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Commons Finally Opens To The Public

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 7, 2009

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - The centerpiece of a project dreamed up eight years ago opened to the public on Dec. 3.

Town 'N Country Commons, 7606 Paula Drive, includes a sprawling library, a senior center and a Head Start center. The Town 'N Country Regional Library is more than twice as big as the one it replaced, West Gate, which was torn down in 2007.

The new library features a separate children's wing and a teen room. It spreads over the second floor of the commons. The first floor contains community rooms, a Friends of the Library bookstore and wings for Head Start and senior citizens.

The $11 million county-funded complex was part of the Town 'N Country Community Plan, drawn up in 2000 to set goals for the area roughly bordered by Linebaugh Avenue to the north, Memorial Highway to the south, Sheldon Road to the west and Veterans Expressway on the east.

The plan included developing town centers, such as the commons. But it also addressed efforts to improve the look of the main roads, strengthen code enforcement, deal with traffic and speeding, and make the area easier for bicyclists and pedestrians to navigate.

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority opened the Northwest Transfer Center last summer at Waters Avenue and Sheldon with a shelter, restrooms and a park-and-ride lot for bus commuters.

Still to come is Shimberg Gardens, which should be ready this spring or summer next to the commons. The 4-acre garden will feature a gazebo, butterfly garden and Florida-friendly plants.

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