason Boulnois of the Hillsborough County Public Works Dept. Hillsborough’s largest current transportation project, BBD has required 33,000 feet of storm pipe and drainage inlets, 66,000 feet of curb and gutter, 24,600 linear feet of sidewalk, 3,450 feet of water main with 15 fire hydrants and 18,400 feet of wastewater pipe to date.
The remaining work in Segment A to be completed is finishing construction of the median and southbound inside lanes, landscaping, final grading and signs and pavement markings.
Segment D Update
With Segments B and C already completed, the final segment to wrap up the project to convert BBD from a four- and six-lane divided roadway to an eight-lane divided roadway to relieve the area’s infamous traffic congestion is Segment D, a 1.44-mile section stretching from Pebble Creek Blvd. to County Line Rd.
The least expensive portion of BBD to expand, Segment D is a $24.7-million project that is expected to be completed by July 2018 by Prince Construction, LLC.
The first major work has recently begun in the Wharton High area, installing the main stormwater culverts, which are the large cement tubes visible to travelers on BBD.
Now that school is out for the summer, workers may have an easier time with construction. But, the work schedule is unaffected by the school schedule. “Unfortunately, there is limited ability to change the sequence of operations for the work near the high school,’’ Boulnois says. “However, we are in constant contact with the school administration and will schedule work that interferes with traffic with minimal impact to school traffic.”
He adds that the next several months will focus on the installation of underground drainage and utilities. After that, construction of the new southbound lanes will begin, and will begin to show visible progress to BBD travelers.
So, your favorite (or not) New York-transplanted editor is back for another rant about driving in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel — and really everywhere in Florida.
I’ve already complained about our self-deputized civilians who refuse to get out of the left lane (because they may be traveling the posted speed limit), despite the fact everyone who wants to drive a normal speed has to pass them on the right — and are still doing it despite Florida’s new law that says you can be ticketed for it. “Slower traffic keep right” isn’t just a slogan.
I’ve also previously explained why dedicated right turn exit and acceleration lanes when going from one major roadway to another are neither yield nor stop signs.
So, here’s Part 3 of this “helping you drive better” series — which I felt was particularly fitting as our recent drought ended and we began the rainy/hurricane season when the calendar turned to June — driving in the rain.
Let’s take a quick quiz on the subject:
1. Whenever you’re driving in the rain, you should:
a.) reduce your speed, b) allow yourself additional braking distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, c.) turn on your headlights if they’re not already on or on auto, d.) all of the above. The answer, as most everyone knows (except those who refuse to turn on their headlights in the rain), is d., all of the above.
2. When are the roads at their slipperiest or slickest?
a.) When it’s been raining heavily all day, b. When it first starts to rain, c.) The roads are always equally slippery, d.) I have no idea.
The answer to that one is actually b., because the oils that build up on the roadway when it’s dry outside rise to the surface and make the roads slicker than when it’s been raining all day and those oils have all been washed away. Sadly, this means that for many people, the answer, until now, was d.
Now for the toughie/trick question (despite the hint in the photo above):
3. When it is raining so hard that seeing the vehicles in front of you becomes difficult, you should:
a) Pull off to the side of the road and have your hazard lights flashing, b) Continue driving, but turn on your hazard lights, c.) Continue driving, but make sure that your headlights are on, reduce your speed and use extra caution or d.) I have no idea.
The “trick” part is that if it’s so bad that you really can’t see the vehicle in front of you, the answer should be a., but very few of us will choose to do that when we’re in a hurry to get to or from work or to a meeting or event that we can’t afford to pull over and wait it out, especially because you’re something of a sitting duck if someone else swerves off the road.
The most practical answer, in that case, is actually c. Those of you who picked b. might as well have picked d., because you are truly clueless — a fact that is re-proven to me almost every time it rains more than a drizzle here.
But, here’s why you don’t turn your hazards on in heavy rain, McFly — your hazard lights are for when you and/or your vehicle are in an emergency situation — you had to pull off the road to change a flat tire, your car breaks down in the middle of the road, etc.
If you’re already driving with your hazards on and your car breaks down (maybe because you’re driving through deep water and your car’s electrical system goes bad), how will the vehicle behind you know that your car has stopped working? The answer is usually by smashing into you from behind, which is normally the rear-ender’s fault, but not in this case.
As indicated on the sign in the photo, Florida law says “Driving in the Rain: Headlights On, Hazards Off,” which means that if you have an accident while violating this law, you would be the at-fault driver.
So, please: read the sign and obey it. Driving in the rain is tough enough without drivers who make up their own laws because they mistakenly think it’s easier to see flashers than it is steady lights.
WCNT-tv Keeps Building!
Check out the ad for WCNT-tv — Wesley Chapel & New Tampa Television — on page 43 of this issue. You’ll see some numbers that I’m very proud of. As of June 9, a little less than a year since we debuted the show — we have reached very close to three quarters of a million people and been viewed more than 350,000 times on YouTube and Facebook.
Our recent Neighborhohood Dining News segments about Little Italy’s Family Restaurant & Catering and Fushia Hot Pot Buffet & Asian Bistro each garnered thousands of views and have generated some new business at both locations. And, I think our most recent News segment about the Diverging Diamond Interchange (see story on page 6) and most recent Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Featured Business segment about American Wood Flooring are among the best work we’ve done to date.
Please view, like & share all of our WCNT-tv segments on YouTube & Facebook!
Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera hosted a town hall meeting at the New Tampa Recreation Center in Tampa Palms that attracted roughly 75 local residents who came to discuss a number of issues., especially those related to the traffic in our area.
Town hall meetings are all the rage this days, with the operative word, in too many cases, being rage. Constituents are demanding answers from their representatives, especially regarding healthcare issues, and the disruptions and anger make national news on a seemingly weekly basis.
A New Tampa town hall, organized by District 7 City Councilman Luis Viera and held June 5 at the New Tampa Recreation Center, however, couldn’t have gone any smoother.
“It really shows that people are engaged,’’ Viera said. “The next one we have will probably be even bigger.”
Here are five takeaways:
1. This Was A Good Idea
If you’ve ever wondered what is really bothering people in New Tampa, the town hall, which attracted roughly 75 local residents, including many of the area’s Homeowner’s Association presidents, was a good place to find out.
Outside of the usual complaints about taxes and transportation, those who attended raised a number of issues like trash on Cross Creek Blvd, local commercial buildings looking run down, bank foreclosed property causing a blight in otherwise well-kept neighborhoods and even concerns about the ability of ethnic minorities to worship safely.
This is exactly what Viera says he had hoped for when he scheduled the event. With code enforcement inspector Fred George and Tampa Police Department District 2 shift commander Kevin Schoolmeesters in attendance, some of the simpler questions raised will undoubtedly be answered. Most important, Viera said, was that a majority of those who raised concerns seemed to be satisfied with the answers.
For the bigger, more complicated issues, like transportation and the city budget, it was a step in the direction of creating a unified front when it comes to lobbying city hall for changes. Viera has already formed the New Tampa Council with this idea in mind.
“We need a collective and unified voice,’’ Viera said.
Although Mayor Bob Buckhorn couldn’t make it, his chief of staff, Dennis Rogero, did attend. And, while he didn’t really have any concrete answers for those asking questions, he was certainly enlightening and honest, even if it meant telling people things they didn’t want to hear.
More on that later.
2. The Big Issue
To quote Bob Parker of Heritage Isles, the biggest issue in New Tampa is “transportation, transportation, transportation.”
While Pasco and Hillsborough counties remain at loggerheads over connecting the two at various points between Meadow Pointe and the K-Bar Ranch, traffic is a real concern for local residents along Cross Creek Blvd.
Bob Parker of Heritage Isles tells Luis Viera that trafiic, traffic and traffic are the big issues facing New Tampa.
The City Council recently okayed plans for 400 more homes to be built by M/I Homes in the K-Bar Ranch area. “You should be ashamed,’’ Parker scolded, considering there’s only two two-lane roads in and out of the area.
“I feel like I live on an island,’’ Parker added, “and there are two causeways, Bruce B. Downs (BBD) and Morris Bridge Rd.”
That lack of options is preventing people from getting to hospitals, and making the long drives to work in Tampa unbearable. “It’s killing New Tampa,’’ he said.
Rogero said the city is well aware of the issue. “You are right, you might as well live on an ocean,’’ Rogero said. “We hear the horror stories. That’s one of the reasons I live in South Tampa. We looked here. It’s beautiful up here. But, I didn’t want to add a couple of hours in commute time to my schedule.”
That might be unsettling— to hear the mayor’s Chief of Staff confess to avoiding our area because of the traffic — but Rogero was honest and admitted he didn’t have any answers.
Viera didn’t expect answers. But the Hunter’s Green resident is advocating for some “incremental” changes.
One that should sound good to residents of Cross Creek “Island,” is a third left-hand turn signal onto Bruce B. Downs at the very busy intersection that Viera said he will propose.
Another possibility that was raised: Putting the controversial East-West Connector back in the MPO.
Jim Davison, who narrowly lost to Viera in the City Council runoff in December, applauded his former opponent for the town hall and the New Tampa Council, and suggested a second town hall, perhaps with a more narrow focus on one topic, like transportation.
Viera said he hopes to hold another one in December.
3. Getting The Short Shrift
Rogero got an earful from local attorney Tracy Falkowitz, who lives in Tampa Palms, about the plight of the New Tampa Rec Center.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s Chief of Staff Dennis Rogero explained that the New Tampa Recreation Center expansion isn’t high enough on the city’s priority list to receive funding, while Tampa Palms’ Tracy Falkowitz argued that it should be, due to the amount of money the area provides the city in property taxes.
For the second time in five years last year, the City Council voted to provide funds for a different project – the Cuscaden Park pool in Ybor City – instead of the rec center, even though a $1.5-million, 14,000-sq.ft. expansion of the facility was originally included in recent budget drafts.
Despite spending $3.2 million on renovating the Cuscaden Park pool and re-opening it last August, it was closed again in April for more repairs. It has since re-opened.
“This area has been short-shrifted every year,’’ Falkowitz said. “That money needs to come back. This amazing facility does so much with so little. We want our expansion. Every year that money allocated for here gets sent somewhere else, and it’s my understanding that this year it’s not even included in the budget.
She added, “It constantly sends the message: New Tampa, just send us your money, then sit down and shut up. That’s what we’re all being told. So as the budget guy, what are you doing to make sure the community gets what it deserves and was supposed to be given to us six years ago.” That statement drew the night’s loudest round of applause.
Rogero said, however, that it is a misconception that what an area pays in property taxes, it will get back in enhancements. It is a misconception, in fact, shared by quite a few residents.
“We allocate one big pot of general funding for the priorities of the city, city-wide,’’ Rogero said. “We don’t necessarily try to return dollar for dollar to any particular area. That’s simply not the way property taxation is set up.”
Rogero admitted that there is a need in New Tampa for the expansion — the dance and gymnastics programs have roughly 800 students and the waiting list’s cup runneth over — but as each priority is paid off, “by the time we get to the New Tampa Rec Center on the list, we’re out of money.”
Viera said he wasn’t surprised at all that people remain angry about the rec center. “It’s the reason we held the town hall there,’’ he said. “I think it’s symbolic.”
4. Did Someone Say Secession?
Falkowitz ended her comments by mentioning that instances like the rec center expansion being cut out of the budget is why the subject of New Tampa de-annexing from the City of Tampa came up in the last election (and continues to come up). “What would the city do without the funds from (New Tampa),’’ Falkowitz said, which got at least two people in attendance to clap. “We are very, very unhappy with how we have been treated by city of Tampa.’’
“From the city’s perspective,” Rogero replied, “we don’t feel that we’re mistreating New Tampa.’’
There were a few people in the room who didn’t agree with Rogero, including former City Councilman Joseph Caetano, a longtime proponent of New Tampa’s secession.
Viera is strongly opposed to the idea. “I’ve never thought that was a good idea,’’ he said, adding that if people knew what that entailed, they would be opposed, too.
5. Organize & Be Heard
Brad Van Rooyen, who is on the New Tampa Council, and Davison asked a simple question in regards to tax monies – how can New Tampa get the city to pay attention to its needs and to increases services to the area.
Rogero echoed what Viera has been saying, and really, the reason for town halls like this – make your voices heard.
“I have to tell you, it could be that some of you have shown up to the budget meetings,but I can guarantee all of you haven’t,’’ Rogero said, “because there’s typically less than a dozen people there. I appreciate your emails, and your phone calls, but when it’s a billion-dollar budget and another half billion of capital improvement projects, your city council is looking at an empty room. I can’t tell you what prioritization comes to their minds. I can almost guarantee you, though, it won’t be yours.”
Talk of taxes, transportation, budgets and secession aside, most in attendance seemed to be looking for answers to simple problems, like beautifying Bruce B. Downs – Viera is already talking to officials about getting mowers out to New Tampa more frequently — and local commercial buildings and taking care of bank-foreclosed homes.
George, who admits his code enforcement department is understaffed, encouraged people to call in complaints to (813)-274-5545, because he can’t see everything.
Others remain concerned about the county’s plans to stop courtesy buses for students who live within two miles of their school, which will result in students having to cross over BBD by foot. (Walking pedestrian bridge, anyone?)
Residents seemed pleased with the TPD, and were complimentary about the service they receive, like the visits you can get from officers when you are on vacation just by calling (813) 931-6500. And code enforcement and police requests while on vacation can also be filed via TampaGov.net, the city’s website.
Local dignitaries and church members turn dirt where the first row of pews will begin in Grace Episcopal Church’s new sanctuary. Bishop Dabney T. Smith, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida looks on.
On an April Sunday morning twenty years ago, the Rev. Larry Hooper led a joyful procession of Grace Episcopal Church’s congregation from their temporary home at Tampa Palms Elementary to the Promised Land at the confluence of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., Tampa Palms Blvd. and Amberly Dr., where their newly constructed worship building was completed.
Parishioners’ spirits were similarly raised, along with some earth, on June 3 while breaking ground on Grace’s new sanctuary, in a ceremony that united members of New Tampa’s religious and civic communities in celebration.
Referred to as the “Amazing Grace Building Project,” the finished structure will provide 4,500-sq.-ft. of worship space for the church’s 300 parishioners. It is being built by Waterford Designs, Inc. at a cost of $1.5 million.
Etta Green, chair of the Amazing Grace Visions capital campaign, expresses optimism that the labor will be finished in time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
“We’re hoping it will be done by Christmas,” she says.
So far, the capital campaign has raised more than $160,000 of a $450,000 goal, according to Green. Parishioners have the opportunity to contribute to the campaign through donations which can be designated to specific spaces or needs of the project, such as its nursery, carillon or even individual pews, bricks and benches. The remaining cost is being funded from cash the church has on hand.
The groundbreaking was presided over by the Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida. Featured speakers celebrating the occasion included Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who was introduced by Luis Viera, a Hunter’s Green resident who represents New Tampa’s District 7 on the Tampa City Council
“Communities are defined by their institutions and this church is a great strength and support to the families of New Tampa,” said Viera. Grace’s current Rector, the Rev. Canon Benjamin Twinamaani, known affectionately as Fr. Benjamin, served as the event’s master of ceremonies.
A Little History…
Grace Episcopal Church had its genesis in 1992, when it held its first services in a storefront in the nearby City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center. It was one of the few places of worship in New Tampa at the time, and Mayor Buckhorn recognized the relationship between the church and the community it has served in the 25 years since then.
Artist rendering of the new sanctuary.
“We have watched the amazing growth of this community and this church has been an important part of the growth of Tampa,’’ Buckhorn said. “Go make us proud; continue to grow and continue to prosper.”
The event was a bit of a homecoming for Shawn Harrison, who represents District 63, which includes most of New Tampa, in the Florida House of Representatives. He is a former parishioner of the church who said he recalls the relationship between Grace Episcopal and Tampa Palms, which donated land for the church. “This has always been the little community church of Tampa Palms,” Rep. Harrison said.
Bishop Smith turned the soil at the place where the sanctuary’s future altar will be. As he did so, he noted the significance of the occasion, which he referred to as “a moment of aspiration for the church. What we are doing today in simply turning dirt will create a space of transcendence.”
Among members of the congregation who gathered for the groundbreaking, the consensus is that Grace Episcopal is, above all, a welcoming place.
Bernard and Nancy Guss are founding members of the church, and also are a mixed-religion couple. Bernard is Jewish and Nancy is Episcopalian. They say Grace has been a spiritual home that has accommodated both of their respective beliefs.
Bishop Dabney T. Smith, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida, turns dirt at the future site of Grace Episcopal Church’s new altar. He is flanked by (left) Fr. Benjamin Twinamaani, the church rector, and the Revd. Deacon Lynn Grinnell.
“Nancy and I visited several churches before coming here,” Bernard said. “We felt like it was open to a variety of beliefs. It’s truly a unifying place where I have felt welcome.”
Zainaba and Charles Forster are both from the West African nation of Sierra Leone who now make their home in Heritage Isles. Charles said that Grace Episcopal Church is a tranquil place that is always open. “It is indeed what church is supposed to be,” Charles said.
The Forsters were married by Fr. Benjamin, who has been the church’s spiritual leader since 2005. Fr. Benjamin, who is known throughout the New Tampa area, considers the new sanctuary to be a tangible expression of Grace Episcopal’s commitment to the local community.
“We are renewing our identity as a church that anchors the community,’’ Fr. Benjamin said. “In today’s world, we need that.”
Grace Episcopal Church, located at 15102 Amberly Dr. in Tampa Palms, holds services each Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Visitors are always welcome to attend services. For more information, visit online at GraceNewTampa.org or call (813) 971-8484.
Anthony Homer (left) and Richard Blalock of RADDSPORTS, with WCCC CEO Hope Allen. (Photo: OurTownFla.com)
Richard Blalock is eager to get shovels in the ground and the long–awaited indoor/outdoor sports complex in Wiregrass Ranch built. He says that these days, it’s just a waiting game.
However, when Pasco County is ready to issue the permits and get the ball — or, in this case, basketballs — rolling, Blalock assured local business leaders on May 25, at the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) Economic Development Briefing, that his team is ready to go.
“We’re hoping to get it all papered up in August,’’ said Blalock, the CEO & Founder of RADDSPORTS, the Sarasota-based company that will build and run the Wiregrass Sports Complex (WSC) at Pasco County, as he said it is currently called. “We are 30 percent into drawings, 40 percent into civil design, and it will be 18 months to build, but we think we might be able to get it in 12 or 14.”
That would mean a spring 2019 opening for the $44-million WSC, which is planned for part of a 224-acre parcel located northeast of the Shops at Wiregrass.
“We’re excited for it,’’ said WCCC CEO Hope Allen. “We’ve been waiting.”
Blalock and RADDSPORTS VP of development Anthony Homer showed some new designs and news to the monthly WCCC gathering at the Pebble Creek Golf Club in New Tampa.
In conjunction with Mainsail Development, the sports complex will have one of the first full-service Marriott-branded Residence Inns, a 120-room hotel that will now be L-shaped to create a courtyard at the entrance to the WSC, with a sports theme and rooftop bar overlooking the complex, which also will have an amphitheater for concerts and seven soccer fields.
Blalock also showed plans for ponds and a trail system through the complex, in an effort that could appease the older, more country-minded Wesley Chapel residents.
“We’ll be marketing this complex nationwide as kind of an ‘old Florida’ theme,’’ Blalock said. “We want to keep the natural sites, and the ponds….we’d like to tell the basketball teams and volleyball teams up in New York to come down and see a gator. We want to keep that whole theme of nature; that’s what the community is looking for.”
As for the programming, Blalock said it’s too early to determine if the 98,000-sq.ft. indoor facility will be something residents can just walk in off the street and use, but the focus will clearly be on drawing the top youth sports tournaments and athletes not only from around the state, but also from around the country, for tournaments that will fill hotel rooms and restaurant seats and make an economic impact.
Blalock said an intensive youth program will focus on different levels (recreational, competitive and elite) of five primary sports —cheerleading, basketball, volleyball, soccer and lacrosse. The plan is to develop and promote players, like a minor league would do, while also developing the athletes into good citizens.
“The youth sports industry needs a culture change,’’ he said.
Blalock also said the indoor facility will offer educational and tutoring labs, coaching programs for kids who are not inclined to play sports competitively, concession stands and meeting spaces.
“The flexibility is huge,’’ Blalock said.
The indoor complex will co-market with the hotel, much in the way Disney Sports ties in athletic events to its Disney resorts. Homer said they have 38 events already planned for the first year, but he expects to “blow that number out of the water.”
Despite the on-site presence of the Residence Inn, Homer said there will still be plenty of rooms to go around. A volleyball event, for example, could attract 128 teams, resulting in a need for 800-900 hotel rooms.
“Our 120 rooms won’t even put a dent in it,’’ Homer said. “It will fill up not only our hotel, but the others in the area.”
The county says the sports complex is expected to generate 27,000 room nights per year.
Blalock said RADDSPORTS has already secured U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permitting, and is now just waiting on the county.
There is still one obstacle to get over — getting the Tourist Development Tax (TDT) raised in order to help finance the complex. The WSC will be built with $11-million previously set aside by the Board of County Commissioners ($8.5-million in tourist tax funds and $2.5 million in excess bond proceeds from a prior half-cent sales tax bond), a county-backed loan of $14,253,700, plus $18,750,000 from Mainsail Development.
The proposed two-percent increase in the TDT is expected to generate $1.2 million annually, which will help by paying down the loan, along with the revenue RADDSPORTS says the WSC will generate. A super majority vote (four of the five BCC commissioners) is required to officially pass the TDT increase. A vote will be held at a future meeting, following a public hearing.
The Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Segment A widening projecting, for months just a long procession of work trucks, dirt and orange barrels, is now steamrolling towards completion, as drivers begin to notice the new lanes expected to relieve traffic on New Tampa’s congested main thoroughfare.
South of Tampa Palms Blvd., the widening is still taking form as the new lanes-to-be are visible but unpavedjust, although local businesses may soon be rejoicing. And, while there is still construction all along BBD, driveways into restaurants like Acropolis and Mr. Dunderbak’s and further north at businesses like Panda Hugs Child Care Learning Center which have been obstructed or closed for some of the last 10 months, are all but completed.
