New year brings questions, few answers

Good news: Railroad Square is on track. A dog park and recreation and aquatics center open.

By JODIE TILLMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published December 30, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - Pasco's most populous city has more questions than answers as it heads into 2008.

Questions like ... who will take over as city manager now that Scott Miller has left for Kansas?

When will developers finish Main Street Landing, once touted as the crown jewel and now considered an eyesore?

And will state efforts to cut property taxes sock the city in 2008?

Stay tuned: The city manager search begins in earnest in January and Main Street Landing developer Ken McGurn said he's still hoping to jump-start his project. And talk of property tax reform isn't going away.

A few things appeared to stay on track this year. Construction of a long-awaited streetscaping project, Railroad Square, should go out to bid this spring.

Developers and the city are continuing to negotiate the terms of the redevelopment of the Hacienda Hotel, which now includes the addition of 25 residential units on a planned parking deck.

Morton Plant Mease Hospital got approval for a $39-million expansion plan, an important step as the city's other hospital - Community Hospital - gets ready to leave for Trinity as early as 2009.

And 2007 was a banner year for the recreation department. The new $14.1-million recreation and aquatics center opened. Workers finished improvements to the James E. Grey Preserve, and the city's first dog park made its debut in December.

The April election added two new faces to the city council, former parks and recreation director Bob Consalvo and local businessman Rob Marlowe. Councilwoman Marilynn deChant kept her position.

Expect more political intrigue in 2008. Two council seats - now held by Mayor Dan Tipton and Deputy Mayor Ginny Miller - will be up for grabs this year. Tipton has already said he won't seek re-election, opting instead to run for Pasco County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Miller has not revealed her plans.

Jodie Tillman can be reached at jtillman@sptimes.com or 727869-6247.

[Last modified December 29, 2007, 21:01:58]