Greetings from the newest beach in Pasco County

Sunday, July 1, 2007

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Sunwest Harbortowne will be a mixed use development in Hudson, including a marina and a beach being installed on a freshwater lake. (Slideshow)

The Sunwest Mine property in Hudson, where lime rock was the payoff for decades, is being turned into an upscale, mixed use development.

Called Sunwest Harbortowne, the 2,340 acres owned by Sunwest Acquisition will include residential property, a marina and a beach being installed now on a freshwater lake.

"What is the best use of this property? asked development executive Bob Carpenter. "Is it better to mine this property or go ahead and develop it and let people enjoy the amenities out here? The possibilities are endless."

While Sunwest Mine converts a man-made lake to a resort area, the lake just south of it owned by Pasco County will become a park with a freshwater beach. The channel in between will have seven boat ramps and parking for 250 vehicles and boat trailers.

New Beach In Pasco

A mixed use development with a beach is being built in Hudson.
E-mail Michelle Kay, the TV reporter on this story.

"We expect this to be a magnet hub for the development of western Pasco," Carpenter said.

Sunwest also plans to dredge the channel out to the Gulf, providing better access. That part of the project includes a lift that will move boats from the lake to the channel.

Developers hope to begin construction on Harbortowne by December of 2008.

Sun West has operated a limestone mine on the property for more than 50 years. Most of that limerock has been used for roads and pavement across the Bay area, including Highway 19 and the Suncoast Parkway.