Town centers on the rise: San Ann and Pasco County’s vision for development

By Brooke Brinker, Staff Writer

There are two town centers in development: one by the town of St. Leo, near the University Campus, and one in Pasco County, on the interstate.

The mayor of St. Leo, Vincent “Mike” D’Ambrosio, voted to move forward with development of the St. Leo town center earlier this year. He wanted to provide entertainment, shopping, events, and, of course, community space. 

“The town center will be created in phases,” according to an article by University Communications on the Saint Leo University Community News page.

“The initial phase likely will include addressing stormwater issues, renovating one of the historic structures into a history center, and creating new buildings that the current businesses (On Q Smokehouse and A Cup of Organic) will have the opportunity to occupy.”

The town of St. Leo’s main goal is to increase community involvement.

Moving forward, Pasco County also has a town center on the way. 

The development is located at the southeast corner of the I-75 interchange, where it meets State Road 52, in Pasco County.

According to Barbara Behrendt, as reported in the Tampa Bay Times, there will be 6,000 new jobs as companies come and move into the new Pasco County town center. They are also planning to implement a high-speed internet system to support incoming businesses.

Behrendt also reported that Northpointe Development LLC is expected to bring 2,400 jobs to the industrial area north of State Road 52 at the I-75 interchange.

Emily Vandercar, a sophomore majoring in criminal justice, expressed her eagerness about the new developments so close to Saint Leo University.

“I am most excited about going out with my friends,” Vandercar says, “having a good time enjoying the new town center, and seeing what it has to offer.”

Both town centers are creating new, significant opportunities that are exciting—Saint Leo with its welcoming community aspect, and Pasco County with its focus on economic development and technological advancement. The outcomes of these new town centers will have a great impact on their communities with all the hard work the town of Saint Leo and Pasco County are putting in.

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