Building the community of choice in Tampa Bay is all about serving you. It’s about what we do and why we do it. So what’s Largo been up to lately? Check out a few of the highlights and visit  Largo.com/Connect  to learn more.

- Lauren Fatkin

Web & Marketing Specialist I 587-6740 I lfatkin@largo.com

For the second year in a row, the City of Largo is pleased to announce that our community has been chosen to receive the Florida League of Cities’ 2019 Home Rule Hero Award!

During the 2019 State Legislative Session that ended on March 6, the effort, dedication and proven advocacy for municipal home rule could not have been done without the hard work of Mayor Woody Brown, Vice Mayor John Carroll, Commissioner Jamie Robinson, and Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator, Cheryl Reed (recipients of the Home Rule Hero Award in 2018 and 2019). Also crucial to the City’s ongoing advocacy accomplishments are the efforts of City Manager Henry Schubert.

During this past legislative session, team members from the Community Development and IT Departments also assisted freshman Representative Jennifer Webb (District 69) with land management information about Largo that she sought from several cities while researching proposed legislation on short-term rentals.

The collaborative effort of elected officials and staff team members, working together, is an integral piece of both Largo’s and the Florida League of Cities’ grassroots legislative advocacy. Largo is truly an inspiration for municipal officials statewide.

- Cheryl Coller Reed

Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator I 586-7452 I creed@largo.com

On April 27, Largo Fire Rescue and the Largo Community Center hosted "Denying Gravity" a theatrical performance put on by the Senior Actors Guild and Education Services (SAGES) that educates on fall prevention. With over 200 citizens in attendance, many health and safety agencies were also on site to educate citizens on fall prevention resources. In addition to the talented actors, Largo Firefighters Lt. Timothy Anthony and Firefighter/Paramedic Will Murphy had a cameo appearance in the play. Chief Pittman opened the play with a welcome to the audience and shared some shocking statistics on the frequent nature of falls in our community. Falls are one of the leading EMS calls for service City and County wide, with Pinellas County citizens experiencing over 27,000 falls in 2018. Visit largo.com/safety to book a fall prevention presentation for your community!

- Summer Mahr

Public Education Specialist I 587-6740 I smahr@largo.com

Square Peg Development LLC, will be holding a groundbreaking event to recognize the start of construction for the West Bay Lofts project. The groundbreaking will take place on June 5, at 9:00 am on the 500 block of West Bay Drive in downtown Largo.

West Bay Lofts is a $49 million mixed-use project located on two city blocks in downtown. The project will be comprised of 123 market rate apartment homes above 40,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space in two structures. In addition, a bridge will be constructed on the second floor to connect the two structures and provide access to the apartment amenities for the residents.

City leaders will be in attendance for this groundbreaking and they are looking forward to the start of construction for West Bay Lofts. “The project will bring much anticipated activity to the downtown as well as providing another new housing opportunity for the many workers in the area. I am looking forward to the re-emergence that this project will provide in downtown once it is completed,” added Mayor Woody Brown. “We strongly believe that West Bay Lofts will be a catalyst for further redevelopment in downtown Largo.”

West Bay Lofts has been designed to encompass innovative, efficient construction methods and incorporates design elements and materials to reduce energy and water consumption and maintenance requirements in order to produce buildings for the next century. Features will include a hotel-style looped hot water system, one of the largest roof-top solar power installations in the county and the region’s first automated valet parking system.

The public is welcome to attend the groundbreaking and learn more about the project. Perspective residents or commercial tenants can find more information on West Bay Lofts at www.westbaylofts.net .

- Teresa Brydon

Economic Development Manager I 586-7342 I tbrydon@largo.com

Staff has launched a new landing page, Largo.com/ShortTermRentals, to help residents find all the information they need about recently adopted regulations for short-term rental properties. The page features frequently asked questions, a summary of the rules for short-term rentals, helpful links and applicable documents. Visit Largo.com/ShortTermRentals today to learn more.

- Brandon Graham

Multimedia Supervisor I 587-6740 I bgraham@largo.com

LARGO LIVE CONCERT SERIES

Stay local and enjoy great music, good food, beer and wine in Largo Central Park. Soul Circus Cowboys reached Billboard’s Top 50 Country chart with their record “Tailgate Country”. They will bring a polished yet gutsier, grittier kind of country rock to the music scene to Largo Central Park on May 17 from 7:00pm-10:00pm. FREE Admission! What better way to kick off the weekend?

June 21, brings artist Chris McCarty to the stage. The charismatic performer writes several of his songs and has been noted to take his audience on a pop-rock musical journey.



- Kara Piehl

Special Events Coordinator I 587-6720 I kpiehl@largo.com

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY

Join the City of Largo in honoring those who have lost their lives while fighting for our country. The 2019 Memorial Day ceremony will be held on May 27 at 7pm, in Largo Central Park's Military Court of Honor. This evening will include a color guard presentation, music, a wreath presentation in remembrance of our fallen soldiers and our Keynote Speaker, Rev. Fr. Robert “Bob” Swick.

Father Bob served in the United States Marine Corps where he was active duty for over four years and earned a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He is the Chairman and CEO of the Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance and he serves locally as a missionary to Veterans throughout Tampa Bay.

This event is sponsored by Serenity Gardens and was organized by Largo’s Memorial Day Planning Committee. This event is free and open to the public. Largo Central Park is located at 101 Central Park Drive. For more information, visit LargoEvents.com or call (727)587-6720.



- Kara Piehl

Special Events Coordinator I 587-6720 I kpiehl@largo.com