Officials excited about impending “rebirth” of west Oldsmar

While authorizing the drafting of development agreements for two new projects, officials expressed excitement about the “rebirth” of the west side of Oldsmar.

The Bayside Terrace townhome project is one of two new developments expected to rejuvenate west Oldsmar.

The Bayside Terrace townhome project is one of two new developments expected to contribute to the rebirth of west Oldsmar.

The Oldsmar City Council authorized the drafting of two development agreements last week for a couple of major projects that should go a long way towards reshaping the west side of the city.

During the September 20 city council meeting, the council gave the go-ahead for the city attorney to proceed to negotiate development agreements for the Woodlands Square shopping plaza as well as the Bayside Terrace townhome project.

While the two projects are obviously in the early stages, officials expressed excitement about the impending redevelopment of that area of Oldsmar.

Oldsmar Mayor Doug Bevis.

Oldsmar Mayor Doug Bevis.

“I’m excited about it,” Mayor Doug Bevis said of the Bayside Terrace project, which is expected to bring 165 townhomes, plus a private dock and public park to a vacant 24-acre parcel at the western entrance of the city.

“I think it’s going to be the rebirth of that area over there.”

“This particular area…actually caused the defeat of an annexation, and it’s actually kind of rewarding to see it being developed today,” Council member and city historian Jerry Beverland said.

“So it’s a good feeling to vote for this.”

Prior to unanimously approving that item, the council unanimously authorized proceeding with a development agreement that calls for a major renovation of the Woodlands Square shopping center.

The Woodlands Square Shopping Center in Oldsmar is set to undergo a major redevelopment after the City Council unanimously approved proceeding with a development agreement last week.

The Woodlands Square Shopping Center is set to undergo a major renovation after the Oldsmar City Council unanimously authorized proceeding with a development agreement last week.

According to the plans, a 23,000-sq.-ft. portion of the west end of the plaza, located at the intersection of Tampa and Curlew Roads, will be demolished and replaced with 23,000-sq.ft. of new construction, with some tenants being relocated to other parts of the property, and new ones added, including a national grocery store and a 10,500-sq.-ft. retail store in the center of the expansive parking lot.

In addition, the movie theater will be completely revamped to offer new food and beverage services as well as wider aisles and more comfortable seating.

“I’m excited to see when the unnamed grocery store is named,” Council member Gabby McGee said.

A purple pin marks the Google Maps spot where Mattamy Homes plans to built a 16d-unit, gated townhome community at the southwest entrance to Oldsmar.

A purple pin marks the spot where Mattamy Homes plans to built a 165-unit, gated townhome community in Oldsmar.

“It’s exciting,” Bevis added.

After the meeting, the mayor spoke about the projects.

“I haven’t seen the product, but I know they produce a nice product,” Bevis said of local homebuilder Mattamy Homes, the developer of the townhome project.

“To go from a trailer park to a 165-unit townhome community is going to be great.”

As for the shopping center, Bevis was equally enthused about its future.

“The mall was dying on the vine,” he said. “To see the new stuff coming in, and national chains wanting to be part of that, it’s nice to see.”

“It’s kind of a rebirth of the plaza, and a new birth with the townhome development. It’s exciting for the city.”

Related content:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *