Get ready to celebrate the holiday season with us at Avalon Park’s most anticipated event! Mark your calendars for December 14th, from 5 to 9 p.m., for an unforgettable evening filled with family fun and festive cheer. The night will end with a spectacular fireworks display at 9 p.m.
This year, we’re transforming Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel into a winter wonderland at 4424 Friendly Way. From visiting Santa and gliding down a real snow slide to festive face painting and holiday shopping, there’s something for everyone. Best of all, this event is free and open to the public!
For our fantastic Avalon Park residents, we’re offering a complimentary shuttle service from the Amenity Center on River Glen Blvd. straight to the heart of Downtown Avalon Park.
While you’re there, be sure to visit and support our growing community of commercial tenants, including ISI Elite Training, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, Dream Dental Studio, Prime Barbershop,
VetCheck Pet Urgent Care Center, Rita’s Italian Ice, Rudraksh Indian Restaurant, and Tallo Restaurant & Bar.
Visit their booths, learn more about their services, and support these exciting additions to Avalon Park.
Want to Get Involved?
Interested in becoming a vendor or sponsor? Visit avalonparkwesleychapel.com/avalonaglow for details.
Let’s light up the season together at Avalon Aglow!
Coffee with Beat: Celebrating Community and the Holidays in Avalon Park
Living in two worlds has become second nature to me. As the CEO of Avalon Park Group, my role takes me to business activities all over the globe. Yet, no matter where I go, my heart is deeply tied to Avalon Park—a community we have worked hard to nurture and grow for over the past several years.
When I first moved from Zurich, Switzerland, to Florida some 30 years ago, I missed the charming towns and villages I was accustomed to—places where you could truly live, learn, work, and play all in one community. Today, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is bringing that vision to life, and I could not be prouder of what we are building together.
With the first Downtown I Building now open, including residential apartments at The Flats, and businesses like Rita’s Italian Ice, ISI Wesley Chapel, Woof Gang Bakery, and Prime Barber, setting up shop, we are seeing the vibrant heart of this community come to life. Having everything within walking distance—a place to live, shop, dine, and connect—fosters an incredible sense of place and belonging. It is a privilege I do not take for granted, made possible by the dedication of so many local
PUBLISHER
Beat Kahli
EDITOR
Stephanie Lerret
MANAGING
EDITOR
Marielle Fernandez
ART DIRECTOR
Kenzie Farrish
business owners who work tirelessly to bring this vision to reality.
One of my favorite routines is exploring local restaurants and supporting the businesses that make Avalon Park special. This holiday season, I encourage you to do the same—whether it is catering for your family gatherings or holiday parties from our growing selection of restaurants or giving the gift of a local business with a gift card. Supporting small businesses not only spreads joy but strengthens the fabric of our community.
Our commitment to Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is steadfast, and the growth continues. With The Flats at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel now open, offering modern living spaces with easy access to all the amenities of downtown life, and the exciting future development of the next phase, this community is blossoming into the live, learn, work, and play town we envisioned. Lastly, don’t miss our annual holiday event, Avalon Aglow, on December 14th from 5–9 PM. Join us for an evening of real snow, photos with Santa, live entertainment, and festive activities for the entire family. It is a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays and the community we are building together.
Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and joyful holiday season. Thank you for being part of what makes Avalon Park Wesley Chapel a place we are all proud to call home.
LEARN
WORK
The Jobs and Economic Opportunities Committee Seeks New Volunteers
If you’d like to help grow Pasco County’s economy, we have the perfect opportunity for you! The Jobs and Economic Opportunities Committee (JEOC) – which oversees the use of the Jobs and Economic Opportunities Trust Fund (JEOTF) portion of Penny for Pasco – is looking for new volunteers.
Responsibilities of JEOC members include ensuring Penny for Pasco spending meets the requirements to promote projects creating new jobs and economic growth. We have two open seats: one available to any Pasco County resident and the other specifically designated for someone in the Finance or Banking industry. Applications are being accepted through December 23, 2024; return your application and resume to oeg@mypasco.net.
The Committee consists of up to nine members, appointed by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). Members represent diverse knowledge and expertise from the following areas:
Finance/Banking Agriculture
Real Estate Manufacturing Other Private Industries
The Committee meets, at minimum, on a quarterly basis and presents annual updates to the BCC. Selected members will serve a two-year term, from March 2025 to March 2027.
Penny for Pasco is a three-time, voter-approved local government infrastructure surtax, first passed in 2004, to pay for county, city and School District improvements. The JEOTF portion from the renewal adopted in 2015 is estimated to generate more than $70 million in revenue to be used for target industry job creation and economic development projects.
For more information about the Jobs and Economic Opportunities Committee, including members, please visit: JEOC Information & Members.
https://www.pascocountyfl.net/_T18_R335.php
Pasco County Building Construction Services Is Here to Help Post Hurricane Season
If the recent hurricanes caused major damage to your home and you live in a flood zone, there’s a chance you’ll have to rebuild to new flood safety standards. Figuring out how to do this and understanding why, can seem overwhelming, and Pasco County Building Construction Services (BCS) is here to help.
Pasco is responsible for determining if homes in flood zones are substantially damaged You can learn more about how we make that determination HERE, and our BCS team will send you a letter letting you know. If your letter says your home is substantially damaged, you have 90 days to decide whether to rebuild, demolish or appeal the decision. We’ve broken down the steps into a FLOW CHART to help you navigate the process: mypas.co/ DamageFlowChart
All homes with substantial damage MUST be elevated, rebuilt to new flood safety standards or demolished for our community to be able to keep National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) coverage and maintain other federal benefits.
NFIP rules are designed to reduce repetitive flood losses covered by taxpayer dollars while helping communities be more resilient. The Federal Emergency Management Agency performs audits to ensure compliance. If we don’t follow the process, Pasco risks:
- Probation or suspension from the NFIP
- Loss of access to federally regulated mortgages
- Ineligibility for federal grants, funding and recovery
assistance programs
In addition to complying with flood zone rebuilding rules, you must have the proper permits and should hire a licensed contractor before beginning repairs. Our permitting techs are ready to help you navigate the recovery process. Visit mypas.co/BuildingConstruction to find an office near you.
For more information about rebuilding in a flood zone, visit our Substantial Improvement and Damage webpage: mypas.co/47Rq9bY
