Riverview/ Apollo Beach
April 2025 Volume 23, Issue 4
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CELEBRATING 23 YE ARS OF PUBLISHING POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS
RIVERVIEW RESIDENTS INVITED TO SHAPE COMMUNITY’S FUTURE
By Brian Bokor
tal impacts. Residents have voiced concerns regarding traffic congestion, pedestrian and cyclist safety and emergency evacuation routes. The PD&E study aims to address these concerns by evaluating alternatives to alleviate congestion on U.S. 301 and I-75, along with local arterial roads and at several US 301 intersections. Collins pointed out the significance of the Riverview Community Plan, noting its existing “wording specific to the Highway 301 Corridor District” and “defined Downtown District.” At this time, the PD&E study will look at different alternatives for adding capacity to U.S. 301, including providing toll lanes along the corridor, along with a no-build (or do-nothing) alternative, again stressing the importance of your input in getting this PD&E approved. To ensure community needs are met and to strengthen grant applications, resident input is crucial. Residents are encouraged to participate by visiting https://selmonstudies. com/us-301-study/ to take a survey. Information on the broader Hillsborough Plan and volunteer opportunities can be found at https://planhillsborough.org/. The existing Riverview Community Plan is available at https://planhillsborough.org/planriverview/. The project is in its early stages, with future public engagement opportunities planned as the PD&E study progresses. Contact Collins at collinsj@plancom.org or 813-582-7335 and Andrea Papandrew at papandrewa@plancom.org or 813-6651331. Keisha Pickett Boyd, representing THEA, can be reached at keisha.boyd@tampa-xway.com or 813-272-6740, ext. 211.
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Hillsborough County’s Planning Commission and the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) are calling on Riverview residents to actively participate in shaping their community’s future, particularly concerning a potential infrastructure project along U.S. 301. The core of this initiative involves updating the Riverview Community Plan, originally adopted in 2006, to align with THEA’s study of potential improvements to U.S. 301. This study, prompted by rapid population growth and resulting traffic congestion, will explore options including the extension of the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and potential elevated toll lanes, similar to Selmon West Extension. “We are at the very beginning of this project,” stated the Planning Commission’s Jay Collins, emphasizing the importance of early community input. “This is your chance to reprioritize Riverview’s goals in 2025 moving forward.” The Riverview Community Plan, encompassing 13 goals related to community character, economic development and transportation, is under review. Officials are specifically seeking feedback on land use and mobility strategies along the U.S. 301 corridor. THEA’s Bob Frey highlighted, “We welcome as much information from the start as possible,” stressing the value of community input in the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study. “The more input we get at the beginning, the better (for the study).” This study, a process developed by the Florida Department of Transportation, will evaluate various alternatives for adding capacity to U.S. 301, including toll lanes, while assessing social, economic and environmen-
CHUBBY CHECKER, THE KING OF THE TWIST, BRINGS A NIGHT OF NOSTALGIA TO RIVERVIEW
Staff Report
each, with all great seating options on a first-come, firstserved basis. Available seating options include: • Front-row VIP seating for $120 • Second-row VIP seating for $100 Chubby Checker, the man who made “The Twist” a worldwide sensation, will • Third-row VIP be performing live in Riverview at The Regent on Friday, April 18. seating for $90 Get ready to twist the night away Rows four through 15 for $50-$85 with one of rock ‘n roll’s most iconic (limited availability). legends! Chubby Checker, the man who A ticket grants attendees access to a made “The Twist” a worldwide sensaone-and-a-half-hour performance with tion, will be performing live in Riverview a 20-minute intermission. Fans can enat The Regent on Friday, April 18. Fans joy the show with available concessions of all ages will have the chance to expeand alcoholic beverages throughout the rience a once-in-a-lifetime concert with night. the King of The Twist himself. The conEvitebrite promotion details promise, cert is an event by Candy Apple Agency “Don’t miss your chance to see a living a company that typically produces triblegend up close and personal. Whether ute acts including Micheal Jackson, The you’re a lifelong fan or new to Checker’s Beatles and Prince. But, for this special music, this concert promises to be a nosshow, the real Checker himself will be talgic night of fun, dancing and unforperforming. Checker, the man who redegettable tunes.” fined the dance craze with his infectious Special seating accommodations are hits including the introduction of “The available for those with accessibility Twist” to the world at the age of 18 in needs — please email info@candyap1960 at the Rainbow Club in Wildwood, pleagency.com for assistance. Parking is New Jersey. The song went on to top the free for this event. Billboard Hot 100 not once but twice — The Regent is located at 6437 Watson first in 1960 and again in 1961. Thanks Rd. in Riverview. The doors open for the to a powerful performance on The Ed event at 7 p.m., and the concert starts Sullivan Show, “The Twist” became a at 8 p.m. cultural phenomenon, and Checker’s Tickets are available on Eventbrite or legacy as the King of The Twist was cethrough https://candyappleagency.com/ mented forever. under events. Get ready to groove to Checker’s greatest hits, including the timeless “The Twist,” “Let’s Twist Again,” “Limbo Rock,” “Pony Time,” “Slow Twistin’” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” NEW YMCA DIRECTOR....... .............PG 3 This electrifying show will have every- TONY BARONI TEAM........................PG 7 one up on their feet, twisting and danc- 15TH CRAWFISH FEST...................PG 15 ing through the decades of music that EYE ON BUSINESS..........................PG 34 shaped the sound of the ’60s. General admission tickets are $45 SUMMER CAMPS...................SECTION 2
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