There was a sparse crowd at this week’s brief commission meeting. A proclamation was presented to Plant City Police Department, recognizing April 9 - 15 as National
Public Safety Telecommunicators
Week. Communications Manager Jessica Alexander attended the meeting. “These women are more than anonymous voices on a phone, they’re the unseen fist responders,” said Mayor Nate
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
A new restaurant focusing on craft cocktails is sprouting up in downtown Plant City in the space formerly occupied by Big Dog’s Patio at 103 Palmer Street and its going to get residents hungry for its grand opening.
Brandon Snyder, owner of Root’s Tap Room & Wine Bar, leased the 3,600 square-foot space, including the old real estate office next door at 105 Palmer Street, and is planning to liven up downtown with Propagation Whiskey Bar and Kitchen. The word propagation means the breeding of specimens of a plant or promoting an idea. “That’s what we’re doing, it’s a play on Roots,” said Snyder, who’s been interested in the prime location for more than a year.
“I’ve said from the beginning, when I opened Root’s, that this spot is the heartbeat of downtown, if you change this you change everything,” said Snyder. “This is the center for every event that goes on in downtown, from car shows to food truck rallies and there’s plentiful parking right across the street.”
Snyder is gutting the space to cre-
ate his gastronomic vision, installing a commercial kitchen (in the old real estate office), removing ceiling tiles to reveal exposed steel beams, redoing electrical and plumbing and basically giving the entire space a refresh with a new long bar, couches and high tops, removing all remnants of Big Dog’s Patio. In the outdoor space he plans to build a new stage, install sunshades and add picnic tables and string lights. “We want the outside space to complement the events that happen downtown,” he said. “Come in, listen to a live band and have a good Moscow Mule.”
The tentative menu will include elevated bar food, including delicious burgers, chicken tenders, salads and a couple of vegan options, which he hopes will be available to hungry diners during lunch hours.
At Propagation Whiskey Bar and Kitchen, patrons will be able to enjoy good food, live music and a full bar in downtown after 4 p.m.
Snyder, who has 18 years of experience in the restaurant industry, is hoping Propagation Whiskey Bar and Kitchen will open in October. “My goal is to have an amazing Halloween party here,” he said. “We’ll turn the lights down and the music up.”
Kilton. “We support you and this is a small token of our appreciation.”MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER
THERE WILL SOON BE ANOTHER SPOT IN DOWNTOWN PLANT CITY TO NOSH ON DELICIOUS FOOD AND COCKTAILS.
Hillsborough County Public Schools is hosting its fist-ever Spring Magnet & CTE Expo on Thursday, April 13 at Tampa Bay Technical High School, located at 6410 Orient Road, from 5: 30 - 7:30 p.m. All magnet schools with seats available on the current application will be in attendance, along with several Career and Technical Education (CTE) Choice Attractor Programs. This free event will give students and families the opportunity to choose a program for the upcoming 2023-24 school year.
Mark your calendar to safely dispose of unwanted or unneeded medication in U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 22. Plant City Police Department will be at drop off loation at CVS Pharmacy, located at 2302 James L. Redman Parkway from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. For more information visit www.dea.gov/ takebackday.
Plant City attorney Jeraldine Williams was one of 13 Black women who were sworn in to argue cases before the United States Supreme Court. The ceremony was held in the courtroom of the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. It was a historic event because a large group of Black women had never previously been inducted at the Court. “It was mesmerizing,” said Williams. “Supreme Court justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson, the only AfricanAmerican female justice, who grew up in Florida, smiled and acknowledged each of us as we made our way to the front of the courtroom.” Williams, who is in her 41st year as a lawyer, studied law at the Florida State University College of Law.
Hillsborough County Public Schools is seeking dedicated and compassionate bus drivers and mechanics. A job fair will be held on Saturday, April 29 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 9455 Harney Road in Thonotosassa. The district is hoping to hire more than 100 bus driver positions to immediately fill open bus outes. On-the-spot interviews and job offers may occur for both roles. Driver positions have a starting pay of $16.04 per hour with benefis including zero-premium employee-only health insurance and opportunities for flxible scheduling. In addition, drivers are provided the opportunity to earn a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for free.
Former Plant City Mayor and retired civil engineer Randy Larson had dreams of soaring through the skies in his own airplane. So he built one.
Larson, who lived in Plant City for 30 years before moving to a lake house at Crooked Lake near Lake Wales, purchased a kit to build a Rans S-21 Outbound, a two-seater, 180-horsepower all-metal high wing aircraft with exceptional payload and speed range and short-range take-off and landing capability.
The kit was delivered to his home in September 2021. Inside the large crates, thousands and thousands of pieces of airplane parts beckoned him. “When the kit showed up, I opened the boxes and thought what have I gotten myself into,” he said.
The instruction manual, three thick binders, painstakingly broke down the step-by-step instructions to put together the rudder, wings, fuselage and finishins. “I just started at page one and went page by page,” he said.
After 951 hours of build-time spanning almost 18 months, documenting the entire process, the plane was completed. The leftover parts didn’t phase him. “I went through all of them and the plane came with some options where you could do things differently and those parts were for those options,” he said.
Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration issued him an airworthiness certifiate, giving him authorization to operate the aircraft in fligh. He flw the
plane on its inaugural flight wo weeks ago at Bartow Executive Airport. “It was great,” said Larson, who flw the test flight with a Southwest Airlines pilot who had experience in that type of aircraft. “We taxied off the ruway and went into the wild blue yonder, flying about wo and a half hours that day but staying close to the airport,” he said. The plane performed exceptionally well. “It reaffirmedy decision, it fluters like a leaf,” he said. “Even people in the tower were complimentary.” Built for speed and power, he’s heard people refer to his plane fondly as the 3/4 ton truck of the sky, a favorite among Alaskans. Larsen needed a plane with a powerful engine, which this kit came with, because he eventually wanted to put it on flats for use on the lake.
He earned his pilot’s license in his 20’s but the flying bug e-emerged after he retired and moved to the lake house, where his neighbor had a seaplane. “My wife didn’t enjoy flying o for 38 years I didn’t fl,” he said.
An inactive pilot, he took a Rusty Pilots seminar and completed the requirements to make his license current. “I was smitten again,” he said. Another lifelong dream was to become instrument-rated, so three years ago, at 65 years old, he embarked on that journey. “It wasn’t cheap but I enjoyed every minute of it,” he said. “The rating allows me license to punch through the clouds.”
He discovered Rans planes after a 2019 visit to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin. The following year he flw to its headquarters in Kansas, where he flw the plane for the fist time. “It’s an extremely stable plane and very fast and can cruise at 150 miles per hour,” he said.
Empty, the plane weighs 1,000 pounds and holds a gross weight of 800 pounds. Sticks and pedals in front of both seats mean the pilot can sit on either side to fl. The plane features glass panels, touchscreens, a full autopilot and GPS.
Larson now has fie and a half hours of airtime. He’s working on trimming the aircraft, adjusting the aerodynamic forces on the control surfaces so that the aircraft maintains a smooth ride.
Soaring 3,000 feet above the ground, he said the landscape looks small. As he flis over Plant City, he can see the strawberry tower and festival grounds.
He’s planning a two-day trip to Oshkosh. For Larsen, the sky’s the limit, no pun intended, on where he can travel. Roads? He doesn’t need….roads.
“It’s a freedom like you’ll never experience in your life,” he said.
Randy Larson always had a passion for flying but what he really wanted to do was build a plane he could call his own.MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER
PLANT CITY
MICHELLE CACERES STAFF WRITER
Nestled at 221 West Alexander Street in the Winn Dixie-anchored Lake Walden Square shopping center, Game Over Escape Rooms offers four immersive and challenging themed experiences for everyone from beginners to experts. Stop a notorious killer from claiming another victim in “Jack The Ripper.” Fight off the dad and other hostile groups of survivors to escape “Walking Death.” Steal a powerful artifact from the Illuminati in “The Secret Society.” Find a way out before King Minos sends an army to destroy you in “The Labyrinth.”
In each room, up to 10 participants have one hour to escape.
Owner Clint Randolph was working as an engineer in Temple Terrace when he took his wife on a date to a Game Over escape room in Brandon. “I told her I’d love to work there but it would never pay the bills,” he recalled. On a whim, he sent the company an email and its CEO called him, and the idea became a reality. “Julio Perez and Blaine Schultz came on board with me, it was surreal,” he said.
The business opened in December.
Dover resident Brock Wynn has experienced at least 30 escape rooms, sometimes with friends, sometimes with his godson, Ian. “I’m trying to teach Ian problem-solving, communication and observation
skills as well as patience, things that will lead to success in any aspect of life, and escape rooms are great for that,” he said.
Wynn said all four of Game Over’s escape rooms were challenging and an “escape” from reality. “When you read a book it takes you out of your normal everyday activities and escape rooms offer a similar experience,” he said. “I also want to support local business owners.”
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 12 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
For more information or to book an experience VISIT WWW.PLANTCITY.ESCAPEGAMEOVER.US OR CALL 813-707-1220.
& GROUT
STEAM
When they dressed the cat in a St. Nick costume for Christmas, he had -- SANTA “CLAWS”
Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com
Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com
Sports Writer / Taylor Jenkins tjenkins@plantcityobserver.com
StaffWriter / Michelle Caceres michelle@plantcityobserver.com
Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez
Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster LLancaster@PlantCityObserver.com
TO ADVERTISE Call (813) 704-6850
Advertising / Richard Brame richard@plantcityobserver.com
Advertising / Karen Berry kberry@plantcityobserver.com
CONTACT US
The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B.
If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.
SEND US YOUR NEWS
We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements.
To contact us, send your information via: Email: Sarah Holt, SHolt@ PlantCityObserver.com.
Mail: The Plant City Observer, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B, Plant City, FL 33563
FOLLOW US
Facebook: Plant City Observer
Instagram: @plcobserver Twitter: @PlantObserver Plant City Observer is locally owned by Ed Verner, Karen Berry, Nate Kilton and Felix Haynes
The Plant City Observer is published by Plant City Media LLC.
110 E. Reynolds, Suite 100B Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 704-6850
©Copyright
Trash Can-Vas Project brings public art to downtown Plant City.
During public comments, Plant City resident Rhonda Trimble expressed concerns that her property, located adjacent to D.R. Horton’s Varrea community, was experiencing flooding isues. “I’m all about growth but I don’t want my property flooded” she said. City officia, the developer and other agencies are aware of and investigating the issue.
The consent agenda was quickly and unanimously passed, approving the minutes from the last meeting, approving the installation of the Return Activated Sledge Pumps at the Water Reclamation Facility and resolutions setting a quasi-judicial public hearing for a final plat entitledTerrace at Walden Lake and final plat entitled Safe Lakeside Logistics Center.
City Manager Bill McDaniel shared that he presented eight challenge coins to eight City team members who assisted a citizen in medical distress. Those employees
were: Leticia Amezquita, Charles (Tom) Benjamin, Cristoval Arevalo, John Elias, Renee Donaghy, Steven Sikes, Jerry Bridges and Eric Mooneyham.
City Attorney Kenneth Buchman briefly discussed two proposed ordinances that would amend Plant City code regarding the sale of cannabis if the federal government legalizes the drug. At last month’s Planning Board meeting, the Board reviewed both proposed ordinances (one to allow dispensaries in all districts where pharmacies are located and the other to prohibit them). The Board favored the ordinance allowing dispensaries. A public meeting to discuss the proposed ordinance is expected to be scheduled at the May 8 commission meeting.
The next commission meeting will be held Monday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. following the 5 p.m. public meeting to discuss the status of the 1914 high school.
Downtown Plant City got a little more colorful thanks to St. Pete resident and artist Courtney Dodson (no relation to our city commissioner), who transformed a new dumpster into a work of art. The dumpster, located in the parking lot off Palmer Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, was unveiled last week.
The Trash Can-Vas Project, sponsored by Plant City Main Street (PCMS), MAKE Plant City and the City of Plant City, is part of an initiative to bring more public art to downtown and is a follow-up to the Electric Art Box project, which saw downtown’s electric boxes wrapped in vinyl artwork from a number of artists.
Dodson’s art, titled “Always in Season”, is drawn in a graphical tattoo-style and features Florida-native floa and fauna. Her design was selected from a pool of artists who responded to the project’s call for artists. “I spent a lot of time Googling what’s natural to Florida but also brightly colored so I ended up with a design that shows a mockingbird, a bumble bee, a green tree frog, Beautyberry branches, azaleas and fie brush,” she said. “I hope everyone likes it.”
It took Dodson about two weeks, working four to fie hours a day, to complete the piece. “I used chalk markers to put the design on the dumpster, came back and filled it all in using a aintbrush and then used a thick black oil paint marker to go over the outlines,” she said.
In addition to the dumpster, Dodson’s whimsical paintings and digital art can be found in local galleries and exhibits across Tampa Bay, including Lucid Vending Machines, Green Bench Brewing and a recently completed sidewalk mural for the city of Pinellas Park.
“The Trash Can-Vas Program adds a piece of unexpected beauty, which helps to make Downtown a more interesting and vibrant place to walk, shop and enjoy,” said Dawn Hyatt, Executive Director of PCMS. “We are so appreciative of this collaboration to support the Downtown Vision Plan by adding public art.”
City Manager Bill McDaniel said the unique project is another way to beautify downtown. “It’s spectacular, when I pulled into the parking lot I was impressed and thought it was a great addition here,” he said.
The Trash Can-Vas Program was also made possible with support from the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
Going 2-2 in Saladino Tournament Play, Strawberry Crest returned to regular season play where they lost two of their next three games — with a 5-3 loss to Newsome, a 5-3 loss to Gaither and a 10-0 win over Chamberlain. Getting back into the win column last week, the Chargers came away with a 4-2 win over Wharton on Tuesday before running away with a huge 12-2 victory over Hillsborough in five innings on Thursday. Senior Zach Redner took the mound for Crest in the top of the first, immediately allowing a first-pitch base hit to the Terriers’ leadoff hitter. The next batter he faced dropped a bunt down the first base line, fielded by Redner who was able to lay the tag for the first out as the Hillsborough runner advanced to second. A tough ground ball between shortstop and third base was beat out by the ensuing hitter and a throw back to third in an attempt to nab the advancing runner from second skipped to the fence, allowing both runners to advance and the first run to cross for the Terriers. With one out and the trail runner now standing in scoring position on second base, Hillsborough was looking to add more, but backto-back strikeouts ended the frame and limited the damage to a 1-0 deficit after one. Strawberry Crest then responded in
the bottom of the first, and did so in a huge way. After a strikeout led off the bottom of the inning, senior Arjun Nimmala ripped a triple to straightaway left field. Senior Eli Vickers stepped up next, ripping a hard ground ball to third that was stopped by the outstretched glove of Hillsborough’s diving third baseman. His throw went home to try and stop Nimmala from crossing the plate, but it wasn’t in time as the run scored, Vickers was safe at first and the Chargers tied the contest in an instant. Taking advantage of mental lapses, Vickers stole second and third before a loud double off the right field wall from Redner drove him home and gave the Chargers a 2-1 lead with one out. But Crest wasn’t done. Senior Alex Philpott beat out a slow roller to third, allowing pinch runner Reuben Vasquez to advance to third before Philpott again took advantage of the Terriers’ complacency as he moved up to second. A passed ball pushed Vasquez home and Philpott to third before senior Luke Richardson gave the Chargers a 4-1 lead with a single to center heading into the second.
Hillsborough jumped on the bases quickly again in the top of the second, roping a firstpitch double down the right field line, but a bunt fielded by Redner, a strikeout and a ground out to first base kept the Terriers off the board.
The Chargers then picked up right where they left off in the second, opening the frame with a base hit from Ray Allen Vasquez before Adrian Vo reached on a hit by pitch and Jace Raburn drew a walk to load the bases. With Nimmala up again in a position to do some damage, he roped a base hit to left — his second hit of the evening — to drive the runner home from third and extend the Crest lead to 5-1. While the bases remained loaded for Vickers, it wouldn’t stay that way for long as he ripped a double into the left center gap, clearing the bases and pushing the Chargers out to an 8-1 lead before finding himself in a run down between second and third for the first out of the inning. Redner then reached on a hit by pitch and Reuben Vazquez again entered to pinch run, stealing second, advancing to third as the throw bounced into centerfield and eventually scoring on another passed ball to give the Chargers a 9-1 lead after two. Redner continued to cruise in the third, allowing two runners to reach safely before eventually bringing another scoreless inning to a close. In the bottom of the inning, Nimmala reached safely on a single and Vickers reached on an infield hit before Redner uncorked another rocket off the bat and this one wouldn’t stay in the yard as the ball barreled into the trees beyond the right field fence for a three-run home run —his first
home run of the season, giving the Chargers a 12-1 lead.
As senior Cooper McDonald took over on the mound to open the fourth for Crest, Redner’s night came to an end with three innings pitched, four hits allowed, one walk and one earned run while striking out three. At the plate, he finished the evening 2-for-3 with one double, one home run, four runs batted in and one run scored. Over the two ensuing innings of work, McDonald allowed two walks, zero hits and one unearned run as the Chargers claimed a 12-2 victory and rose to 10-6 on the year.
Crest returned to action on Tuesday with another huge victory, beating Freedom 15-0 as they extended their win streak to three games and moved to 11-6 on the year. Next up, the Chargers will host 12-6 Alonso on Saturday at 10 a.m.
After a 9-4 loss to Newsome in late March ended a six-game win streak for Durant baseball, moving them to 10-3 on the year, they wasted no time jumping right back in the win column last week with a 3-2 win over Bloomingdale on Tuesday, followed by an 8-0 win over East Bay on Thursday. Tuesday night the Cougars made their way across town as they looked to build on yet another win streak with a win over the Riverview Sharks, ultimately coming away with an impressive 10-0 shutout win.
Leadoff hitter Nick April-Gath opened the contest with a walk to put a runner on early for the Cougars, wasting no time moving into scoring position with a stolen bag. After a ground out to short marked the first out of the inning, April-Gath took off for third as junior Noah Morales punched a single through the left side, scoring April-Gath and giving Durant a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom half of the frame. In the bottom of the first, senior Preston Rogers took the mound for Durant looking for a bounce back performance following his previous outing against Newsome, and a bounce back performance is exactly what the Cougars got from the Plant City transfer. After notching the first out of the inning on a quick strikeout, a hit by pitch gave the Sharks their first baserunner. A walk later in the inning would have Riverview threatening with runners on
first and third, but a pair of strikeouts eliminated the danger and kept the Cougars on top through one.
Sophomore Brody Lissy would reach safely with a walk in the top of the second — moved to second base on a bunt from senior Aidan Welsh — but the Cougars would go down scoreless in the second. And despite another walk in the bottom of the second, Rogers would work through the frame without trouble.
In the top of the third, a strikeout for the first out of the inning was followed up with a baserunner as senior catcher Dylan LaPointe reached safely on a hit by pitch. Courtesy runner Dylan Hotz immediately stole second and then came all the way around to score on a double down the left field line from Morales. Junior Tristan Brown would draw a walk to put runners on first and second before junior Blaine Rowland ripped a single into center field — scoring Morales and giving Durant a 3-0 lead after three. Sophomore Jack Brooks then took the mound in relief for Durant, and despite a leadoff single that saw Riverview’s leadoff runner move to second on an errant pickoff move and to third on a ball in the dirt, a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to third kept Riverview off the board in his first inning of work.
Durant then broke the contest open in the top of the fourth, starting with Welsh reach-
ing safely on a hit by pitch before stealing second. As Welsh took off in an attempt to swipe third as well, junior Devin Suero slapped a single through the left side to drive in the run and extend the Cougars’ lead to 4-0 — subsequently advancing to second on the throw home. Suero was later thrown out in an attempt to steal third for the first out of the inning and April-Gath put another baserunner on for the Cougars as he drew his second walk of the night. With LaPointe at the plate, April-Gath took off for second on the pitch and advanced to third on a looping single to right center. A balk then pushed April-Gath across to score and moved courtesy runner Hotz up to second. Morales reached safely for the third time in the contest with a walk of his own and sophomore Brantley Hayward tacked on to the Durant lead with an RBI single to left.
Now holding a 6-0 lead, Brooks sat the Riverview hitters down in order in the fourth and allowed two runners to reach in the fifth before escaping the jam unscathed.
Durant added another run in the top of the sixth as junior Pete Oderio knocked an RBI single to right, scoring Morales and pushing the Cougars’ lead to 7-0. Brooks handled the first two outs in the sixth before handing the ball off to junior Gehrig Graham to clos out the inning with a strikeout. In the top of the seventh, Durant continued to pile on. Welsh led off the inning with a base hit to left
field, stealing second and moving to third on a ground out before April-Gath sent him home with a sacrifice fly to center. LaPointe reached again with another single, this time to the left side of the infield, and courtesy runner Hotz once again made his home on a double to deep left from Morales. Hayward drove Morales home with a single to right field and the Cougars took a 10-0 lead — a lead that Durant would hold firmly as Graham shut the door with a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh, securing the huge victory and moving the team to 13-3 on the year.
Durant was seemingly unstoppable in all phases of the contest. Defensively, they conceded just one error. On the mound, the Cougars’ three pitchers allowed no runs and struck out 12 while conceding just four hits and two walks. Offensively, Durant stole a jaw-dropping 10 bases and six different hitters notched RBIs as 14 different players registered plate appearances in the 11-hit, 10-run night. But despite a nearly flawless team effort in the victory, Morales stood out with an incredible individual performance — reaching base safely in all five of his plate appearances while going 3-3 with two doubles, two walks, three runs batted in, three runs scored and five stolen bases.
The Cougars will now look to extend their winning streak to four games as they host Newsome on Friday.
Taylor Jenkins is the Sports Writer at the Plant City Observer. Email: tjenkins@ plantcityobserver.com.In a 12-2 mercy rule victory, the Chargers moved to 10-6 on the season.
The Cougars moved to 13-3 on the year with a 10-0 win over the Sharks.TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER
Everyone attributes some form of value to the property location, what school district is it in, proximity to shopping, attractions, family, friends, church, workplace, etc. In real estate, location is one of the primary attributes in determining value. So, each property or area locale has its own unique characteristics to determine worth. That’s an understatement when we read the headlines on real estate data and trends based upon the national figues; they make assumptions all locales carry similar value. On the national front they tend to overshadow a more negative undertone for the entire US; extreme falling values, market correction and such, but that’s not the case here in Florida, I-4 corridor and south. I go back to location: would you rather be faced with six-foot snow drifts in Buffalo or the harsh winters of Florida. The influx of people coming to Florida increases daily wanting something that our location provides which creates value.
This takes us back squarely into the supply-demand economic scenario, those moving into the area will increase the demand on the limited supply of homes we have in the area, which in turn stabilizes the market and prices will appreciate. The main difference we encounter today versus two years ago; cheap lending rates are gone. Our current rates will stabilize over the next three to six months and believe the new normal will be in the sub-5’s.
Just realize that our central location carries an inherit value computation when looking at data sources that mention, National, Eastern US or such data figues. I base the following evaluations solely on our Plant City Market area for residential homes sold and active inventory.
As we look at the Plant City housing data, March 2023, our market area sold 108 homes for the month a nice gain from last month. That number comprised of 35 new construction homes which should continue due to the new housing
developments. The housing inventory has decreased in months’ supply from 2.15 to 1.85, still considerably less than the three to four months average supply needed for a normal market time period. Our ADOM, average days on market, was 41.3 down from last month and should decrease somewhat over the next prevailing months but will be higher than last year’s ADOM of 23 days.
I have mentioned in previous articles that our market area peaked back in May/ June 2022. Since then, we have been seeing small percentage declines and market stabilization over the past eight months. Last month’s data suggests that we may have reached the bottom, but we will continue to report our findins. That in mind: March’s average price of homes was $382,229 a 7.4 percent increase over last month and 7.7 percent gain over the last three-month average. The average price per square foot was $196.93 a 7.9 percent gain over last month and a 4.3 percent gain over the previous three-month average.
30-year average mortgage rates have declined in the last four weeks according to Freddie Mac data, as of April 6 the weekly average was 6.28 percent. The Federal Reserve has their next meeting May 2-3, but I think the June 13-14 meeting will talk more about the inflationay concerns they have been working against.
So, what about the coming months? We are leading into the spring/summer buying season, typically we have the strongest buying demand during this time, with inventories low pricing conditions will stabilize or appreciate in the next few months. If the mortgage rates stabilize in the sub5’s, we could see the next beginning of real estate growth period.
If you are in the market to buy or sell your home, please seek an experienced professional Realtor® to assist you in this transaction process. There are too many consequences, going it alone without proper representation. If you have any questions, want a market value analysis
of your home, or see what’s available to purchase, please reach out.
M Crawford Crawford Group
The following residential properties were a sample listed as sold on the Greater Tampa Realtors Association MLS in March 2023 for the Plant City Market Area.
The home at 108 W Drew St sold March 14 for $140,000. Built in 1922, it has 2 bedrooms, 1 bath and 1116 square feet of living area.
The home at 1605 W Ball St sold March 6 for $185,000. Built in 1959 it has 5 bedrooms, 3 bath and 2000 square feet of living area.
The home at 6610 Five Acre Rd sold March 22 for $240,000. Built in 1973, it has 5 bedrooms, 3 bath and 2554 square feet of living area.
The home at 1403 N Crystal Ter sold March 3 for $275,000. Built in 1972, it has 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bath and 975 square feet of living area.
The home at 2003 W Ball St sold March 24 for $295,000. Built in 2009, it has 4 bedrooms, 2 bath and 1588 square feet of living area.
The home at 511 E Strickland St sold March 1 for $310,000. Built in 2022, it has 3 bedrooms, 2 bath and 1280 square feet of living area.
The home at 101 Citrus Landing Dr sold March 10 for $335,000. Built in 2005, it has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bath and 1517 square feet of living area.
The home at 2720 Golf Lake Dr sold March 14 for $340,000. Built in 1996, it has 2 bedrooms, 2 bath and 1647 square feet of living area.
The home 3894 Capri Coast Dr sold March 24 for $368,590. Built in 2023, it has 4 bedrooms, 2 bath and 1850 square feet of living area.
The home at 1506 Teakwood Dr sold March 15 for $400,000. Built in 1996, it has 3 bedrooms, 2 bath and 2101 square feet of living area.
The home at 3025 Via Siena St sold March 9 for $435,000. Built in 2011, it has 4 bedrooms, 3 bath and 2394 square feet of living area.
The home at 3518 Ranchdale Dr sold March 24 for $542,500. Built in 2016, it has 4 bedrooms, 3 bath and 2388 square feet of living area.
The home at 5001 Booth Rd sold March 16 for $549,000. Built in 1987, it has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bath and 2214 square feet of living area.
The home at 1307 E Trapnell Rd sold March 16 for $585,000. Built in 2000, it has 3 bedrooms, 3 bath and 2494 square feet of living area.
The home at 1101 Mendonsa Rd sold March 31 for $756,000. Built in 1975, it has 6 bedrooms, 4 bath and 4334 square feet of living area.
The home at 2510 E Knights Griffind sold March 15 for $1,023,900. Built in 2002, it has 3 bedrooms, 2 bath and 2028 square feet of living area.
The home at 5005 Justin Ln sold March 10 for $1,400,000. Built in 1998, it has 8 bedrooms, 9.5 bath and 8157 square feet of living area.
“Boyz II Men at the PC Strawberry Festival! Did the VIP, got the meet them and get pictures!” - Joey Lynn
“Clay Walker!! Been to several throughout the state and I can’t pick just one. They were all full of energy and equally amazing!” - Sara Simpson
“Both on my bucket list: Garth Brooks and Celine Dion.” - Shannon Dale Smith
“Elton John, The Eagles, to list a few.”Martha Dixon
“1, Motley Crue. 2, Def Leppard.” - Bobby Raines
“Fleetwood Mac… all of them.” - Beverly Frable
“Prince.” - Christa Hammer
“U2’s Joshua Tree tour at the USF Sundome. It was amazing.” - Kathy Mullins McNulty
“Seeing Conway Twitty at the Strawberry Festival years ago.” - Michelle Reid Odom
“Dream Theater at the Astoria in London - October 2002 - both nights.”Fred Long
“Metallica.” - Kitty Pacheco
“U2 all four times we’ve seen them.”Bruce Curtis
“Less Than Jake’s Hello Rockview album show at the State Theater in St Pete, 2007.” - Chris Collins
“Elvis and The Eagles.” - Judy Martin
“It was a combo, Jimmy Buffett/Eagles. Loved it!” - Shawn Casey Tyre
“Godsmack!!” - Jenniffer Singh-Overmyer
“Garth Brooks.” - Tennille Laurelli
“Elton John!” - Gretchen Farid
“Pink Floyd, old Tampa Stadium!”Christine Haney
“Avenged Sevenfold in Mt. Pleasant MI, as a huge storm rolled in. Lightning, wind, rain… couldn’t pay to recreate the sensory experience!” - Klee Watts
“Stevie Nicks.” - Kim Raymond
“AC/DC.” - Sheree Guastella
“Dolly Parton.” - Kevin Mason
“Blues Brothers.” - Wayne McCann
“Journey.” - Frank Yurchak
“Rick Springfied.” - Debbie Tumbleston
“Frank Sinatra.” - Evelyn Madonia
“George Strait.” - Bud Olliff
“MoneyBagg Yo, Lil Durk, Lil Baby at Amway Center.” - Cameron Eccles
“Whitney Houston at Tampa Stadium. She was amazing!” - Shirley Kennedy Ratcliff
“Beastie Boys and Talib Kweli at the St Pete Times Forum. They had dogs jumping through rings of fie for their opening act!” - Cody Lenz
“Deep Purple, Eagles and Rolling Stones.” - Suzie Rozar Johnson
A Day to Remember with Bring Me The Horizon and We Came As Romans. Janus Landing, 2010.” - Andrea Mendez
“Pink and Panic at the Disco.” - Cody Bodnar
“I have been to so many great concerts, but I’ve got to give it to Matchbox 20 and Alanis Morrisette at the Borgota, 2008.” - Trisca Taylor Stanton
We asked Plant City: What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
Sherman “Pop” Van Dewey Goss, Jr., 75, of Lithia, born on March 17, 1948, in Plant City, entered into eternal rest on April 9, 2023.
Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.
Warren Dale Sanderson, 68, of Valrico, born on June 29, 1954, in Memphis, Tennessee, entered into eternal rest on April 2, 2023.
Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.
HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM
Susan Joy Pealo, 63, of Plant City, Fla., passed away peacefully on April 4, 2023. There will be no service in Florida for Sue. There will be a memorial service for her in her hometown in New York at a later day to be set by the family.
Online condolences can be made at www.haught. care.
HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM
Tyler Shawn Padgett, 25, passed away April 7, 2023. Friends and family will be received April 13, 2023, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd Plant City, FL 33563.
A funeral service will be held April 14, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Springhead Pentecostal Church of God in Plant City, Fla.
HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM
Susan N. Bridgmon, 74, of Plant City, born on Oct. 15, 1948, in Queens, N.Y., entered into eternal rest on April 8, 2023.
Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.
HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM
Shirley A. Walker Dunlap, 69, of Lithia, born on Sept. 9, 1953, in Plant City, entered into eternal rest on April 7, 2023.
Expressions of condolences at www.HopewellFuneral.com.
HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM
Jonathan C. Hill, 44, passed away on April 2, 2023. A funeral service was held April 11, 2023, at First Thonotosassa Missionary Baptist Church in Thonotosassa, Fla.
Online condolences can be made at www.haught. care.
HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM
Online condolences can be made at www.haught. care.
HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM
ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES
FRIDAY, APRIL 14
“FRIENDS” TRIVIA NIGHT
7 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E J. Arden Mays Blvd. Bring your friends and family to grab a cup of coffee and head up to the loft to show off our knowledge, or just to cheer on your loved ones, with a chance to win a prize at this month’s Friends-themed Trivia Night. Teams of up to four people will compete for the chance to claim the title of Friends expert, with registration costing $5 per team.
SATURDAY, APRIL 15
STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CRUISE-IN
3 to 6:30 p.m. at 102 N. Palmer St. The Plant City Strawberry Classic Cruise-In is back on Saturday, April 15, rain or shine. Cars and trucks of all makes, models and years can register for free starting at 3 p.m. Live music by DJ John Paul Gasca.
EARTH, WIND AND GARDEN
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2001 E. Cherry St. The Plant City Garden Club will hold their annual Earth Day celebration, Earth, Wind and Garden, at the Plant City Common Gardens on the south side of Plant City’s HCC Campus. The event is free for all to attend and will feature vendors, music, food, workshops, children’s activities, garden tours, a plant sale and more. For more information, contact plantcitygarden@ gmail.com
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19
FREE ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY VETERANS
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Federal, state and local opportunities are constantly changing. If you’ve served any time in the military, retired or non-retention, and would like to review your benefis please take advantage of free assistance at the Bing House Museum, 205 Allen St., every Wednesday. Walk-ins welcomed or call 813-704-5800 to set a specific tim.
THURSDAY, APRIL 20
TOP GOLF TOURNAMENT
6 to 9 p.m. at 10690 Palm River Rd. Join Plant City Main Street for a festive evening under the stars with their highly-anticipated Top Golf Tournament, an opportunity to enjoy Top Golf as well as a dinner buffet and open bar served in a private VIP room. With the opportunity to walk away with some amazing gifts and prizes, Plant City Main Street welcomes you to invite your friends, family and fellow business owners for a night of fun as the city comes together to help strengthen Main Streets efforts in Historic Downtown Plant City. for more information, or to register, visit www. plantcitymainstreet.com.
SATURDAY, APRIL 22
PLAINS, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 4007 Airport Rd. Make your way to the Plant City Airport for Planes, Trains & Automobiles, an event that will feature car and airplane shows, model train layouts, RC aircraft and drone demos, kids’ activities, scout badging, fist responder vehicles, food trucks and more. Tickets are $7.25 in advance online or $10 at the gate. Children 10 and under are free.
BLUEGRASS NIGHT WITH SOUTHERN EXPRESS
7 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Make your way down to Krazy Kup for a special Bluegrass Night featuring Southern Express, a Central Florida band that originated from years of bluegrass experience. Admission is $15 and tickets can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com. Seating is limited.
FRIDAY, APRIL 28
LAST FRIDAY IN DOWNTOWN
5 to 9 p.m. at 110 N. Collins St. The Last Friday in Downtown Food Truck Rally is held with a new theme each month. There will be live music, an expanded exhibitor market, a bounce house, a scavenger hunt, food trucks and more. The event is family and pet friendly and all are recommended to bring chairs and blankets. April’s theme is Star Wars!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3
SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS WITH ESTRANGED FAMILY
6:30 to 8 p.m. at 1107 Charlie Griffind. Join other parents who are estranged from their adult children. PEAK (Parents of Estranged Adult Kids) group provides a safe place to listen, share and support others going through the hurt of adult family abandonment. Meetings will include group discussions, self-care and positive inflenced activities to help cope with the situation. PEAK is not appropriate for abusive relationships or mental illness. Meetings are the fist Wednesday of each month at GracePoint Church. For more information, visit www.peaksupportgroup.com
SATURDAY, MAY 6
BLUEGRASS JAM
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. This is an open invitation for local Bluegrass musicians and fans to come to the Krazy Kup loft and jam, clap hands, stomp feet and enjoy! Krazy Kup holds their Bluegrass JAM on the fist Saturday of every month.
SATURDAY, MAY 13
OPEN MIC NIGHT
7 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. Open Mic Night is back at Krazy Kup. Join them for a fun night where you get to be the star of the show. Come out, strut your stuff and shw everyone what you’ve got.
THURSDAY, APRIL 13
High: 85 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 46%
FRIDAY, APRIL 14
High: 85 Low: 64 Chance of rain: 24%
SATURDAY, APRIL 15
High: 87
SUNDAY, APRIL 16
High: 86 Low: 65 Chance of rain: 44%
MONDAY, APRIL 17 High: 82 Low: 57 Chance of rain: 21%
STRAWBERRY
