News Items for New Tampa

New Fire Station

October 2009:  Tampa Fire Rescue received a federal grant of more than $1.6 million to help build a new Fire Station in Cross Creek.  Construction of the station will start by the end of the year and should be done in two years.  The station will serve New Tampa and unicorporated parts of Hillsborough County.  Tampa Fire Rescue plans to hire 36 people with grant's $4 million over five years. 

 Home Buyers Tax Credit

November 12  2009:  Senate has past to extend the Homebuyer Tax Credit. 

A:  First time Buyer Amount of Credit $8,000 Married or $4,000 married filing separate.

B:  May not have had an interest in a principal residence for 3 years prior to purchase.

C:  Termination of Credit; Puchases after April 30, 2010.

D:  So long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1 2010 to close.

E:  Income Limits;  Increased income limits are effective as of date of enactmen of bill.  New Limits are $125,000 Single; $225,000 married.  Additional $20,000 phase out on income. 

F:  Limitation on cost of purchased home is $800,000 Starting 11/07/09

G:  Purshaser must attach docmentation of purchase to tax return.

Bruce B Downs Construction Delayed:

Summary of the Article: 11/16/09

County public works officials said major road construction has been delayed until early 2010 to prevent the throughfare connecting Hillsborough and Pasco counties from becoming a parking lot during the holiday season.  The project will take about 2 1/2 years. 

The county estimated spending $104 million on the Bruce B. Downs Blvd. segment that would expand the road to 8 lanes. 

The widening project is scheduled for three phases.  The first phase would be 3.4 mile stretch from Palm Springs Blvd. to Pebble Creek Drive.  About 60,000 vehicles a day travel that portion of Bruce B. Downs. 

The second leg of the project would be shortest, running from Pebble Creek Dr. to North of County Line Rd. 

The commissions recently approved a planned third segment form Palms Spring Blvd. to include the Bearss portion of the road in the construction Plan.

Reporter Kenneth Knight can be reached at (813) 259-7413.

Going Green New Tax Credits:  2009/2010

Previous tax credits for energy efficient remodeling weren't big enough to spur much activity.  So the federal government has sweetened the pot with higher limits and more eligible improvements.

Going Green Here are a few Basics:

Energy efficiency, water conservation and sustainable products are all key components to going green.

Energy efficiency:  

Look for higher-efficiency HVCA equipment, appliances, water heaters, ventilation  and recovery along with windows, doors, and insulation.

Water Conservation:  

Consider low-flow or dual flush toilets, low-flow faucets and shower heads, hot waterrecirculaiton pumps and water harvesting.

Sustainable products:

Insits on products from renewable sources and with a higher recycled content.

Manufactures are offering more green products in answer to higher demand.  But do your research and watch out for"greenwashing," which means the products and services that are touted as being green buy really arn't.
Besure to find a professional remodeler who's certified in green building.  Check with the Tampa Bay Builder Association (TBBA) for a list of Certified Green Professionals in the area.  They have the education and expertise you are looking for.  Plus, ask about the terrific tax incentives now available for green remodeling.

What's Cover by the Tax Credits:

In 2009 and 2010, tax credits of 30 % of the cost-up to $1,500- are available for the following energy-efficient improvements to exsiting homes only:

A.  Windows and Doors
B.  Insulation
C.  Roofs(metal and asphalt)
D.  Heating, ventilating and air-conditioning.
E.  Water Heaters (non solar)
F.   Biomass Stoves

Through 2016, tax credits are available of 30% of the cost-with no upper limit-for the following energy-efficient improvements:

A.  Geothermal heat pumps.
B.  Solar Panels.
C.  Solar water heaters
D.  Small wind energy systems
F.   Fuel Cells

Find out more on the Web at www.energystar.gov/taxcredits.
Be sure to check the guidelines before choosing products because many brands of windows- don't qualify under the government's new, more stringent standards.  Local power companies also offer incentives for energy-efficient renovation.  Progess Engery, for one, offers a $400 rebate to homeowners whose projects are Energy Star-certified.

For more information you can go to this complete article at www.florida-homebuyer.com  September/October issue 2009.

11/19/2009  Hillisborough Schools win $100M Grant

Hillsborough Schools Win $100m grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  School Board voted to accept the grant.  The grant with local dollars for a seven period that would overhaul the school system.