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 Largo offers residents, businesses, and visitors to build the "Community of Choice in Tampa Bay."

-John Curp, City Manager

WEST BAY DRIVE CLOSURE

On Wednesday, October 18, Biltmore Construction, the contractor for the Horizon West Bay project, will temporarily close one westbound lane of West Bay Drive. This closure is necessary to facilitate the delivery of large steel beams to the project site, specifically one 90-foot steel beam and two 80-foot steel beams. The closure is scheduled to take place from 9-11am on October 18 and will affect one lane of West Bay Drive between 4th Street NW and 5th Street NW. Adequate temporary traffic control measures will be in place, and a noise variance has been pre-approved. Additionally, United Steel is coordinating police presence to ensure safety during the lane closure.

Please contact Largo Engineering with any questions at nshaw@largo.com or at 727-587-6713 Ext. 4417 or Ext. 4402.

CASEY'S JOURNEY

Largo Public Library Director, Casey McPhee, who began her journey with Team Largo over twenty years ago, is also on a new journey of hope and help as she battles end-stage renal disease and is seeking a living kidney donor. To help support Casey and share her story, please watch and share "Casey's Journey" on social media. You can also learn more by visiting her Facebook page, Casey & the Kidney Curveball.

Gather up the family and chairs and join us tonight, Friday, Oct 13 at 6pm for Largo Live in Ulmer Park for live music, games, food trucks, and more!

CITY OF LARGO RECOGNIZES SMALL BUSINESSES

The City of Largo would like to recognize our Largo small businesses during the month of November for Small Business Month. If you are interested in having your business spotlighted during this month, please fill out this form by November 1, 2023. Small businesses will be featured on City social media pages (@cityoflargo #lovelargobiz). If you have questions, please contact Charles Stanton at 727-586-7342 or EcoDev@largo.com.

HOUSING FOR ALL VIRTUAL WORKSHOP

Discover the City's Housing for All initiative, aimed at broadening housing choices to cater to the needs of both current and future Largo residents. The City, in collaboration with its consultants, will be conducting a virtual workshop on Wednesday, October 25 at 6pm. During this workshop, participants will:

• Receive an overview of the community feedback collected from the previous "Housing for All" workshop held in July, as well as insights gathered from the online community survey.
• Gain insights into the housing analysis report, shedding light on the housing landscape in Largo.
• Have the opportunity to explore and provide input on model concept designs for "Missing Middle" housing, a critical aspect of expanding housing options.

This virtual workshop serves as an important platform for community engagement and input in shaping the City's housing strategies. Your participation and feedback are greatly valued as we work towards enhancing housing accessibility in Largo.

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, observed in October, is a time to recognize victims and raise awareness about the devastating impact of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another partner. This kind of abuse affects everyone – men, women, and children of all races, religions, and cultures – without prejudice.

In October, the Pinellas Coalition to End Domestic Violence released the Fatality Review Team 2022 Annual Report. The Coalition is focused on providing the most accurate data and information regarding intimate partner violence in Pinellas County. In the Coalition’s review of Pinellas County Intimate Partner homicides, 71% of the time, friends or family were aware of some of these risk factors. They knew but likely did not realize that these factors presented an increased risk for homicide. Please review the trends and help save lives by recognizing and understanding the seriousness of these factors of domestic violence.



If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. To explore resources and ways to support others, visit TheHotline.org or Largo.com/VictimAdvocate.

UPCOMING CO-SPONSORED EVENTS

PROJECT & CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

WEST BAY DRIVE WESTBOUND LANE CLOSURE NOTICE

On Wednesday, October 18, Biltmore Construction, the contractor for the Horizon West Bay project, will temporarily close one westbound lane of West Bay Drive. This closure is necessary to facilitate the delivery of large steel beams to the project site, specifically one 90-foot steel beam and two 80-foot steel beams. The closure is scheduled to take place from 9-11am on October 18, and will affect one lane of West Bay Drive between 4th Street NW and 5th Street NW. Adequate temporary traffic control measures will be in place, and a noise variance has been pre-approved. Additionally, United Steel is coordinating police presence to ensure safety during the lane closure.

Have questions? Please contact Largo Engineering at nshaw@largo.com or at 727-587-6713 Ext. 4417 or Ext. 4402.

DATSKO PARK CLOSURE UPDATE

Datsko Park is currently closed during the construction of the parking lot improvements. The improvements include ADA compliance improvements, parking lot asphalt pavement repairs and maintenance, concrete sidewalk improvements, and new parking lot pavement markings. This closure will be extended to Friday, October 20. The park will reopen Saturday, October 21 barring any additional unforeseen issues. 

Have questions? Please contact Largo Public Works at vhoskavi@largo.com

150TH AVE N IS OPEN TO TRAFFIC

150th Ave N has reopened to traffic in both directions between 58th Street N and 62nd Street N. The sewer manhole replacement and roadway surface repairs are complete. A temporary road closure will occur in approximately two weeks to complete the permanent pavement markings.   

Have questions? Please contact Largo Engineering at nshaw@largo.com or 727-587-6713 Ext. 4417.