The Hub at Lexington, in front of the Lexington Oaks community (and Sentosa Lexington Apts.) on Wesley Chapel Blvd. has started to go vertical, but likely wonโt open until Oct. 2025.
If youโve recently driven by the Sentosa Lexington Oaks Apartments on Wesley Chapel Blvd. (in front of the Lexington Oaks community), you may have noticed that The Hub at Lexington โ the 40,000-sq.-ft. dining and shopping center we first told you about back in Oct. of last year, has started to go vertical.
But, donโt get too excited just yet. Co-developer Courtney Bissett-Hayes of Center Connect Development, says that although the walls are now up on Building One and all six foundations for this six-building project are now in place, she still doesnโt expect The Hub at Lexington to open until October of 2025.
โThe project will open as a whole, not in pieces,โ she says. The build-out will take about 13 months and then the tenants will have six months to build out their spaces.โย
Sadly, Courtney, who operates Center Connect with her brother Paul Bissett, also says that no announcements will be made regrading tenants until the end of the first quarter or the beginning of the second quarter of 2025.
Even so, she says The Hub at Lexington, like its predecessor, The Hub at Bexley off S.R. 54 near the Suncoast Pkwy., will provide, โExperiential dining & entertainment,โ including 15-20 local and regional restaurants and retail shops. And, as we previously reported, there will be twelve artificial trees (photo from Bexley above) providing shade for the complex, twice as many as at The Hub at Bexley.ย
Courtney also says that even though Shanks Indoor Golf & Barโs website still says the indoor golf experience is coming to the complex, she can neither confirm nor deny that at this time.
โWhat I can confirm,โ she says, โis that our 6.5-acre, $24-million project has been designed as a neighborhood amenity, like the Lexington Oaks communityโs clubhouse, so we are serious about providing something special for the area.โ
She also says that Center Connect plans to build 10 โHubsโ in and around the tri-county area (Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough), with Bexley and Lexington being just the first two. โWe will probably announce the third location fairly soon. All of the Hubs will be in front of well-established master-planned communities.โ
For leasing info at The Hub at Lexington, call Courtney Bissett-Hayes at (813) 340-7936.
Congratulations to Florida Penguin Productions and the North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) for hosting a super-successful third annual Summer Rum & Seafood Festival.
Despite heavy rains that delayed the start of the event, this yearโs Summer Rum & Seafood Festival on July 13 at the Tampa Premium Outlets was four hours of tasting samples of rum (and other spirits), great bands, local vendors and, of course, lots of seafood.
More than 1,000 patrons came out to enjoy samplings from nine different Florida-based distilleries including: St Pete Distillery, Everglades Distillery, West Distilling, Tarpon Springs Distillery, 90 Miles South, Lugoโs Craft Distillery, Preez Distillery (photo below), Reif Rum Spirits and American Freedom Distillery.
Entertainment this year included popular southern rock & country band Southbound 75 and Turn It On Again, A Tribute to Phil Collins/Genesis. Turn It On Again did an amazing job of covering the catalogs of Collins and his former Genesis bandmate Peter Gabriel.
Among the fun returning events were the hermit crab races (bottom right), a live mermaid tank (below, right) and 10 different seafood vendors offering everything from crab legs to crab cakes, shrimp skewers, whole snapper and more.
Among the favorite seafood trucks were crab cakes from New Tampaโs own Charm City Eats (top photo) and From the Soul to the Seaโs shrimp bowl (above).
Major sponsors of this yearโs event were Universal Roof and Pasco County Recycling ,with a media shout out to MOR-TV.
According to Drew Cecere of Florida Penguin Productions, admission fees and sponsorships for the Rum & Seafood Festival raised $2.600 for the North Tampa Bay Chamber Foundation. โ GN
After nearly two decades in New Tampa, with one name change and a move to a new location, Saffron Indian Cuisine, located inside the convenience store at the Mobil gas station at 10865 Cross Creek Blvd., has permanently closed.ย
The restaurant, which was first opened in our area by the husband-and-wife team of Nimesh and Sunita Chheda in the Cross Creek Center plaza on Cross Creek Blvd. at Kinnan St. (that location is now occupied by the Nepalese restaurant Gorkhali Kitchen) more than 17 years ago, enjoyed some success, despite being located inside a gas station convenience store, but Nimesh had told me several months ago that he and Sunita were planning to retire, he just didnโt say when that would happen. Unfortunately, I was unable to reach either of them for comment for this story.
In the good news department, however, I spotted a new sign in the Pebble Creek Collection (at 19651 BBD Blvd.) that a new restaurant called Bamboo Sushi Bowls was moving into the space (Suite D1) previously occupied by 35 Below ice cream, which closed several months ago.ย
Although a Google search of the name said that the restaurant was already open, the website BambooSushiBowls.comstill correctly says that the restaurant is โComing Soonโ and is โNow Hiring.โย
I will say that the pictures of the food shown on the website (and in the photo, above), and the menu itself, look quite promising.ย
Calling Bamboo โYour new go-to spot for delicious deconstructed (and customizable) sushi bowls that blend traditional flavors with a modern twist,โ the restaurantโs menu has tempura-style sushi rolls, miso soup, fried chicken dumplings, edamame, summer rolls, create-your-own and named (like the โTwister,โ with tuna, salmon, squid salad, icrab stick, cucumber, carrots, edamame, takun, bamboo sauce, mango and mandarin ginger dressing sushi bowls and more. We do not yet know Bambooโs opening date, but weโll keep you posted. Visit the website to get on their email list. โ GN
Although parts of the new laws may end up being challenged in the courts, many portions of them went into effect on July 1
By Iris Vitelli, Neighborhood News Correspondent & Gary Nager
Among the many bills Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law in May was Florida House Bill (HB) 1203, which is now changing the way many homeowners associations do business. (Photo is from FLVoiceNews.com)
A number of the bills Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law on May 31 of this year will have far-reaching effects on homeowners (HOAs) and condominium associations, licensed community association managers (LCAMs) and home and condo owners themselves.
According to PearlAntonacci.com(the website of the Pearl Antonacci Group of Compass Real Estate, based in Boca Raton), the 2024 HOA (Florida House Bill 1203) and condo (HB 1021) laws introduce stringent requirements for structural safety, financial transparency, and board governance:
โKey highlights include:
โข Reserve Studies & Funding: Condo associations are now required to conduct comprehensive reserve studies periodically. This ensures that sufficient funds are available for major repairs and replacements, providing a clear financial roadmap for future needs.
โข Increased Transparency: Associations must provide detailed financial reports to all members annually, ensuring that every dollar spent is accounted for, fostering trust and clarity within the community.
โข Structural Integrity Inspections: In light of past incidents, there is a heightened focus on the physical health of buildings. Regular, mandatory inspections are to be carried out to guarantee the safety and durability of the structures.
โข Insurance Adjustments: The laws mandate that condo associations maintain robust insurance policies covering a wide range of potential damages, which might lead to increased premiums but significantly better protection against unforeseen events.
โข Enhanced Board Requirements: Board members are subject to stricter eligibility criteria and training requirements, aiming to professionalize HOA management and enhance decision-making processes.
For homeowners, these changes mean more rights and protections from potentially overreaching HOA boards. Itโs important for homeowners to be proactive, by attending HOA meetings and staying informed about their rights under the new laws.โ
But, while not all of Florida House Bill (HB) 1203 is yet in effect, many of these changes did take effect on July 1. The new law requires homeowners associations, certain community association managers and community association management firms โto post certain documents on their websites or make available such documents through an application by a date certain.โ The law also provides that an association or its agent is required to apply and enforce certain standards regarding architectural or construction improvements โreasonably and equitably.โ
Key Changes & Requirements
Several new laws address property management companies. While some HOAs and property management companies have adhered to these now-required practices for years, others were rushing to comply by July 1, when most of the requirements kick in. However, the website requirement is extended to January 1, 2025. The law states that HOA documents must be accessible via a website or mobile app, with a password-protected portal for homeowners. Required documents include:
โข Declaration of Covenants & Amendments
โข Articles of Incorporation & Amendments
โข Bylaws & Amendments
โข Current Rules
โข Contracts & Bids
โข Annual Budget
โข Financial Reports
โข Insurance Policies
โข Director Certifications
โข Agendas & Minutes
โข All Contracts, Notices & Documents related to Conflicts of Interest
โข Member Meeting Notices & Agendas
โข Board Meeting Notices & Enclosures
Although many documents will be available on the HOAโs website, homeowners can still request to view documents kept by the property management company. Requests must be made by certified mail, and appointments will be arranged. Homeowners may take pictures or request and pay for copies of the records.
Penalties & Compliance
The law now explicitly states that directors or property managers who knowingly solicit, offer, or accept kickbacks are guilty of a third-degree felony.
If a director is removed, the Board must fill the position immediately. When entering into a contract with an HOA, the contract must have a conflict of interest section. The property management company may recommend a vendor they have a stake in but must now disclose that information in the contract.
Fining Committees & Procedures
Not all HOAs already have a fining committee but under the new law, all HOAs are now required to establish such a committee. This committee will be made up of homeowner peers, and can not include any Board members or HOA employees. The committee will hear the homeownerโs explanation for not addressing the violation or contacting the property manager to make arrangements. After hearing the homeownerโs side, the committee will decide whether or not to impose the fine. The only authority the fining committee has is to approve or reject the fine; they cannot make alternate arrangements with the homeowner.
Previously, the fining committee met at a location; the new law states that a homeowner can attend these meetings via phone or other electronic means. This law also prohibits a fine or suspension from being imposed if the violation is cured before the hearing has been held.
The law also prevents associations from levying fines and suspensions for leaving garbage at the curb 24 hours before or after collection time or for leaving holiday decorations or lights on longer than allowed by governing documents, unless they are left for more than a week after the HOA gives written notice of the violation.
Expert Opinions
Attorney Jonathan Ellis, who is Board-certified in condominium and planned development law and a Partner and Community Associations Business Sector Chair at the Tampa office of Shumaker, Loop, and Kendrick, and an expert in HOA law, says, โUnfortunately, year after year, more amendments complicate HOA operations. Associations will need to consult counsel more often.โ He adds that, โmany changes are beneficial but will require HOAs to spend money to accommodate them.โ
For example, he says, โOne change that could end up in front of a judge is the new law about commercial vehicles. Homeowners can now park in their driveways. The new law lacks a clear definition of what is considered a commercial vehicle. Is it the definition of the Dept. of Motor Vehicles or the minivan that has a ladder on the top? If someone challenges it, a judge will get involved.โ
Ellis also says that the cost to create, update and maintain an HOA website and for HOA directors to complete certification classes will likely be passed on to the homeowners. Previously, property managers would have new Board members sign a form stating they had read the documents and encouraged them to do so. The new law now requires that all new Board members take the Certification Course and mandates 4 additional hours of education each year for properties with 2,500 or fewer units, or 8 hours per year for larger properties.
โAlthough some changes may be open to interpretation and might end up in court, one thing is clear: Mandating directors to take the certification class and additional education is a positive development,โ Ellis says.
He adds, โThe new law says HOAs may no longer prevent a homeowner from protecting their home against hurricanes. This may mean changes to the architecture of the property.โ He advises HOAs to consult an architect to understand what this means for the HOAโs Architectural Review Committee.
In case you missed it, Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant is now under new ownership, as Jordan and Jason Scott (top photo) have purchased the popular eatery and night spot from the former partnership trio of Lee Bevan and brothers Jamie and Joe Hess.ย
Jordan and Jason, the latter of whom is an accomplished pianist and musician himself who previously booked the dueling piano players that perform every Friday and Saturday (and now Thursday night, too) at Treble Makers, formally introduced themselves to their customers on June 20.
โWeโre committed to making sure the food, service and entertainment meet and exceed your expectations,โ Jason said. โWe do have some menu changes coming up but first, weโre working as hard as we can to make sure you always enjoy your visit to TrebleMakers.โ
In the meantime, the restaurantโs cool robot server (below right) will still bring you the same delicious menu items (like the baked Imperial crab dip below left) many of you already know and love. And, donโt forget to try the new $8 lunch specials!ย
For more information about Treble Makers (6034 Wesley Grove Blvd.), including the new $8 lunch menu items, call (813) 406-4371 or visit TrebleMakersofWC.com.
