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Welcome to LARGO TODAY, News from the City Manager. You can find a copy of this edition and previous eNews at Largo.com/LargoToday. Stay up-to-date on the superior services the City of Largo offers to our residents, businesses, and visitors to build the "Community of Choice in Tampa Bay."
-Henry Schubert, City Manager
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THIS WEEK IN LARGO - JANUARY 27,2023 |
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Wed, Feb 1 | Summer Camp Registration Opens for Residents
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Wed, Feb 1, 6pm | Tri-City Special Area Plan Open House | Largo City Hall
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Tue, Feb 2, 7pm | Largo's Got Talent | Largo Community Center
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Fri, Feb 3, 6:30pm | Movies in the Park | Largo Central Park
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Sat, Feb 4, 9am | Community Garage Sale | McGough Nature Park
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Feb 4-5 | Train Weekend | Largo Central Park
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Tue, Feb 7, 6pm | Largo City Commission Meeting | How to Participate
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POLICE CHIEF ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AND NEXT CHIEF IS APPOINTED |
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Largo Police Chief, Jeff Undestad has announced his retirement as of June 2, 2023. Chief Undestad has led the State and National Accredited Agency for over nine years as Chief and served in the Police Department for over 33 years. Under his leadership, Largo Police Department team members, both sworn and civilian, worked to achieve their vision through strategic policing, strong community relationships and empowering leadership at all levels of the organization. The Largo Police Department is known as an example of progressive and professional law enforcement by providing superior services to the community.
Largo City Manager, Henry Schubert will appoint Deputy Chief Mike Loux to the position of Police Chief on June 3, 2023. This decision was made due to the excellent quality of existing leadership within the Police Department. Chief Loux has had a long and successful career with Largo Police, starting as a Telecommunicator in 1992, and becoming a Police Officer in 1995. During his career, he has served in various leadership positions, most recently serving as the Deputy Chief since March 2017. Chief Loux served as an infantryman in U.S. Marine Corps, earned his Master's degree from Bethel University, and graduated from the 228th Session of the FBI National Academy. He is a member of the Florida Police Chief's Association, the International Chiefs of Police Association, and a board member of the Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Association.
Please join the City of Largo in congratulating Mike Loux as the next Chief of the Largo Police Department. Under his leadership, the community can expect continued superior responsive and professional services to the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay
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LARGO CITY COMMISSION MEETS WITH LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION |
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Mayor Woody Brown, Largo City Commission, and City team members joined together at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee this week, meeting with our legislative delegation to advocate on behalf of our 84,000+ residents. City leaders are grateful for the opportunity to discuss our legislative priorities with state legislators as we work cooperatively towards making the City of Largo the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay. |
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PHASE 2 OF ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS ALONG ROSERY ROAD IN DESIGN |
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The City of Largo is currently working on a multi-phase roadway improvement project along Rosery Road that follows the principles of “Complete Streets”, an approach to ensure that streets are designed, operated and maintained for all users. Rosery Road connects two neighborhood activity centers on the north end of Downtown Largo to the Pinellas Trail and Eagle Lake County Park. Phase 1 was completed in 2022.
The project is currently in the design process for Phase 2 focusing on roadway updates along Rosery Road between Teakwood Village (near Missouri Ave N) and Eagle Lake County Park. Roadway updates will consider road rehabilitation, multi-use paths, pedestrian crossings, traffic calming, and drainage infrastructure needs.
To learn more about the project and share your input on the neighborhood survey, visit Largo.com/RoseryRoad. The survey is available in English and Spanish. Survey closes February 10.
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LARGO'S HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATES |
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Largo’s Home Improvement Program helps lower-income homeowners improve energy efficiency and safety. During the Pandemic, the program faced several supply chain impacts. Largo's Housing team is excited to announce that the Program can start including low-energy, hurricane-impact doors and windows back into the program again. This can save both on utilities and insurance costs, as well as help to protect homes in storm events.
In addition, the Program recently updated the maximum home value limits (Property Appraiser Just Value) from $189,000 to $255,500 for projects funded with federal Home Investment Partnership (HOME) funds, and $327,000 for projects funded with State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds. Over the past few years, while home values grew drastically, income levels did not grow at the same pace. The Housing Division received several inquiries from senior residents on fixed income that need a new roof or other critical repairs and were only ineligible due to the old maximum home value. As a result, Largo Housing was able to re-evaluate the pre-improvement value calculation method to still comply with the federal and state funding sources but make more homeowners eligible for the program. Mobile homes are eligible for the program only if they were built after June 1994.
Due to the significant increases in construction costs, the City’s Home Replacement Program has been put on hold indefinitely. No new applications for this program will be accepted at this time. The Housing Division will continue to research different options for materials or pre-built units that may be more affordable as replacement options for homeowners whose homes are cost prohibitive for repair.
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TRI-CITY SPECIAL AREA PLAN COMMUNITY INPUT OPEN HOUSE |
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On February 1, the Community Development Department is hosting a Community Input Open House at City Hall for the purpose of answering questions and receiving feedback regarding the current development regulations in the Tri-City Special Area Plan (LTC-SAP). The open house will be from 6-7:30pm. Homeowners’ and property owner associations, neighborhood associations and mobile home communities in and adjacent to the Tri-City Special Area are invited to attend this listening session and the meeting is open to anyone who would like to attend.
The City is considering making changes to the Comprehensive Development Code (CDC) for the LTC-SAP. Feedback from residents is essential to the potential development of new standards. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Principal Planner Taylor Hague at 727-587-6749 Ext. 7208 or at via email.
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On Wednesday, January 18, Doug Betts and Carisa Roush from the Largo Community Center hosted a new member social. Three new ambassadors who are eager to share the Community Center publication, “The Largo Lantern” within their community where they reside, were obtained at the event. They would like to distribute the Lantern every two months in their clubhouses. One attendee signed up for the overnight trip and all of the attendees provided feedback on new program ideas that the Community Center is hoping to incorporate over the next year.
At the social, attendees talked about programs they participated in, played Community Center Program BINGO, and had a lot of laughs. Carisa and Doug shared information about upcoming events and new programs that are offered including the Walker Fit class.
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HORIZON WEST BAY CONSTRUCTION |
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Construction of Horizon West Bay which will include Largo City Hall is underway. As of January 25, 2023, work continues on the following tasks:
- Sitework
- Concrete Foundations
- Underground Utilities
Road closures for the duration of the project include:
- 4th Street NW, between West Bay to 1st Ave NW
- 5th Street NW, between West Bay to 1st Ave NW
- 1st Avenue NW, between 4th Street to 5th Street
Largo’s new mixed-use complex, Horizon West Bay, sets a vision to attract new restaurants, cafes, and retailers to Downtown Largo. The facility will be located on the northern 400 block of West Bay Drive in Downtown. View more information and ways to stay informed on the latest updates at HorizonWestBay.com. Get the most up-to-date information on projects happening Downtown by signing up for the Downtown enewsletter. |
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LP & The Vinyl From Blues to Beatles to Bowie
Sunday, March 26 at 2pm
Renowned jazz, blues and gospel singer Leonard Patton teamed up with the critically acclaimed Danny Green Trio to form LP And The Vinyl. LP And The Vinyl has performed at notable festivals including the Telluride Jazz Festival, the Vail Jazz Festival and the Laguna Festival of the Arts, to name a few. Their debut album features music by The Beatles, Quincy Jones, Tears for Fears, David Bowie, Oasis, jazz standards, and original songs.
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MISSION: Provide Superior Services that Inspire Community Pride
VISION: To Be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay
VALUES: INTEGRITY | COLLABORATION | PASSION | CREATIVITY
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