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Lowe’s, Marshalls bring new jobs By Michael Hinman mhinman@lakerlutznews.com
Plans for a home improvement store left for dead three years ago is now being resurrected as Lowe’s gets ready to finally come to Land O’ Lakes. Crews are now clearing trees and other foliage from a 42-acre tract of land on State Road 54 just east of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard where they expect to have a 152,000square-foot Lowe’s by winter, according to company spokeswoman Natalie Turner. The store will bring 125 jobs, and the hir-
ing process could begin later in the year. “We’re excited as all get-up,” said Dennis Esber, president of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, and owner of Point to Point Printing.“What’s happening is that people are starting to recognize that the Lutz and Land O’ Lakes area is a great area to be in.” The North Carolina company purchased the land between Winter Quarters Pasco RV Park and the Pasco County fire station there in 2005 for $2.7 million, and had hoped to See JOBS, page 12
MICHAEL HINMAN/STAFF PHOTO
Marshalls will open this summer with space at Village Lakes Shopping Center that used to be home for Walmart.
Hoedt works hard to keep local traditions alive
By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Phyllis Hoedt quietly goes about helping to preserve a sense of community that residents cherish in Lutz. Her activities on the evening of Dec. 17 offer a glimpse into the level of her involvement. It was then Hoedt was at the Christmas Card Lane celebration in downtown Lutz. The event featured over-sized Christmas cards made of plywood, representing local organizations and businesses. It also included a showcase of local talent. The celebration attracted hundreds, and was the last in a series of special events the Lutz Centennial Committee planned. After hanging out at Christmas Card Lane, Hoedt headed down U.S. 41 to Christmas House at the Old Lutz School.That free annual tradition draws friends and families to the historic school building to spend time together and enjoy the festive décor. Long before the crowds arrive at Christmas House, Hoedt and other volunteers had spent weeks decking out the schoolhouse, inside and out, for the holidays. On evenings the school is open to the public, Hoedt is there before spectators show up to get the coffee brewing and make sure
B.C. MANION/STAFF PHOTO
Phyllis Hoedt uses her time and energy to help keep traditions alive in Lutz that cherishes its small-town feel.
things are in order, said Shirley Simmons, one of Hoedt’s long-time friends and another committed community volunteer. In addition to those activities, Hoedt has been involved in the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club for 39 years. She and Simmons are co-directors of the annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Festival, sponsored by the woman’s club.The event, at Lake Park each December, includes hundreds of vendors and attracts crowds topping 100,000.
The Old Lutz School is another one of Hoedt’s passions. She was involved early on in efforts to prevent the old school from being torn down or being used as a storage building. She was a leading force in ensuring the Old Lutz School remained available for community use. The Hillsborough County School Board gave the building to the county, and The See HOEDT, page 12
Waterline project will slow Lutz traffic around U.S. 41
“It could not have worked out better.”
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
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Motorists heading south on U.S 41 through Lutz will notice that the right lane has been closed from just north of Crenshaw Lake Road to slightly south of Crystal Lake Road, as workers install a new 12-inch water pipe. Crews have started work on a $5.4 million Hillsborough County project that calls for laying 4.5 miles of pipeline to improve water reliability and quality for the Manors of Crystal Lake. The project also lays the groundwork for future connections to the county’s water system by other Lutz customers. Traffic will continue to flow through the community, but there will be fewer lanes while the pipeline is being installed, said Lloyd Horton, the county’s project manager. The entire project should be completed by early 2015, Horton said.
B.C. MANION/STAFF PHOTO
Segments of water pipe are awaiting installation in a project that will cause traffic disruption through Lutz as a lane is closed to accommodate the installation of a new 12inch waterline.
The road will be restored to a drivable condition and then the Florida Department of Transportation will do a resurfacing project on U.S. 41, which also will cause traffic disruptions. The state DOT’s resurfacing project on U.S. 41 is expected to begin around
October. The $12 million project will involve road resurfacing, drainage work, signal improvements and CSX rebuilding the railroad track crossing on U.S. 41, said FDOT spokeswoman Kris Carson. The county water project will use a looped system, giving Manors of Crystal Lakes residents a backup in the event of any disruptions, said county section manager Rick Kirby. The Manors of Crystal Lake already is a part of the county’s water system, but has been served by two wells.Those wells and a nearby chlorination plant will be shut down once the new waterline begins operation, according to the county’s website. The water flow also will be improved with the new line, bringing it up to the current standards for fire protection. The waterline project will be completed in three segments: See WATERLINE, page 12