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Good Morning Neighbor,

Now that it’s officially October, it feels a little more like fall around here. Don’t tell Mother Nature that just yet, but we’re getting some nice moments here and there. I’ll take what we can get!

Baseball playoffs are underway, too, if that’s your thing. The Rays kick off a five-game series against the Yankees tomorrow, which should be a fun one.

Happy Friday! Hope you have a great weekend!

-Mike

Extras:

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Each newsletter includes the latest event information available at the time of publication.

1st Friday at the Lutz Whistle Stop Depot
Lutz Whistle Stop Depot, Lutz
Friday, October 2 | 3:00 PM–5:00 PM

Spend Friday afternoon browsing local finds at the Lutz Whistle Stop Depot, with Goober's Gourmet on hand for tasty treats. Shoppers can explore vintage treasures, handcrafted décor, and other unique goods while enjoying music and a relaxed community atmosphere. The event offers an easygoing opportunity to shop, eat, and support local vendors.

New Chipotle Opens Near Land O’ Lakes

Chipotle just added another location north of Tampa. The new restaurant opened September 29 at 22820 State Road 54 in Lutz, near Land O’ Lakes, and is open daily from 10:45a-10p.

This one also has a Chipotlane, so orders placed ahead through the Chipotle app or website can be picked up at the drive-through without getting out of the car.

Brightline Tampa Extension Faces New Uncertainty

For anyone following the possibility of Brightline eventually reaching Tampa, there’s a new wrinkle. Brightline’s parent companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on September 24 to restructure $5.5 billion in debt, although the trains currently running between Miami and Orlando are not part of the bankruptcy and continue operating normally.

Brightline says it still plans to pursue the Orlando-to-Tampa extension, but there’s still no finalized route, Tampa station location or construction timeline. And despite hopes for what rail could eventually mean for Wesley Chapel commuters, no Wesley Chapel-area stop has been announced. For now, the bankruptcy simply adds more uncertainty to a project that was already a ways off.

Wesley Chapel Road Work is Good Right?

The timing could be better since school just started, but this project is getting started. FDOT is in the middle of a $19.8 million project covering 7.3 miles of SR 56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, with work expected to continue through fall 2027.

It’s more than just repaving. The project includes changes to the Meadow Pointe Boulevard merge onto SR 56, along with intersection improvements, drainage work, signal upgrades and new lighting. Drivers should expect overnight lane closures to pop up along both roads as the work continues.

Wesley Chapel Water Bills Going Up

Here’s one you may notice on your next bill. Pasco County Utilities rates increased October 1, with the average residential bill for a household using 6,000 gallons a month going from $91.99 to $96.32, an increase of $4.33.

The increases are helping fund utility infrastructure, including an expansion of the Wesley Center wastewater plant on Boyette Road from 6 million to 9 million gallons per day. And this isn’t the last increase: the county’s approved plan calls for 4.75% annual increases in 2027, 2028 and 2029.

TPA Is Finally Getting a Dunkin’

At this point, I just love updating you about TPA. Tampa International Airport is getting its first-ever Dunkin’, with the new location scheduled to open later in October.

You’ll find it on the south end of the Rental Car Center near Remote Bag Check. It’ll have the Dunkin’ staples like coffee and donuts, plus nearby grab-and-go sandwiches and salads from an extension of The Beach Market.

Pebble Creek Housing Plan Moves Forward

After years of back-and-forth, there’s been a major development at the old Pebble Creek golf course. Hillsborough County commissioners voted 5-2 to approve rezoning the property for residential development, moving GL Homes closer to building a new neighborhood on the site, which has been dormant for five years.

The debate isn’t finished, though. Some Pebble Creek residents support the project and say the deteriorating property needs improvement, while the group Save Pebble Creek plans to appeal the county’s decision, meaning the nearly five-year fight could continue.

New Community Park Opens in Wesley Chapel

There’s a new place to hang out in Wesley Chapel. Avalon Park Group officially opened its new community park in downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel on September 25, complete with live music and family activities for the celebration.

The park also officially has a name: Avalon Park Common, submitted by community member Desiree Gutierrez as part of a naming contest. And there’s more coming, with a bandshell scheduled to open at the park in early 2027.

Events Reminder:

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