The LAKER
ee r F
LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
Auto Accident? Slip and Fall? FREE CONSULTATION
No Fees Or Costs Unless You Win HOLLIDAY KARATINOS LAW FIRM, P.L. HelpingInjuredPeople.com Call Attorney
JIM HOLLIDAY
LAND O’ LAKES/LUTZ EDITION
FEBRUARY 11, 2015
Tampa Premium Outlets taking shape By Kathy Steele ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Tampa Premium Outlets is no longer just wishes and speculation. There are still lots of questions, however, about what tenants will fill the 441,000 square feet of shopping space. Bulldozers are moving earth, and walls are going vertical on what has been a shopping destination in the making going back more than decade. Plans have changed through the years, but now an outlet center is on the horizon: Opening day is scheduled for late October, well in advance of the 2015 holiday season. Shopaholics, of course, are eager to see the center’s anticipated 100-plus retailers open their doors.
FRED BELLET/PHOTO
From the Interstate 75 off-ramp at State Road 56, motorists traveling west can get a glimpse of Tampa Premium Outlets, as the outlet center takes shape for its late-2015 opening.
Like other large enterprises, the outlet center also is expected to have some ripple effects on the local economy. Businesses that can provide accessory goods or services are likely to benefit. And, students at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch also could reap internships to help them in their studies or jobs to help cover their expenses. Simon Property Group, the mall’s developer, has estimated that the project will yield 300 to 500 construction jobs and as many as 800 retail jobs, once the outlet center opens. Hope Allen, executive director for the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of See OUTLETS, page7A
813-868-1887 “I Will Aggressively Fight To Protect Your Legal Rights” 18920 N. Dale Mabry Hwy Ste 101 Lutz, FL (Corner of Sunlake & Dale Mabry)
Walk-Ins Welcome
Get all your favorite local news stories online.
COURTESY OF ANDREA FRANK
Gertrude Godwin was known for being a strict disciplinarian, who was devoted to teaching. She’s shown here with her second-grade class at Sanders Memorial Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes.
lakerlutznews.com
Sanders Memorial Elementary: Past and Future By B.C. Manion
veloped buildings will open as Pasco County’s first magnet program. It will focus on science, technology, engiNotifications went out last week to par- neering, the arts and mathematics. Sanders received 1,690 applications from ents of students who have been accepted for the inaugural year of Sanders Memorial across Pasco County. The school will serve kindergarten through fifth grade and can acElementary STEAM Magnet School. Sanders’ roots in Land O’ Lakes date back commodate 762 students. While students streaming into the school to 1948. The school was closed for a few years, this fall will be greeted by the latest in techpending reconstruction, but the crash of the nology and new approaches to learning, the school’s history also will be honored housing market stalled that redevelopment. In August, the school now made up of a through a special display. Some people don’t need a special display combination of new structures and rede-
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
CALL TODAY FIXED TODAY! NEW LOOK
SAME GREAT SERVICE
to remind them how the school used to be. Andrea Macomber Frank is one of five grandchildren of Gertrude Godwin, who taught at Sanders for about five decades. “Of course, her children, our mother, aunt and uncle went there also,” said Frank, who now lives in Daytona Beach. Long-time residents of Land O’ Lakes likely recall her grandmother, who was known as a strict disciplinarian, said Frank, who was in the area during the holidays with her brothers, Bruce and Mike Macomber.
Lowe’s is hiring workers for new Land O’ Lakes store
Air Conditioning • Heating • Plumbing A/C LICENSE #CAC1816647 PLUMBING LIC. #CFC1428982
By Kathy Steele ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Winner 2012, 2013, 2014
CornerstonePros.com
813-949-4445
B INSIDE, PAGE 1B
See SANDERS, page7A
FRED BELLET/PHOTO
A pedestrian makes her way past the safety fence in front of the new Lowe’s store that will open in March.
Construction is down to the wire at the new Lowe’s Home Improvement warehouse on State Road 54, east of U.S. 41. Job training for new hires is in full swing and applications are being accepted online for up to 160 job openings anticipated by company officials. A grand opening is scheduled for April but a “soft” opening will happen sometime in March. “Everybody, everybody is asking ‘when are you going to open the doors?’” said Steve Petrone, Lowe’s pro services specialist. When the store does open area residents in Land O’ Lakes will have a hometown, one-stop Lowe’s warehouse for their do-it-yourself projects, Petrone said. The 152,000-square-foot store is across from the Village Lakes Shopping Center. It is Pasco County’s third Lowe’s location. The other stores are in Zephyrhills and New Port Richey. Lowe’s began accepting job ap-
plications in October. Some of the employees opening the new store worked at other Lowe’s locations and competed for openings because they wanted to work in Land O’ Lakes, closer to their homes, Petrone said. Those who are interested in applying should visit Lowe’s website, Careers.lowes.com, to find job postings and submit separate applications for each job the applicant would like to pursue. The job list changes, so repeat visits to the site are useful, Petrone said. Recent job listings were for delivery driver and seasonal inside garden customer service associate. Before it has its soft opening, Lowe’s will be making its local presence felt by being the principal sponsor for Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s 2015 Community Fun Day and Business Expo. The two-day event is free and open to the public. It will highlight businesses and service providers in See LOWEʼS, page7A