Apartments & Improvements At S.R. 56/Meadow Pointe Blvd. Under Construction

Construction has begun at the intersection of Meadow Pointe Blvd. & S.R. 56. The project will widen & add much-needed turn lanes at the often-crowded intersection. (Photo by Joel Provenzano) 

Meadow Pointe Blvd. is once again seeing significant construction activity, with a new apartment community going up just south of S.R. 56, and some much-needed improvements coming to the north-south thoroughfare’s intersection with S.R. 56. 

We previously told you about the new Pasco County medical magnet high school on Meadow Pointe Blvd. north of 56. But now, there is another new rental apartment complex under construction on Meadow Pointe Blvd., at the southwest corner of its intersection with 56, next to the Claridge Place Townhomes. 

The new 384-unit apartment community from Aventon Companies will be called Aventon Wesley Chapel (rendering below) and will be something of a sister development to Aventon Meadows, which opened in 2024 at the north end of Meadow Pointe Blvd. and C.R. 54. 

With two major regional offices in Florida, Aventon has developed a considerable number of multifamily communities throughout the state. But, if you were confused by the sign out front, so were we. Even though the sign currently says Aventon Meadow Pointe II, the property is technically within the Meadow Pointe III boundary, as we verified by looking at the historic MPUD maps for the area — and will actually be called Aventon Wesley Chapel. 

Whatever its name will be, the project is being built on approximately 19.47 acres, for which Aventon Companies paid $16.25 million in June, after the site plan had already been finalized and permits secured with Pasco County. Construction began in July, and leasing is currently expected to begin in early 2028. 

The community will consist of six multi-story, garden-style residential buildings arranged around a central pond, which will feature a fitness trail around it. Aventon WC will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 743 sq. ft. to 1,389 sq. ft. The exact same size floor plans are currently being offered at Aventon Meadows. 

As for what residents can expect to pay, current advertised rents at Aventon Meadows range from approximately $1,660-$2,522 per month for the same floor plans, so prices at Aventon Wesley Chapel could potentially be in a similar range when leasing begins. However, rents for the new community have not yet been announced. 

The largest floor plan offers generously sized guest bedrooms and plenty of storage, including walk-in closets in each bedroom, two large hall closets and a separate pantry for the kitchen. 

Even the one-bedroom floor plan offers a large kitchen with an island that is almost the same size as the kitchen in the 3-bedroom plan. 

Aventon Wesley Chapel also will include a resort-style swimming pool, 24-hour fitness center, pet spa, dog park, two pickleball courts and a clubhouse with coworking and gathering spaces. Aventon’s website also lists a remote-working lounge and package storage among the planned amenities. 

Aventon operates as a vertically integrated real estate company; overseeing land purchases, site development, construction and property management across its apartment portfolio. That allows the company to manage projects through each stage of development, from initial acquisition through construction and long-term operation. 

Perhaps the biggest news, however, is that the new apartment project also will require widening Meadow Pointe Blvd. to provide a northbound left-turn lane and a southbound right-turn lane into the new community. 

Meadow Pointe Blvd. Left Turn Lane 

In addition to the widening being done on Meadow Pointe Blvd. by the apartment development, a much-needed second northbound left-turn lane is being constructed right now by the Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) at the traffic signal with S.R. 56 as part of the department’s resurfacing project. The broader FDOT project includes resurfacing S.R. 56 from Bruce B. Downs Blvd. to Meadow Pointe Blvd., along with safety, drainage and signal improvements. 

In addition to the new northbound turn lane at Meadow Pointe Blvd., the project will add dual left-turn lanes in both the westbound and eastbound directions of S.R. 56, using new striping in the existing painted gore areas. 

These improvements should address a long-term issue at the intersection, where vehicles turning left during the morning and afternoon peaks have frequently stacked back into the adjacent through lanes. 

The FDOT project is a relatively minor roadway improvement, but it could have a noticeable impact for anyone who regularly uses the Meadow Pointe Blvd. and S.R. 56 intersection. 

And, with the current speed of construction, we would not be surprised if all of the resurfacing, minor widening and signal work is completed before the end of the year, or shortly after — as well as the equally important new signal a little further west on S.R. 56 at Lajuana Blvd., in front of Cooper’s Hawk. 

Drivers Rejoice! New Tampa Blvd. Repaving To Finally Begin Soon

The Google Map above has been modified by Neighborhood News to show where the repaving of New Tampa Blvd. is planned to go.

Drivers can expect a smoother ride on New Tampa Blvd. in West Meadows in just a few months, as Tampa is finally set to begin work on improving the primary east-west thoroughfare connecting all of the subdivisions in the community. Stretching 1.8 miles from Meadow Pine Dr. (just east of the Gateway Bridge connecting Tampa Palms and West Meadows; see map) to Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., the project will address concerns that locals have raised about the condition of the roadway. 

Once construction has been completed, West Meadows residents can expect a number of upgrades along New Tampa Blvd. Planned improvements include fresh pavement, upgraded crosswalks, enhanced roadway signage and new ADA-compliant curb ramps designed to improve accessibility for pedestrians. The contracted cost of the project is about $2.5 million. 

For many residents, the improvements cannot come soon enough, as drivers have complained about deteriorating pavement, potholes and general wear and tear that have made travel less comfortable and, at times, more hazardous. 

The project represents a significant investment in one of the area’s most heavily traveled local roadways, shepherded by outgoing District 7 Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera (who is running in Nov. to replace term-limited Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell in District 67). Viera says that New Tampa Blvd. was one of the last few items he wanted to cross off his priorities list before leaving City Council. 

“I only have a few things I still want to get done and this repaving project was one of them,” Viera says. “I have been hearing about this road for years from my constituents and this is a basic quality of life issue for New Tampa. Mobility is a huge issue for zip code 33647. We live with it every day.” 

The saga of improving New Tampa Blvd. is a long one, as what seemed like a straightforward road project became a years-long advocacy effort paved with funding issues and administrative delays. There was once a belief that the road would have been repaved with funds raised following the passage of the 2018 All for Transportation ballot referendum for Hillsborough County. The measure, approved by voters, was intended to provide billions of dollars over several decades for transportation improvements throughout the county, including road resurfacing, transit projects and safety enhancements. 

That opportunity disappeared when the courts, following legal challenges led by former Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy White, scrapped the tax and deemed it unconstitutional. The county already had collected $570 million in escrow while the referendum played out in the courts. Following the ruling, the fate of that money was left up to the Florida Legislature, which ultimately only allocated about half of those funds for local projects to be selected by county officials. Unfortunately, the New Tampa Blvd. project was not among those selected. The remainder of the money went to a refund program for residents, a countywide sales tax holiday and attorneys’ fees. 

While the city was able to later fully fund the project, Neighborhood News informed our readers in our Apr. 21 issue that the start of the project had been delayed until June or July of this year. At issue was a processing delay of the approved contract by the City Council, according to a memo sent by the city’s engineering department to Councilman Viera’s office. When the city announced in early June that the project would move forward, Viera said he was relieved it finally got across the finish line. 

“When you represent ‘the Alaska of Tampa’ on City Council, you have to bang the desk a little harder to get projects done. I did that with this and I am glad it got done.” 

New Tampa Blvd. is now another win for Viera to promoter as he heads out on the campaign trail, while West Meadows commuters can now spend more time listening to their favorite podcasts instead of avoiding potholes. 

New Construction Surrounds Ashton Oaks On Both Sides

Harmon Ashton Oaks’ ‘Build-To-Rent’ Townhomes & Two Ridges Rd. Will Each Flank Established Community 

The Google map above has been modified by Neighborhood News to show the locations of the portion of Two Ridges Rd. now under construction (upper Two Ridges Rd. label) & Harmon Ashton Oaks. 

 Development to the left, development to the right. It doesn’t take a genius to understand that Wesley Chapel is one hot area, quickly being shaped by one project after another, and the residents of the Ashton Oaks community off C.R. 54/Wesley Chapel Blvd. are seeing that first-hand — as their small neighborhood of 203 single-family homes and 70 villas is literally being surrounded on all sides by new construction. 

About 1.5 miles east of Meadow Pointe Blvd. along C.R. 54 (which was called S.R. 54 until recently, when Pasco County took over the responsibility for the road from the state), two major projects are currently moving full steam ahead, flanking the established Ashton Oaks neighborhood and bringing both long-awaited infrastructure improvements and new residential growth to the area. 

Two Ridges Rd. Extension Moving In The Right Direction 

The first project will likely be something of a major relief for many Ashton Oaks residents, who have dealt with increasing cut-through traffic ever since the first leg of Two Ridges Rd. (see map) opened in early 2025. 

That initial 1.3-mile segment connected S.R. 56 to Grecko Dr., which created a temporary route between C.R. 54 and S.R. 56 for drivers “in the know.” While some residents viewed the shortcut as an unexpected traffic burden, the corridor itself was always envisioned by county planners, long before the first homes in Ashton Oaks were ever built. 

Looking south at the intersection of River Glen Blvd. & the new portion of Two Ridges Rd. (Photos by Joel Provenzano) 

Now, the northern second leg of Two Ridges Rd. — approximately 0.7 miles in length — is rapidly taking shape (photo right). The extension will run north to the existing traffic signal at C.R. 54 and River Glen Blvd., across 54 from the main entrance to Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. 

Crews are currently performing grading, drainage and landscaping work across the corridor, steadily preparing the site for curbs, paving and final roadway construction. 

At the current pace, locals can likely expect the Two Ridges Rd. construction to be near or fully completed by the end of 2026. 

Once finished, the new extension will become the southern leg of the existing C.R. 54/ River Glen Blvd. intersection, opening access to future development opportunities on the southwest corner of the intersection, including a planned commercial parcel and the anticipated second phase of the nearby Valencia Ridge 55+ community (again, see map). 

According to county records, GL Homes — the developer of Valencia Ridge — is funding and constructing the extension of Two Ridges Rd. using developer dollars. 

Beyond local traffic improvements, the project also represents another major step toward the completion of a larger regional north-south corridor first detailed in our “…Road with (Too) Many Names?!” article nearly two years ago. 

That corridor, pieced together through multiple separately named roadway segments, is now quickly becoming reality: 

• 100% of the K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. segment in New Tampa is currently under construction 

• Approximately 90% of the Wyndfields South segment is under construction 

• Roughly 50% of Vida’s Way has already been completed (with the other 50% to start along with a future phase) 

However, one major section of this road with too many names will no longer move forward. As we reported last year, the entire Kirkland Ranch portion of the corridor was sold to the state for conservation purposes, removing that segment from future roadway plans. 

Most of the roadway sections are being constructed privately by developers as part of their associated communities. The only publicly funded portion currently planned is the southernmost 10% of Wyndfields South, the section along the west side of Union Park Charter Academy, which is slated for completion by Pasco County. 

Harmon Ashton Oaks Brings Build-To-Rent Trend To C.R. 54 

The second major project under way, to the east of Ashton Oaks, is Harmon Ashton Oaks (see map above & photos below), the build-to-rent townhome community rising on the southeast corner of C.R. 54 and Ashton Oaks Blvd. 

The signage for Harmon Ashton Oaks is visible from C.R. 54.

The 28-acre development will feature direct access from both roadways and represents another example of a rapidly growing housing trend across the Tampa Bay region: professionally managed rental home and townhome communities. 

The project is being developed by DRB Group Florida in partnership with Crescent Communities, which has previously developed several apartment communities throughout Florida, including the well-rated Novel Beach Park overlooking Tampa Bay in the Westshore area of Tampa. 

However, Harmon Ashton Oaks appears to be Crescent Communities’ first single-family-style rental community in Florida, despite the company already operating similar Harmon-branded communities in North and South Carolina, Texas and Arizona. 

Unlike traditional apartments, build-to-rent communities are designed to offer many of the conveniences of apartment living while providing features more commonly associated with single-family homes. 

That includes attached garages, private ground-floor patios opening onto lawns, larger floorplans, and increased privacy — all while still offering residents on-site leasing offices, professional property management and lease flexibility. 

The concept has become increasingly popular in Wesley Chapel in recent years, joining communities such as Vireo Wesley Chapel in Meadow Pointe III and Skymor Wesley Chapel off the end of Caroline Dr. 

According to the developer’s website: 

“Designed to blend the freedom of renting with the comfort and privacy of single-family living, Harmon Ashton Oaks will feature 115 thoughtfully designed 3- and 4-bedroom, 2-story townhomes averaging more than 1,800 sq. ft. Each residence will include modern finishes, spacious interiors, private yards and 2-car garages.” 

The developer’s rendering of the Harmon Ashton Oaks build-to-rent townhome community.

Plans for the community also include a resort-style pool, leasing office, amenity center and an adjacent 10,000-sq.-ft. open lawn and play area. Notably, every unit in the development is expected to include a two-car garage — an uncommon feature for rental communities. 

Harmon Ashton Oaks is currently expected to welcome its first residents in early 2027. 

Interestingly, while promotional materials for the project reference a future dog park, we were unable to locate that feature on the approved site plans or amenity drawings submitted for the development. 

Caught In The Middle 

Whether it’s new roads, new rooftops, or entirely new ways of living, the area surrounding Ashton Oaks is rapidly transforming, as Wesley Chapel’s growth engine continues pushing eastward along CR 54. 

While Ashton Oaks itself may not be the focus of the development boom, this established neighborhood now finds itself directly between two major projects that reflect the area’s continued evolution — one aimed at improving regional connectivity, the other introducing another modern housing concept to one of Pasco’s fastest-growing corridors. 

And with construction activity accelerating on both sides of the community, residents are getting a front-row seat to just how quickly Wesley Chapel continues to change.

Wesley Chapel 2026 — Saddlebrook, Fire Station #2, Pinecrest Academy H.S. & More!

Saddlebrook Resort (Photos by Charmaine George)

If you were thinking there couldn’t possibly be more “stuff ” coming to Wesley Chapel this year (or at least by early 2027), think again. 

Among the projects that are well underway but that we don’t have any kind of timelines for include: 

• The completion of Mast Capital’s $92 million improvements to Saddlebrook Resort (above). We showed you the improvements that have already been completed in our last couple of issues, but there is still plenty more to come. 

Since the Brew coffee shop and Rare 1981 restaurant opened, the Palm House Grill out by the resort’s revamped Superpool also recently opened. We’ll show you pictures of the Palm House’s food and beverages next issue. We also were told that all 27 holes of Saddlebrook’s golf courses also are open. 

Still to come this year? The Sports Tavern off the resort’s lobby and the Saddlebrook National private club for members only. We’ll update you about all of these improvements in future issues. 

Pinecrest Academy High School 
Here & There, This & That… 

Avalon Park — In addition to Phase 2 of Avalon Park’s downtown expected to begin building, Avalon Park Blvd., connecting the community’s single-family subdivisions with the downtown area, could be completed any day now and may even be open as you’re receiving this issue. 

Pasco Fire Rescue Station No. 2 

In addition, although the existing buildings at the Pinecrest Academy charter school are already serving kids in grades K-11, the separate, new Pinecrest Academy High School will open to grades 9-12 for the 2026-27 year, which will allow kids in Pinecrest Academy’s middle school (Grades 6-8) to have their own building. 

Pasco Fire Rescue Station No. 2 — The much-needed new fire station on S.R. 54, less than a mile east of the new AdventHealth Meadow Pointe Emergency Room, should be ready to open before the end of this year. 

New Walmart (Morris Bridge Rd @ S.R. 56) 

New Walmart — Located southwest of the intersection of Morris Bridge Rd. and S.R. 56, Wesley Chapel’s second Walmart store hasn’t broken ground yet, so it’s possible that it may not be completed by the end of 2026, but it should at least begin building this year. 

Two Rivers Updates — Even though Two Rivers is all technically located in Zephyrhills (with a portion in Thonotosassa south of the Pasco-Hillsborough county line), the private club to be called The Landing at Two Rivers is well under way and could be completed before the end of 2026. We have no further updates on the planned Peak Surf Park in Two Rivers, but will try to update that story in an upcoming issue. — GN 

The Landing at Two Rivers

Wesley Chapel 2026 — New Light At Overpass Rd. & Epperson Blvd. Just The Beginning

The new traffic signal at the intersection of Overpass Rd. & Epperson Blvd. has replaced the former four-way stop. (Photos by Joel Provenzano) 

Residents and commuters traveling through the Epperson community are beginning to see long-anticipated improvements finally taking shape along Overpass Rd., the main east–west corridor connecting Epperson Blvd. to Curley Rd. 

Construction is currently under way to widen this short, but critical stretch of roadway, a project that aims to significantly improve traffic flow, safety, and daily travel times for the growing northern Wesley Chapel area. 

When finished, the work being completed by Epperson developer Metro Development Group will allow this portion of Overpass Rd. to transition from its current two-lane divided configuration to a four-lane divided roadway, with an additional through lane added in each direction. 

This expansion reflects the rapid growth of the Epperson community and surrounding areas and the increasing traffic volumes, especially during peak morning and afternoon hours. 

One of the most impactful changes is occurring at the signalized intersection of Overpass Rd. and Curley Rd. Additional eastbound left-turn lanes are being added so that two eastbound through lanes will be able to continue straight through the intersection. 

This improvement will align the roadway configuration with the existing layout on the opposite side of Curley Rd. in the Watergrass development, eliminating a common bottleneck that has caused backups during busy times of day. 

Additional turn & through lanes are being added at the intersection of Overpass Rd. & Curley Rd. 

In conjunction with the widening project, a new traffic signal has been installed at Overpass Rd. and Epperson Blvd., replacing the former four-way stop located in front of the entrance to the Epperson lagoon. This signalization is expected to enhance safety and improve traffic operations at one of the community’s most active entrances, benefiting residents, visitors, pedestrians and bicyclists alike. 

Perhaps the most welcome news for daily commuters is what comes next. Once construction has been completed, the existing eastbound right-turn-only lane along Overpass Rd. (approaching the new signal) will be re-striped and converted into an additional through lane. 

This change will allow traffic to move more efficiently eastbound, particularly during peak travel hours, and should substantially reduce the delays that drivers have been experiencing. 

While construction can, of course, be just as inconvenient, these improvements represent a major investment in the area’s transportation infrastructure — facilitated with private funds instead of taxpayer dollars. 

The expanded roadway, improved intersections and upgraded signalization are designed to support continued growth while making everyday travel smoother and safer. 

Motorists are encouraged to remain patient during the construction, follow posted signage and exercise caution while crews complete the work. Although we don’t know exactly when the work is expected to be completed, it will be in 2026, so residents can look forward to a more efficient and commuter-friendly drive through the heart of their Epperson community soon.