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Good Morning Neighbor,

Hope you had a great Fourth of July! Whether you spent it with family, at a fireworks show, or just enjoyed the long weekend, I hope it was a good one. If you were lucky enough to have a short work week too, even better.

Now let's catch up on what's been happening north of Tampa.

-Mike

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Home Depot Moves One Step Closer

This has been one of those stores people have been asking about for years, and it looks like it's finally gaining some momentum. Plans for Wesley Chapel's first Home Depot have cleared another county hurdle and would bring the home improvement retailer to Cypress Creek Town Center along State Road 56, across from Tampa Premium Outlets.

The proposed store would include a 107,600-square-foot main building, a 28,000-square-foot garden center, and about 350 parking spaces. The project is still working its way through the approval process, so there's no opening date yet, but it would give local homeowners and contractors a much closer option than driving to Zephyrhills or New Tampa.

A Look Inside MacDill's Legacy

I came across a really interesting story about MacDill Air Force Base that puts into perspective just how important it has been to both Tampa Bay and the country. Established in 1941, the base helped shape our region's growth and is now home to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), where military operations across the Middle East are coordinated.

With America's 250th birthday this year, it's a neat reminder that one of the country's most important military bases has been right here in our backyard for decades. If you're a history buff or just enjoy learning more about our area, it's worth checking out.

A Peek Inside America's Best Airport

I've always thought it's pretty cool that so many people consider Tampa International Airport the best airport in the country. Right now, it's in the middle of its biggest expansion in decades, and for the first time, the public got a behind-the-scenes look at the massive Airside D project.

The new $1.52 billion terminal will add 16 new gates and help TPA grow from serving about 25 million passengers a year to 35 million. Construction is on schedule, with the terminal expected to welcome its first passengers in 2029.

Hillsborough Schools Reach New Milestone

Our friends at Neighborhood News do an incredible job covering the Wesley Chapel and New Tampa communities, and they recently highlighted some great news for local schools. Hillsborough County Public Schools earned its first-ever A rating from the Florida Department of Education after receiving B grades the past two years.

The story also notes that 8 of New Tampa's 11 public schools earned A grades this year. Tampa Palms Elementary improved from a B to an A, Wharton High moved up from a C to a B, while Turner-Bartels K-8 slipped from an A to a B. Freedom High received a C again this year.

As more families move here, having great schools matters more than ever. It's always good to see positive news like this.

Another Major Project Eyes Wesley Chapel

Over the past several years, Wesley Chapel Boulevard and Old Pasco Road have been transformed by major road projects, including the completion of the Overpass Road overpass. Now, as much of that work begins to fade into the rearview mirror, there’s still more happening just south of Cypress Creek schools.

Pomelo Square would bring 417 homes, nearly 43,000 square feet of retail space, a hotel site, parks, and pedestrian paths to the northeast corner of Old Pasco Road and Overpass Road near I-75. The proposal is still in Pasco County's review process, where traffic, utilities, and other infrastructure will be evaluated before construction can begin. If approved, the current target for completion is early 2028.

Tampa History... With a Beer

This one definitely caught my attention. Drunk Tampa History is exactly what it sounds like: a local history talk served with a side of beer. Local historian Manny Leto takes the audience through Tampa's past in a relaxed, entertaining way while everyone grabs a drink at Shuffle Tampa.

This year's event is Wednesday, July 15, celebrating Tampa's 139th birthday by exploring how the Hillsborough River helped shape the city. Along the way, you'll hear stories about pirates, mobsters, neighborhood history, and the people and places that made Tampa what it is today. Tickets are $10, and there will also be trivia, raffles, prizes, and cake. They tend to go quickly, so you may not want to wait too long if this sounds like your kind of night.

Pasco County Animal Services Presents: Gloria

Gloria (A043351) is a beautiful 2-year old brindle & white mixed breed who was brought to PCAS as a stray in January. Gloria is social with other dogs – she participates in Play Group, but this sweet girl is a little unsure of herself. Sometimes she warms up to play, and other times she stands on the sidelines just watching. Gloria would blossom in a home where she feels loved and secure… a place where she can overcome her shyness. (Special thanks to Stronger Shot Adoption Photos for Gloria’s glowup pic!)

Pasco County Animal Services
19640 Dogpatch Lane
Land O Lakes, FL 34638
Wed - Thurs 12-5:00pm
Fri - Sat 12-6:00pm
Sun - 12-5pm
(813) 929-1212
MyPasco.net/PAS

A Huge Thank You to our wonderful local partners!

We’ll be on Instagram with updates wherever we end up. Feel free to slide into our DM’s.

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