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Good Morning Neighbor,

School is out, summer is in full effect, and the weekend is finally here. Thankfully, we're seeing a little more of the weather we'd normally expect this time of year. After some unusually dry stretches lately, the afternoon rain showers seem to be making a comeback.

Summer camps are ramping up, routines are getting shuffled around, and the calendar probably looks a lot different than it did a few weeks ago. Whatever you've got planned, I hope you get a chance to enjoy the weekend and spend some time doing something you love.

-Mike

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Cuban-Mexican Spot Bringing Food & Music To Wesley Chapel

A new local food destination could be opening in Wesley Chapel as soon as mid-June. Guac & Roll, a Cuban-Mexican concept that started as a food truck, is preparing to open a permanent location on Wesley Chapel Boulevard with outdoor seating and a stage for live music.

The menu will feature tacos, burritos, quesadillas, Cuban sandwiches, ropa vieja, slow-cooked pork, rice bowls, smoothies, coffee, and more. Owners Keilin Fernandez and Hector Ramirez say they want the space to feel like a community gathering spot where people can enjoy fresh food, live music, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Rays Stadium Plan Moves Into Next Phase

The proposed Tampa Bay Rays stadium and entertainment district took another step forward last week, but the biggest decisions are still ahead. Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa approved a preliminary agreement that keeps negotiations moving on a project that supporters say could eventually bring $8 billion to $10 billion in development around the Dale Mabry corridor and Raymond James Stadium.

County leaders point to new state funding for Hillsborough College and the potential redevelopment of Drew Park as major benefits. But not everyone is sold yet. Tampa City Council member Bill Carlson, whose vote helped advance the proposal, says questions remain about public funding, infrastructure needs, and whether the final deal will make financial sense for taxpayers. More detailed agreements are expected to come back before local officials later this summer.

Pebble Creek Rezoning Heads Back To Vote

The long-running fight over the former Pebble Creek Golf Course isn't over yet. Hillsborough County commissioners are scheduled to vote again on June 9 on a proposal from GL Homes to rezone the property for residential development.

Residents who oppose the project say New Tampa has changed significantly since the issue was first considered and want more research done on infrastructure, traffic, and environmental concerns. Meanwhile, GL Homes says community outreach efforts have increased support for moving the project forward. If you've been following this debate, June 9 will be a date to watch.

Tampa Closes In On Housing Goal

Housing affordability is still one of Tampa’s biggest challenges, but city leaders say progress is being made. The city has now reached about 8,300 of its goal to create 10,000 affordable housing opportunities, with roughly 4,000 more units currently under construction or in development.

The effort goes beyond new apartment buildings. Tampa has also invested in home rehabilitation projects, helped more than 400 families become homeowners through down payment assistance programs, and provided rental assistance to thousands of residents. Major developments in West Tampa and downtown are expected to add thousands more affordable and workforce housing units in the coming years.

Tampa Bay Scores Big In State Budget

A lot of Tampa Bay projects survived the budget process in Tallahassee, and some ended up receiving more funding than expected. The proposed state budget includes:

• $50 million for the Hillsborough College campus overhaul tied to the future Rays stadium project in Tampa
• $7.5 million to improve East Lake Road, a busy commuter corridor connecting Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties
• $500,000 for the Tampa Theatre's centennial restoration and expansion project
• $4.8 million for Hillsborough County's African American Arts & Cultural Center
• $4 million for emergency generators across Pinellas County
• $10 million for a new Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office training center

The budget still needs final approval and could face vetoes from Governor DeSantis, but for now, several major transportation, cultural, public safety, and redevelopment projects across the Tampa Bay area appear to be moving forward.

A Huge Thank You to our wonderful local partners!

Zephyrhills Finds A New Path Forward

It's always nice to see a community find creative ways to breathe new life into overlooked spaces. Zephyrhills has been working to turn vacant, abandoned lots into new homes by forgiving old code enforcement liens that often made the properties too expensive for buyers and developers to touch.

City leaders say the approach has already helped spark new construction in the downtown area, bringing more families, investment, and activity to the community. The goal is simple: take empty lots that have sat unused for years and turn them into homes that help strengthen Zephyrhills' historic small-town charm.

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

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