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Developer has vision of business, families converging

By Stephanie Hayes
Published December 17, 2006

People grazing over fresh produce on a Saturday morning. Families roasting marshmallows in a fire pit while watching Disney movies on an outdoor screen.

That's the vision Alan Charron has for his shopping center on Linebaugh Avenue.

"What we want to do is create a synergistic environment," said Charron, developer of the Avenue, an 11-acre mix of shops, offices and restaurants near West Park Village.

Charron hopes to open a farmers' market in the 4-acre undeveloped space under the TECO power lines. In addition to selling fruits and vegetables, Charron wants to enlist nurseries that already cater to Westchase homeowners as vendors.

"You're actually dealing with the growers who tell you how to take care of the plants," he said.

The market would be modeled after projects in Winter Park and Celebration.

Charron's company is already working with the Florida Department of Agriculture to make it happen. He is seeking people in the community to help operate the market.

Also in the pipeline: the movie screen.

"We've explored what it would cost, and we've explored how to get it done," he said.

The name of the development is changing from the Avenue at Westchase to Westchase Town Center. Charron found that the Avenue had already been registered by another developer.

Charron explained his plans to the Westchase Community Association on Thursday night.

Some board members had previously asked Charron to plant vegetation around the back of the development to soften the look for homeowners in West Park Village.

However, Charron worried about trees providing a hiding place for criminals.

He said at least three cars parked behind the center have been burglarized.

"I disagree with your thought that three or four more trees are going to add to the crime," said board member Mary Griffin, who lives in West Park Village. "I asked for trees five months ago."

No problem, Charron said.

"Mary, if you want the trees, I'll put in the trees," said Charron, who also plans to add security cameras and hire off-duty Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies to patrol the area.

The center was supposed to open in 2003, but code violations, negotiations with TECO over a parking area and bad weather slowed the process.

Construction started in summer of 2005. But hurricanes made it hard to get building materials, and the project was again delayed. Shops finally started to open in August.

"We're finally through the construction phase," said Charron, who is reviewing a punch list of final details, including an absent wheelchair ramp to be installed in coming days.

There is one vacant space on the ground floor of the center, and many on the top floor. An accounting firm, a dentist's office, a mortgage company and a fitness center will open on the top level.

Homes are coming too, but not for a while. Charron said those site plans are still being developed.

Charron said he's still learning about farmers' markets and town centers, and welcomes feedback from the community.

"We're open to suggestions," he said. "We're all part of the family out here."

Stephanie Hayes can be reached at (813) 269-5303 or shayes@sptimes.com.

[Last modified December 16, 2006, 20:52:29]