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Cities to have backup water By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
A project to link the water systems of Zephyrhills and Dade City is headed to construction, most likely by this summer. The Zephyrhills City Council, on May 10, approved a contract for about $1.7 million
with Suncoast Development of Pinellas County. Work can begin after the Florida Department of Transportation completes its resurfacing and trails project on U.S. 301, which could happen within the next month. Once underway, work on the water sys-
tems is expected to take about a month, said John Bostic, utilities director for the City of Zephyrhills. Last year, the cities of Zephyrhills and Dade City reached a 25-year interlocal agreement to link their water systems. The See WATER, page 11A
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Future residents and community leaders gather for the ribbon cutting of Hilltop Landings.
New housing project unveiled in Dade City You Do the Dishes
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By Kevin Weiss
kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
Local residents and community leaders gathered for a May 12 grand opening ceremony at Hilltop Landings apartments in Dade City, following 18 months of construction. The $15 million project serves as a replacement for Dade Oaks, a 38-year-old apartment complex that was built at the bottom of a drainage basin, forcing residents
to regularly deal with flooding. Those residents get first dibs on Hilltop Landings, located about a mile away from Dade Oaks, at 15641 14th St. Designed and constructed by Gorman & Company Inc., the new complex consists of 69 modern, energy-efficient units, serving the needs of low-income families in Pasco County. Sitting on 13 acres, the development includes a playground, community center and community gardens, all of which are well-lit
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Hilltop Landings features 69 modern, energy-efficient units. The project had a $15 million price tag.
Hilltop Landings Hilltop Landings sits on 13 acres. It has a number of amenities, including on-site management, on-site social services, washers and dryers, a playground, a community center, a community garden, and security cameras and lighting. It has one- to fourbedroom apartments and duplexes.
and monitored with security cameras. Pasco County pledged $2 million for the project, with the remaining funds coming from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, First Housing, Boston Capital and RBC Capital Markets. “It’s been a long struggle. It does my heart really well to see what we’ve accomplished here,” Pasco County Housing Authority Chairman David Lambert said at the ceremony.“It’s a far cry from three years ago when we came out and we started working on this complex. It took a lot of people...and we set out on a mission to replace or rehab all of our housing stock.” Lambert was particularly thankful for HUD’s involvement in helping to facilitate the new development, along with its overall partnership with the housing authority. “They provide a lot of funding...for some of our most underserved areas,” Lambert said. “We try to transition our folks out of public housing. Home ownership is one of the great American dreams, and HUD is a great provider and a great beacon for us.” Ellis Henry, director of the state HUD ofSee HOUSING, page 11A
Tampa Bay Express gaining favor in Pasco By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
A project to build express toll lanes on interstate highways, known as the Tampa Bay Express, has picked up an endorsement from the Pasco County Commission. Commissioners voted 4-1 on May 10 to send a letter to the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization urging a favorable vote on the project. The planning organization is scheduled for a June 22 vote on a project that has gained wide support in Pasco as a solution to commuter gridlock. Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano voted no. He cited concerns about the increasing reliance on toll roads to generate revenues. He did approve of the potential for rapid bus service included in TBX. “All the toll roads in the world don’t necessarily help your traffic,” he said. The Hillsborough MPO’s decision will determine if the project goes forward as a
transportation priority. State highway officials peg the initial construction costs at about $3.3 billion. Some state estimates put the costs at as much as $6 billion. “This is very, very important for the residents of Pasco County,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.“We think about quality of life, especially for residents who commute back and forth to Hillsborough County and Pinellas County on a daily basis.” For some, commuting times can be more than two hours a day, Moore said.“If we save 30 to 45 minutes for them, just think about the increased quality of life, the time they will spend with family and friends, not on the road.” In recent weeks, the Pasco Economic Development Council and The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce also have come out in favor of the TBX. The Pasco MPO added its voice to the chorus on May 12 by approving a resolution
in favor of TBX. Outside of Pasco, the TBX has been a divisive issue for months. Some Tampa city leaders, including Mayor Bob Buckhorn, are strongly in favor. But, community activists in Tampa’s historic neighborhoods of V.M. Ybor, Ybor City, Tampa Heights and Seminole Heights strenuously object. They say the added express lanes will slice through their streets, wiping out more than 100 businesses and residences. Opponents have held protest marches and packed public meetings.Yard signs opposing TBX are a common sight. The Sunshine Citizens is pushing against the project. Most recently, the civil rights office of the Federal Highway Administration agreed to a preliminary investigation of TBX, based on a complaint that the toll system benefits wealthy commuters and motorists, while See EXPRESS, page 11A