The Laker-East Pasco-April 6, 2016

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The LAKER

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EAST PASCO EDITION

LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM

APRIL 6, 2016

Façade grants available in Zephyrhills By Kevin Weiss

kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

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Some commercial buildings in Zephyrhills are about to become more attractive. The Zephyrhills City Council, on March 28, approved the Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency’s Matching Façade Rehabilitation Grant Program. The $10,000 grant aims to encourage the restoration and preservation of commercial buildings within the CRA district — a 520acre defined district that essentially encompasses the center spine of the city, generally between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street. The program offers up to a maximum of $2,500 in grant money, but the applicant must spend at least twice the amount of the grant. The program’s goal is to encourage complete rehabilitation of the structures. The funds can be used for specific improvements, including a new coat of paint, awnings, doors, windows, exterior lighting and approved siding. The one-time grant is “first come, first served.” The grant is part of an effort to eliminate “blighting influences and further deterioration of commercial properties within the CRA district,” according to program documents. “The CRA’s job is to increase the value of the properties, and therefore, the taxable value,” said Gail Hamilton, CRA director for the city of Zephyrhills. “In looking at the buildings...it’s going to be city staff that’s going to be doing this, not just CRA staff, but also the building department, as well as the planning department,” she added. To be eligible for the grant, all property

Matching Façade Rehabilitation Grant Program WHAT: A grant program earmarking $10,000 to be used to stimulate façade rehabilitation and preservation of commercial buildings. Grants of up to $2,500 are permitted, but applicants must spend at least twice the amount of the grant they receive. For instance, someone spending $1,000 could receive a grant of $500. ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS: New paint job, addition or replacement of awnings, traditional windows, door replacements and exterior lighting. INELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS: Interior improvements, electrical work (except as related to signage or exterior lighting), roof and chimney repairs, and installation of aluminum or vinyl siding. COURTESY OF GAIL HAMILTON

taxes have to be current. Funds will not be provided to a property that has outstanding tax liens, Hamilton said. The CRA director also noted that nonprofits are not eligible to receive funding. “This is tax dollars, so the CRA has to know you’ve done the work, and once the work has been done, and you prove to the city that you’ve paid the bill in full, then we will reimburse you,” she said. Hamilton said the grant is not to be used for building maintenance, such as interior improvements, electrical work (unless related to signage or exterior lighting), roof and chimney repairs, or the installation of aluminum or vinyl siding. “The building must be structurally sound,” Hamilton said, adding the properties must meet the minimum building and life

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Commercial businesses located within the CRA district are eligible for the Matching Façade Grant Program. The CRA district is a 520-acre defined district that essentially encompasses the center spine of the city, generally between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street.

safety codes.“We’re looking at the façade of the building — not if its roof is good. If your roof isn’t structurally sound, then you have a whole lot more problems than just the façade. “If next year, you decide you don’t like the awning that you put up this year, you can’t come back to the CRA and ask for another grant,” she added. See GRANTS, page 11A

Finding music within life’s difficulties

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B.C. MANION/STAFF PHOTO

Eighteen-year-old James Williams is a Florida finalist in the 2016 VSA Florida Young Soloist Competition. He now will compete for international honors. Shown here, he is playing on the grand piano in the lobby at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

INSIDE, PAGE 1B

See MUSIC, page 11A

The Shops at Wiregrass is adding stores By Kathy Steele

ksteele@lakerlutznews.com

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Playing classical music is not the easiest feat — even when you’ve had formal training and are adept at reading sheet music. For James Williams, it is even more challenging. Not only does he lack formal training, but he also has had to overcome obstacles caused by his autism, a condition he was diagnosed with at age 3. The now 18-year-old, who originally hails from London, said he began teaching himself to play piano when he was attending Weightman Middle School, in Wesley Chapel. He had a simple motive: He wanted to win the school’s talent show. And, he did. Since then, he has continued teaching himself and recently he was named one of the state’s three top soloists in the ninth annual 2016 VSA Florida Young Soloist Competition. Winning that contest means that he’s representing Florida in the VSA International Competition in Washington D.C., later this year. The other two Florida finalists in the competition are Lyudmilla Fuentes, from Polk County, and Jacqueline Blanche, from Charlotte County. The state finalists were selected through

The Shops at Wiregrass is adding fresh faces to its retail lineup. By the end of fall, the outdoor mall will host the grand openings of seven new stores. The first three shops, Lola Perfume, Soleciety Sneaker Boutique, and 3D Musketeers Printing, already are open. VisionWorks, VomFASS Oils, Vinegars, Spirits & Wines, Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop, and Irish 31 will arrive in the next months. “We’re continually working with our leasing department.We listen continually to our customers who tell us what they want,” said

Greg Lenners, general manager at The Shops at Wiregrass. “We try to have a little bit of everything.” The new shops are part of the routine of keeping a mall fresh and were planned ahead of the opening of Tampa Premium Outlets, Lenners said. “We have to be very strategic with what we put in,” Lenners said.That’s true for every mall, including Tampa Premium Outlets, he noted. Four outparcels at Wiregrass are still up for grabs, so additional announcements could happen this year, Lenners said. Lola Perfume features brand-name fragrances for men and women, at a shop near See WIREGRASS, page 11A

FILE PHOTO

The Shops at Wiregrass is adding to its retail lineup, in an effort to keep up-to-date with customer desires. The regional shopping mall is adding stores including Irish 31, Lola Perfume and Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop.


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