West Bay Lofts Goes South
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Aquarium CEO stepping down Man who sold the tale of tail-less dolphin to quit in March. ... Page 3A. Director Greta Gerwig reimagines a classic A new twist on an oft-told tale projects the message of female empowerment and being true to yourself. … Page 1B. Volume 41, No. 6 www.TBNweekly.com January 9, 2020 DOWNTOWN LARGO CONNECT WITH US ONLINE West Bay Lofts goes south Lack of financing puts stalled project in doubt; commissioners to discuss options Visit us at www.TBNweekly.com By CHRIS GEORGE “I’ve certainly come to the conclusion that this Henry Schubert told commissioners Jan. Follow us on Facebook Tampa Bay Newspapers 7. “There has been no construction yet www.facebook.com/ project is not viable as currently designed.” on the site, so we’re seven months past TBNweekly LARGO — Optimism abounded in June the required start date. And, at this point, when city and community leaders gathered — City Manager Henry Schubert Follow us on Twitter based on information from Mr. Tave, even downtown for a groundbreaking of Largo’s if construction were to begin tomorrow @TBNwebmaster fi rst mixed-use project, West Bay Lofts. But Mayor Woody Brown said “once we missed his deadline outlined in an agree- morning, it would not be possible to com- After waiting three-plus years, how- see bulldozers and activity, I think every- ment with the city, putting the entire proj- plete the project as proposed by the re- ever, expectations had tempered for the body will be excited for the change that’s ect in doubt. quired completion date of February 2021.” $48.8 million project that was to include coming.” “The development agreement provided According to Schubert, Tave said con- LARGO a fi ve-story building on the 500 block of Seven months later and there are still that construction was to begin by June of struction hasn’t begun because of his West Bay Drive and a three-story building no bulldozers. 2019 and that the project would be com- Society to show off on the 600 block. That means developer Gary Tave has pleted by February of 2021,” City Manager See LOFTS, page 2A gems and jewelry Members of the Pinellas Geological Society and other local gem and mineral LARGO CONSTRUCTION UPDATE ELECTIONS clubs will show their cut gems, silver and gold jewelry, and collections Fri- day-Sunday, Jan. 10-12, at the Central Park Performing Arts Center, during the Plenty of 44th annual Gem, Jewelry and Mineral Show and Sale. … Page 4A. races on Come out of your horizon shell for a race The city of Largo, along with the in Pinellas Friends of Largo Nature Parks, have teamed up to host the ninth annual Turtle Trot 5K on Saturday, Jan. 11. Local, county and state The Turtle Trot is a measured 3.1-mile flat course that will take participants posts are all up for grabs through McGough and Bonner parks’ trails, boardwalks and on neighboring By SUZETTE PORTER streets. Tampa Bay Newspapers … Page 4A. Most people are likely aware that 2020 is a presidential election year, but that’s not BEACHES the only race they’ll see on the ballot when they head to the polls for primary and gen- Polo games to be eral elections. The presidential preference primary and set at Pink Palace municipal elections in Belleair Bluffs, Bel- leair Shore, Clearwater, Gulfport, Indian It seems only appropriate that the Photo by CHRIS GEORGE Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Kenneth City, game of kings will be played at the Pink New sidewalks are part of a $3.51 million project to repair and improve the downtown section of West Bay Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Palace. Or, in other words, two days of Drive from Missouri Avenue to Clearwater-Largo Road. Starting Jan. 13, crews will begin repairing the sidewalks Oldsmar, Pinellas Park, Redington Shores, polo will be coming to the Don CeSar’s on the south side of the road, which will lead to a lane closure. Safety Harbor, South Pasadena, St. Pete famed private beachfront Saturday-Sun- Beach, Tarpon Springs and Treasure Is- day, Jan. 11-12. land are tentatively scheduled on March … Page 8A. 17. During the primary, voters registered as ENTERTAINMENT a Democrat or Republican can cast a ballot No bumps in road in favor of the presidential candidate they Jazz star Marsalis would like to see representing their party on the general election ballot in November. The presidential preference primary is a headed to Largo closed-primary election, so only registered Renowned Grammy Award-winning yet for big projects Democrats or Republicans can participate. saxophonist and Tony Award nominee Branford Marsalis will take the stage See RACES, page 4A Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Central Park Performing Arts Center. The eldest of West Bay Drive, Rosery Road improvements moving forward the famed Marsalis brothers, Bran- SEMINOLE ford gained critical acclaim through his work with jazz giants Miles Davis, Dizzy By CHRIS GEORGE • Tampa Bay Newspapers Gillespie, Herbie Hancock and Sonny TBN names Rollins. LARGO … Page 5B. hree major projects on the west side of Largo are making progress and on schedule, city offi cials say. The West Bay Drive improvement project, construction of a down- new leader VIEWPOINTS T town plaza and complete overhaul of Rosery Road are all prepared to move to the of newsroom Bob Driver next phase. Here’s a look at the projects and what lies ahead. Coming to terms Chris George to take over with cold weather. West Bay Drive improvements … Page 9A. Work began in October on a $3.51 million project to re- role as executive editor pair and improve the downtown section of West Bay Drive from Missouri Avenue to Clearwater-Largo Road. Tampa Bay Newspapers The fi rst phase of the work has focused on reconstruc- tion of the sidewalks on the north side of the road, said SEMINOLE — Tampa Bay Newspapers’ Barry Westmark, senior engineer with the city. new executive editor is Chris George, who Features “Fortunately, we’ve had no issues with the West Bay will oversee the editorial operations of fi ve Drive project,” he said. “In fact, the contractor is well ahead Pinellas County week- ly publications, two Beaches . .8A of schedule for the sidewalk replacement on the north side monthlies and several Classifi eds . 6-9B of West Bay Drive.” Westmark said the David Nelson Construction Co. had Image courtesy of the CITY OF LARGO special sections. Clearwater . .3A This rendering shows one of two new midblock George, who has Entertainment . 1-5B fi ve months to install the sidewalk and it has done it in less than three. crossings that will be part of a project to improve been the Largo Lead- Faith & Family . .10A er editor since joining Largo . 2, 4-5A Therefore, starting Jan. 13, it will begin on the sidewalks West Bay Drive. on the south side of the road, which it also has fi ve months the TBN staff in 2015, Outdoors . .12A to fi nish. motorists to consider alternate routes, such as Eighth Ave- also oversees TBN Pets . 10B The work will require the outside eastbound lane of the nue Southwest or Ulmerton Road. weekly.com and the George Police beat . .6A road to be closed until about May, so Westmark said driv- The project’s scope also includes new lighting, benches, design of Suncoast News, TBN’s sister pub- Puzzles & Games . .2B ers should expect a longer commute. bike racks and bus shelters; construction of two new mid- lications in Pasco and Hernando counties. Viewpoints . .9A “I expect the folks headed eastbound from, say, Indian block crossings; and milling, resurfacing, and re-striping of In his new position, George succeeds Rocks Road and points farther west or the beaches are Tom Germond, who retired last week after Call 727-397-5563 going to be experiencing some delays there,” he said, urging See PROJECTS, page 4A For News & Advertising See TBN, page 2A HAIR • NAILS • SKIN • MASSAGE Academy of Animal Arts & Sciences, LLC 12000 INDIAN ROCKS ROAD, LARGO AUTO ACCIDENT INJURY? Pet Grooming Special! (New Client) 727-595-9999 Diagnosis • Treatment • Rehab Any Dog Breed! Permanent Make-Up & Microblading 010920 $ Includes Wash / Dry 010220SL Attorney and Specialist Referrals 22 Nails / Ears and a Trim! SPA PEDICURE/MANICURE SHAMPOO/CUT/STYLE 25 GREG HOLLSTROM, DC & BRIAN REBORI, DC (727) 596-CLIP (2547) W/GEL POLISH 39 Long/Thick Hair Additional. 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Registration open for camp counselor program LARGO — Registration is now open for the Largo Recreation Camp Counselor Training Program. The program is for teenagers who have completed grades 7-12 and who are dedicated to working with children.