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WESLEY CHAPEL/NEW TAMPA 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.
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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
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The Liberty Wizards, a fun-loving exhibition basketball team, will play a game at Liberty Middle School to raise funds for the PTSA.
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Liberty Middle School faces Wizards in fundraiser
By B.C. Manion
A/C LICENSE #CAC1816647
B
On the ball:
Harlem Wizards, a touring exhibition basketball team, for a game on Feb. 17. Like the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, the Wizards spend as much time joking around as they do jump shots. Their games are designed to entertain the crowd, make the audience laugh and provide a unique fundraising opportunity at the same time. Auker thought the Wizards game would work well for the school since the children really enjoy an annual contest played by the school’s teachers. In this match-up, the Wizards will play a By Michael Murillo families for money. collection of Liberty teachers and teachers mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com Instead, they’re challenging a profession- from other schools, in addition to members al basketball team on the court. of local churches, youth groups and other When the Liberty Middle School Parent “This year we just wanted to try some- organizations. Teacher Student Association decided to raise thing new,” said PTSA president Melissa While the game is all in good fun, they money this year, they could have chosen to Auker. But they’re not suiting up to start See WIZARDS, page7A sell candy, or wrapping paper, or simply ask new basketball careers. They’re facing the
Notifications went out last week to parents of students who have been accepted for the inaugural year of Sanders Memorial Elementary STEAM Magnet School. Sanders’ roots in Land O’ Lakes date back to 1948. The school was closed for a few years, pending reconstruction, but the crash of the housing market stalled that redevelopment. In August, the school now made up of a combination of new structures and redeveloped buildings will open as Pasco County’s first magnet program. It will focus on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. Sanders received 1,690 applications from across See SANDERS, page7A
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.