There's no place like Home-March 25, 2020

There’s no place like in PASCO & NORTH HILLSBOROUGH

Tiny House Program Builds Opportunities for Area Students

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tiny house is opening doors to a world of opportunities for area students, thanks to a handson homebuilding initiative between a high school magnet program and the Sales & Marketing Council of the Tampa Bay Builders Association.

Students at the Center for Construction Technologies, a magnet school in St. Petersburg, work side-by-side with TBBA members, who mentor students and demonstrate construction trade skills.

“This program provides us with a tremendous opportunity to educate students about our industry, the joy of providing a home to a family and, of course, the many career opportunities in home construction,” says Scott Campbell, a former TBBA president.

The program was established in 2018 when TBBA members recognized the immense need to encourage and support careers in skilled trades for high school students and young adults.

“Students relate what they learn in the textbook to what they see during the field experience,” says Lincoln Yates, assistant principal of the magnet school. “They’re attentive and ask great questions.”

“The Tiny House Project is a great opportunity to help our local youth while also helping our industry,” says Michael Kramer, vice president at Sharp Design Studio Architecture,

which donated design plans for the program’s tiny house.

“Finding talent is always challenging, and anything we can do as an industry to promote jobs and provide proper training will set them up for success,” Kramer says. “This kind of engagement has the potential to lead to fulltime jobs for these students, and hopefully a full-fledged career.”

The Tiny House Project also benefits the local economy, says Jennifer

mentoring the 123 students participating in the program.

TBBA members donated over 80% of the supplies and labor, and the remaining materials were purchased through monetary donations.

The Laker/Lutz News was one of the TBBA members involved in the project from its inception, through the leadership of Terri Williamson, senior account manager for the newspaper. Williamson is the president elect of the Sales & Marketing Council, which presented a $10,500 check to help finance the Tiny House Project.

“The tiny house capstone Members of the Tampa Bay Builders project has allowed us to betAssociation helped build a tiny home ter prepare our students for with high school students to encourcollege, career and life, by age and support careers in skilled bringing student apprenticetrades. Helping paint the home is ship opportunities into our Terri Williamson (wearing blue) of The classroom. Students have Laker/Lutz News, and Lauren Morgan. had the opportunity to hear from the various trade professionals, work alongside Motsinger, executive vice president of them and gain valuable experience TBBA. and insights that would have other“We are providing an alternative wise not been possible,” says housing product that is sustainable, Assistant Principal Yates. portable and affordable, and when The tiny house will be showcased it’s all done will be enjoyed by home- at a future Suncoast Tiny House owners for years to come,” says Festival. Funds generated from the Motsinger. home’s sale will support the magnet Over the past seven months, the program for years to come.

For more information about this 28-foot custom tiny home was built

by Tampa Bay area skilled-trade pro- project, please visit TBBAtinyhouse.com, fessionals, interior designers and where you can see a full list of particisuppliers, while actively teaching and pating companies.

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Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is developing a downtown that includes four freestanding office buildings that will have a mix of retail and commercial uses.

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Pasco County Backs Downtown Avalon Park

he Avalon Park Group has overwhelming support and backing from the Pasco County Commission to create a brand new town center for the Wesley Chapel community.

Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is being planned as a mixeduse development on 215 acres located north of State Road 54, about three miles east of I-75. The plan includes four freestanding office buildings that will have a mix of retail and commercial uses.

The first phase is already under construction and, when completed, will have 75,000 square feet of commercial space within walking distance to residents living in the community’s single-family homes, townhomes and apartments.

“We are creating a real downtown with businesses offices, shops and restaurants, because we want to greatly reduce the need for our residents to drive outside their community to get to work, take kids

to school, shop and dine, and enjoy indoor and outdoor activities,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president for the Avalon Park Group. “And now, with the full support of Pasco County, downtown Wesley Chapel will become a reality within the next few years.”

In February, the Pasco County Commission unanimously voted to approve an incentive package totaling $33.5 million. The agreement outlines that in exchange, the Avalon Park Group will spend about $83.3 million to build roads, multi-story parking decks and transit-related infrastructure.

In all, Avalon Park Group is planning to spend more than $800 million to develop its Wesley Chapel community of homes and downtown center. In return, Pasco County has agreed to provide an annual rebate of the previous year’s property tax payments, which will be capped at $32 million. These county rebates represent 38% of the total cost of public improvements.

David Engel, manager of “Instead of building the county’s office of ecosubdivisions, we are nomic growth, spelled out building towns,” said Beat some specifics at a recent Kahli, president and CEO county commission meetof Avalon Park Group. ing.

“Having jobs within our “The typical buildings are community is the best four stories in height. way to resolve traffic conCommercial will occupy the gestion caused by daily first floor and three floors of commutes.” residential above it. There Kahli’s company alalso are five to six parking Beat Kahli ready has done a similar decks and four freestanding project — Avalon Park Class A office buildings,” Orlando — and is currentEngel said. ly developing Avalon Park Tavares Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will in- and Avalon Park Daytona Beach clude 2,695 residences, 165,000 using the same standards. square feet of Class A Office, and Commissioner Jack Mariano said 190,000 square feet of commercial he’s aware of Kahli’s “tremendous space, Engel said. “Fifty percent of success” in Orlando. the residential trip generation on the “I know you’re going to have it site will stay on the site, once the right here, as well. I’m glad you project is complete,” Engel said. picked Pasco County,” Mariano said.

The project is expected to generCommissioner Kathryn Starkey ate 1,065 full-time jobs and have a added, “This is cutting-edge plantotal economic output of $84.4 mil- ning, right here. Being able to live, lion, according to county work and play in the same neighbordocuments. hood is a great solution for sprawl.”

Pinecrest Academy Sends Out Acceptance Notices

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chool acceptance emails went out earlier this month to families who had applied to Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, the new K-6 charter school being built at the entrance to Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

“We are excited to be providing our high-performing school for all of our families. Thank you for applying for Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel and creating our inaugural Panther family,” said Principal Aimee Mielke, on the school’s Facebook page.

Mielke also announced that the school’s official website is now up at PinecrestWesleyChapel.com. “We’re LIVE and it is beautiful with lots of information,” she said.

The principal has been receiving lots of inquiries from parents — and these are some of the most asked questions: What are Pinecrest’s school hours?

8:15 a.m. - student drop-off and breakfast 8:30 a.m. - classes begin 2:50 p.m. - dismissal begins Are students required to wear uniforms?

Aerial photo of Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel.

Yes. We will be partnering with All Uniform Wear. All items, including jackets/sweaters, must be purchased through our uniform shop. Students also are required to wear black, closed-toe shoes.

When will we be notified if our child has been accepted?

The first acceptance emails were sent out Monday, March 9.

The new school will open this fall with 650 students in kindergarten through sixth grade, and plans to expand to serve up to eighth grade. It is

the first Pinecrest Academy in Tampa Bay. With 16 schools nationwide, Pinecrest Academy Inc., has made a name for itself in the education community. As Principal Mielke would say, “When you walk into a Pinecrest school, you know you’re in a Pinecrest school.”

Mielke is excited about the advanced programs Pinecrest will offer its students, including a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum, and a dual English/Spanish language program.

With the STEM program, Pinecrest

students will learn about new technologies, such as robotics, and will have fully functioning STEM labs in all grades — something most schools do not offer.

Pinecrest also will have self-contained classrooms for gifted students, where pacing will be faster and performance tests much more in-depth, to allow gifted students to flourish in their education.

“All Pinecrest schools have an emphasis on high-quality instruction.

We’ll continuously be monitoring the data so we know what each student needs, and have many different programs available to focus on the needs of the individual student,” says Mielke.

Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel is one of the most important elements of the goal to build a brand-new town in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, says Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for the Avalon Park Group.

Lerret noted that the developer’s goal is to have the very best school in the entire state.

“Our residents are ecstatic to have the option of sending their children to one of the top charter school operators in Florida,” said Lerret.

Avex Homes Model Is Open For Tour

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ue to continuing health and safety concerns surrounding the coronavirus, the Avalon Park Wesley Chapel clubhouse/amenities and Welcome Center are closed until further notice. Staff will continue to work remotely, and can be reached if you have questions at info@avalonparkwesleychapel.com, or by calling (813) 783-1515.

The Avex Homes model, at 5216 Autumn Ridge Drive, remains open with the following hours of operation: Sunday: Noon-6 p.m.

Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Beazer Homes model is open by appointment only, by calling (813) 422-5549 or emailing Ted.Burkhalter @ Beazer.com or melissa.davis@beazer.com.

NEW TOWNHOMES

With tree-lined streets that wind around sparkling lakes and flowerfilled parks, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel exemplifies small-town America. Avex Homes of Avalon combines this desirable small town charm with innovative floor plans and luxury features, which are now

available in its new townhome community.

Avex Home’s distinctive and affordable townhomes are solidly built with rich architectural detail and floor plans designed for easy family living. All townhomes offer a traditional focus on the front porch to promote its small town community feel.

Two townhomes are available now, each at 1,608 square feet, with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and a two-car garage. These homes are affordably priced at $233,144 and $234,190.

To schedule a tour of these homes, email todd@avexhomes.com.

Few communities offer the recreational activities found at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, thoughtfully created for residents of all ages. New in 2019 was an expansive second amenity center with a zero-entry pool, splash pad, spa and picnic area. Avalon Park families also enjoy a wide array of other amenities, including another swimming pool, tot lot, basketball courts, pocket parks with mini-libraries, dog park, and trails and walkways that will interconnect with its planned downtown.

A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION IN THE LAKER/LUTZ NEWS • 813-909-2800 • LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM

March 25, 2020

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We’re takingg the necessary precaution o s in advance of your visit, but if you would prefe e r a one-on-one appoin ntment, please calll our Online Sales Center # below and we will sche h dule an appointment in i your community of ch hoice.

813-252-1108 8813-252 13-252 13-252-1108 2-1108 / IICIHomes.com CIHomess.com Prices and offerings are subject to change. See a Sales Associate for details. Intervest Construction of Tampa, LLC 2660 Cypress Ridge Blvd, Suite 104, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 / CBC# 1262235

March 25, 2020

A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION IN THE LAKER/LUTZ NEWS • 813-909-2800 • LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM