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New interchange will ease congestion
By Kathy Steele ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Construction crews could be turning dirt within months on a new interchange at Interstate 75 and Overpass Road. A contractor is expected to be selected by August, and completion is expected about 2 ½ years after construction begins. The junction frequently is identified as a “gateway” into Pasco County, and a potential catalyst for new development in a largely rural area already experiencing a burst of growth.
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“It has a regional impact for Pasco,” said Bill Cronin, president and chief executive officer of the Pasco Economic Development Council.“Another exit opens into the county where we have potential for residential and commercial growth.That is another big gateway for Pasco County from the north but from the east, too.” On a more local scale, the new interchange is expected to ease traffic congestion, bring more connectivity to northeast Pasco cities, and give the county another evacuation route for hurricanes and other emergencies.
“The benefit to the county is just tremendous,” said Margaret Smith, Pasco’s director of engineering services.“We’re giving residential and commercial users a whole other entrance. It takes the volume of traffic off the two busiest interchanges.” Situated about halfway between I-75 interchanges with County Road 54 and State Road 52, traffic engineers estimate a reduction of about 13,000 vehicles per day at each interchange. It also opens up an east/west route that See INTERCHANGE, page 11A
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The new I-75/Overpass Road interchange is expected to significantly reduce the volume of vehicles per day here and at two other interchanges.
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The new I-75/Overpass Road interchange will feature a flyover.
In this rendering, cars are eastbound as they approach the I-75/Overpass Road interchange.
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By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
The restaurant also boasts a large selection of craft beers and an outdoor patio. “We’re really excited to have Main Event and Cigars International within walking distance. We want to have a partnership together.” Patituce grew up in Florida. He helped open another Rock & Brews in Kissimmee. The Wesley Chapel location will be the fourth restaurant in Florida. Main Event is an approximately 49,000square-foot venue that will feature 22
When Brian Butler moved to Lutz roughly 14 years ago, he figured he would have plenty of time to assume a meaningful role at a Tampa Bay company, play golf and go fishing. It didn’t quite work out that way. The opportunities the decorated retired U.S. Army officer had envisioned didn’t materialize. “I thought I had a lot to offer this community. And, I was humbled in a way that I just couldn’t believe,” Butler said. So, when he couldn’t find the Brian Butler right fit, he created his own company. Vistra Communications, LLC started small, with Butler as its sole employee, working out of his Lutz home. Over time, the president and CEO has led a company that has grown to include 100 team members. The company provides marketing, communications and consulting services to corporations, small businesses, nonprofits, and federal, state and local governments. Butler recently shared some of his expertise and experiences through a virtual Zoom meeting with members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce. “You know, starting and running a small business is a challenge.You all know that,” Butler said. It’s particularly challenging now, he said. “This is a tough environment.This hasn’t been seen in our country in a long, long time,” Butler said.“Not just the COVID, but you look at the civil unrest.You look at the political unrest.You add all of those things in, it just adds to a very, very tough business
See ENTERTAINMENT, page 11A
See CEO, page 11A
B.C. MANION
Main Event is an approximately 49,000-square-foot venue that will feature 22 bowling lanes, billiards, laser tag, gravity ropes, shuffleboard, games and two banquet rooms.
More entertainment, restaurants coming soon By Kathy Steele
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INSIDE, PAGE 1B
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Cypress Creek Town Center is adding a rock-themed, family restaurant; a game and entertainment venue; and a cigar emporium to its retail roster. Rock & Brews, Main Event and Cigars International are under construction on the south side of State Road 56, on stand-alone parcels adjacent to Tampa Premium Outlets. Rock & Brews general manager Tim Patituce anticipates an October opening. COVID-19 likely will determine the date. “With everything going on, you can’t pull the trigger on hiring until we get to 100% capacity without 6-foot separation.We want to make sure you get the whole Rock & Brews experience,” the general manager said. Patituce emphasizes that despite the “Rock” in the name, this is a family friendly restaurant. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, members of KISS, a 1970s rock group, are “corporation ambassadors,” Patituce said. The décor features rock n’ roll posters. Televisions play music videos. And, diners can play shuffleboard, corn hole and foosball. The menu includes burgers, pizzas and creative salads — made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients.
Rock & Brews, a family restaurant, is likely to open in October, according to the restaurant’s general manager.