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Perhaps it's time for west Pasco to dream big.
That slice of the county has the highest concentration of businesses and residents. Its 10 percent foreclosure rate is also the county's highest. Its housing stock was built for retirees who have moved on and many neighborhoods lack a defining feature that creates a sense of place.
"It was very poor foresight in development," said Michael Fallon, a 76-year-old retired transportation manager from New York City.
That's what county growth management chief Richard Gehring is trying to fix. That's why he wants to dream big.
"People will ultimately create the community they want," he said Tuesday night during a community meeting to outline strategies to redevelop west Pasco. "The plan has to be big enough to be motivational."
County planners will hold three more meetings over the next month to gather more feedback on their ideas. Other stops include New Port Richey, Port Richey and Hudson.
Ideas include reconfiguring some stretches of U.S. 19, improving access to parks along the Gulf of Mexico and creating central gathering points in neighborhoods that give people a sense of civic pride.
For the full article, visit the St. Petersburg Times.
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