Volume 27 Issue 13
Inside:
Bayscape Bistro: No Longer A Best-Kept Secret!!
June 14, 2019
See pgs. 22-23!
Now Celebrating 25 Years As New Tampa & Wesley Chapel’s Primary News Source! The Direct-Mail News Magazines Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Since 1993! For the complete list of the neighborhoods that receive this publication by direct mail in New Tampa (zip code 33647), see page 42!
Transportation Efforts Taking Shape the stretch of I-275 from Bearss Ave. to the 275/I-4 interchange, better known as “malfunction junction.” While the I-75 project is well under way — the northbound ramp from I-4 to I-75 already has been completed — the enhancements on By JOHN C. COTEY I-275 were awaiting an important vote john@ntneighborhoodnewscom on June 11, after we went to press, by Thanks to the widening of Bruce the Hillsborough County MetropoliB. Downs (BBD) Blvd., getting around tan Planning Organization (MPO), on New Tampa is not the teeth-gnashing, whether or not to add the project to fist-waving, eye-bulging experience it its five-year transportation plan. had been in previous years. Both projects could substantially And soon, local commuters could improve drive times for New Tampa resibe saying the same for driving outside dents who work in south Tampa or even of New Tampa, as the Florida DepartSt. Petersburg — or for anyone trying to ment of Transportation (FDOT) has a get to Tampa International Airport. number of big projects, both underThe current I-75 and potential way and potential, all around the area. I-275 projects may be on the outskirts David Gwynn, FDOT's district of New Tampa, but District 7 Tampa secretary of transportation, recently City Councilman Luis Viera sees both spoke at a North Tampa Bay Chamber as very important to our area. of Commerce breakfast, providing up“Those roads are vital to the many dates about a host of projects FDOT residents we have here who work in currently is working on or has planned. Tampa,” says Viera, a Hunter's Green “We’ve got some big projects A mile-long, two-lane southbound exit is expected resident who frequents the interstates going on,” Gwynn said, adding that to relieve much of the congestion at the I-75 and on his daily trip into downtown Tampa. one of the biggest challenges at the moment is finding enough contractors I-4 interchange, an all-too-familiar bottleneck for “Clearly, these are much-needed improveto do all the work at reasonable prices New Tampa-area travelers. (Photo: Aerial Innova- ments that will benefit a lot of people.” tions, Inc. via fdottampabay.com) The biggest FDOT project, by due to a bustling economy. far, is replacing the existing Howard Most notably for local commut“We’re probably taxing the coners, improvements are coming to two Frankland Bridge, which will cost struction industry,” he said. “That’s $800 million. For those who work in major trouble spots — the southprobably the thing we worry about bound exit lane at I-75 and I-4, and the most.” See “Roads” on page 4.
First Look Inside:
The Florida Department of Transportation's plate is full of projects that will impact New Tampa commuters.
What's coming?
A brewery/restaurant, for one thing, and maybe some new announcements about the Village at Hunter's Lake.
Page 6
Bayscape Bistro
Why our editor calls the restaurant at Heritage Isles Golf Club a “hidden gem.”
Pages 22-23
Cool Summer: A/C Work To Begin At Local Schools! By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com When the half-penny school sales tax referendum passed in Hillsborough County last year, the promise was that aged roofs and floors and playgrounds would be repaired, athletic tracks would be repaved and classrooms and fire evacuation systems being upgraded, just to name just a few much-needed enhancements. But, what got Wharton High's Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) president Kristie Scism most excited was much cooler than all those things. “The air conditioning,” Scism says. “It may not be the best thing, but it was the one thing I was most excited about.” Hillsborough County Public Schools announced last week that teams of workers have begun moving into the 21
schools that will receive an overhaul or replacement of their existing AC systems. While every school in New Tampa except for Hunter's Green and Tampa Palms elementaries is scheduled to get upgraded AC in years 1-5 of the school tax referendum, only Wharton High, Benito Middle School and Clark Elementary are among the 21 schools having the work done this summer. Over the next 10 years, funds from the half-penny sales tax are expected to overhaul or replace the A/C systems at 203 schools, or about 20 each summer. “It's pretty miserable when the A/C breaks,” Scism said, adding that it has been an all-too common occurrence at Wharton. “It gets to be like a sauna in some rooms. It's very hard (for students) to concentrate in those conditions.” Intermittent air conditioning at times has also been a complaint of parents and teachers at Benito and Clark for years.
Worth A Try
It's the hottest of local hot buttons, but while the Metro Lagoon at Epperson may not be for everyone, it's worth a visit.
Pages 33-34