FREE
Bloomingdale/FishHawk
Please Take One
www.facebook.com/ OspreyObserverFans
Have News? E-mail editor@ospreyobserver.com C E L E B R A T I N G
Like Us On Facebook For Giveaways & Breaking News
May 2017 Volume 16, Issue 5 Ph: 657-2418 1 5
Y E A R S
O F
P U B L I S H I N G
Sprouts, PetSmart & Orange Theory Fitness Confirmed To Anchor Old Alberstons Plaza
By Tamas Mondovics
P O S I T I V E
C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
Osprey Observer Honored With BOCC Commendation For 15th Anniversary
By Kate Quesada
Developer, Woerner Equity Group is now redeveloping the former Albertsons Plaza for Sprouts Farmers Market, PetSmart and Orange Theory Fitness slated for early next year.
ft., leaving a little more than 20,000 sq. ft. for a new PetSmart store. Orange Theory Fitness will make use of the former 3,500 sq. ft., liquor store space at the north end of the building closer to Miller Rd. Happy with the news of the long awaited redevelopment of the site in the heart of their community, many expressed relief and spoke highly of the choice of new stores. “So very excited about the construction starting on the new Sprouts store (old Albertsons on Lithia),” posted Buckhorn Preserve resident Shawn Bernier on his Facebook page shortly after he heard the news. “I was at the Sprouts in Carrollwood, last week and it is a fabulous store. Kind of like Trader Joes.” Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy White, whose district includes the Valrico community, also spoke highly of the renovation, and the need for a redevelopment of the plaza, which by sitting vacant was slowly becoming an eyesore.
Continued on Page 8
Staff members from The Osprey Observer attended a recent meeting of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners where they were given a Commendation by Commissioner Stacy White.
The Osprey Observer staff received an exciting honor from the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) last month. The team, led by Managing Editor Marie Gilmore, was given a Commendation from the BOCC celebrating the publication’s 15th anniversary and recognizing its impact on the community. At the April 5 BOCC meeting in downtown Tampa, members of the Osprey Observer staff were recognized by County Commissioner Stacy White and were presented with a plaque commemorating the commendation and congratulating the newspaper on its 15th anniversary. The plaque also recognized the publication for providing informative local news to the community. During the BOCC’s regular meetings, commissioners often give out proclamations and commendations to recognize important dates and causes and to celebrate significant contributions of businesses, groups and individuals to the people of Hillsborough County. “Commissioners are free to choose recognitions as they wish and commissioners choose to recognize individuals,
groups and businesses for a variety of reasons,” said White, who explained during the meeting that he looks forward to receiving the Osprey Observer in his mailbox every month. “I decided to recognize the Osprey Observer for this milestone anniversary because it is a successful small business in the district
Continued on Page 5
In This Issue NEW HEALTHPLEX..............................PG 3 BELL SCHEDULE................................PG 12 HOA HOT TOPICS .............................PG 19 SKYTYPER .........................................PG 25 SPORTS CONNECTION...............PGS 32‐33 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT................PG 42 SUMMER CAMPS ......................PGS 49‐55
READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE
www.ospreyobserver.com
Osprey Observer 918 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Brandon, FL 33511-6121
Postal Customer
ECRWSS EDDM
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2397
The long held debate and guessing game about what store(s) if any, might occupy the more than 55,000 sq. ft. former Alberstons grocery store building that has been sitting vacant for the past few years in Valrico is officially over. Developer, Woerner Equity Group, a West Palm Beach Florida-based full service real estate firm that focuses on the acquisition and development of commercial properties with an emphasis on shopping centers, is now redeveloping the site to house Sprouts Farmers Market, PetSmart and Orange Theory Fitness. Renamed, Valrico Landing, the site is located just east of Brandon, at the intersection on the northeast corner of Lithia Pinecrest Rd. and Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. Coupled with signalized access, the entire plaza will feature 155 parking spots and will also include one additional 4,000 sq. ft. outparcel for rent near the front of the site. Woerner officials confirmed that the building will be divided into three sections with Sprouts occupying nearly 30,000 sq.
LITHIA
Photo By Tamas Mondovics
FishHawk Youth Baseball FYB Minors Nathan Woytowich swings at a pitch during a regular season game against the FYB Red Sox last month at the FishHawk Sports Complex in Lithia. FYB is nearing its season playoffs and championship game scheduled for this month. Please read more about the league in this edition.
Serving Our Customers in 4 Locations: Lithia • Big Bend, Riverview • 301, Riverview • Sun City Center