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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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Back to school will be different this fall
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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
Efforts are in high gear, as Pasco County Schools prepares for the coming 2020-2021 school year. Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning has said the district will announce its comprehensive plan for the upcoming school year on or before July 1. In light of continuing concerns over the spread of COVID-19, the district must take precautions it hasn’t had to take in previous years. In preparation for developing its plan, it has hosted focus groups, conducted a survey and used a tool called Thought Exchange, which drew participation from thousands of people. “You let us know what you thought and we listened,” Browning said, in a video posted on the school district’s website. “Several themes came through, loud and clear,” Browning said. “Many parents and staff expect and welcome a return to a traditional school setting in the fall. “You want a safe and healthy learning environment. “You want us to provide options because not everyone feels comfortable, returning to the school campus or to the workplace. “You want online learning to include more opportunities for students to interact directly with their teachers. “You want us to ensure that there are clear rules and procedures for when a child becomes sick and that those rules are enforced. You want more mental health resources for students and staff. And, you want to have opportunities to experience all of the things that make for a rewarding school experience, including all of the extracurricular activities that make school fun.”
See ENTERTAINMENT, page 11A
See SCHOOL, page 11A
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 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.