FLORIDA:US-19 will take center stage in Pasco County.There are more than 800 businesses along US 19, which is considered one of the busiest highways in Florida, and unless something is done to change the image of US-19, some Pasco leaders worry more businesses will be forced to close or relocate.
86,000 cars drive each day on US-19. You’d think that would provide a lot of opportunities for businesses, but the problem is there are 8 lanes, making it it’s nearly impossible to focus on driving and find a business across the road that you might be interested in.The West Pasco Chamber of Commerce will unveil plans to renaming US-19 in Pasco to disassociate with the dangerous, blighted reputation it’s had for decades.
The county also received more than a million dollars to add palm trees and landscaping and install high speed wifi in light poles, giving all the businesses and customers’ internet access along the highway.Plus, they’re working to install new signs to highlight businesses along the route.Greg Armstrong, a Pasco Co. Realtor explained, “We want them to know why the chicken crossed the road because there might be something they want on the other side.”
Chamber of Commerce leaders say this is so important because U-S 19 makes up 30% of the tax base in Pasco County.Armstrong says it could also mean increasing property values for the 1/3 of West Pasco residents that live along US-19, “Even businesses off US19 should care because this is what people see when they come into Pasco and we want them to go ‘wow’ instead of ‘oh no’.”
