FREE • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023
VOLUME 11, NO. 16
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW UTILITIES AND SOLID WASTE FACILITY TO SOON COMMENCE Manhattan Construction Company is expected to begin work on the administration building MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER
In a move aimed at addressing longstanding deficiencies, lack of ADA requirements and a growing workforce, Plant City has embarked on a project to construct a spacious, modern 15,000 square-foot office building that will house both the Utilities and Solid Waste Departments.
The new building will include outdoor patios, retention ponds and 76 parking spaces to meet code requirements. The existing facility at 1802 Spooner Drive, housing more than 50 city employees, has served the city for decades but has become increasingly inadequate, requiring significant repairs and renovations. According to Utilities
Director Lynn Spivey, an evaluation showed that the cost to fix the issues was nearly as much as tearing the building down and erecting a new structure. “The number one problem is that the building isn’t ADA compliant,” said Spivey. “Even if we renovated, we’d have had to bring it up to current codes.”
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CARVE OUT SOME TIME TO FIND A GOURD-GEOUS PUMPKIN
The pumpkin patch at First United Methodist Church is just one of several local spots to pick the perfect pumpkin and take a few selfies while there. Its hours through October 31 are 4:45 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends.