Lake Wales recently finished two related projects, part of an ambitious, multiyear plan to revitalize downtown and attract new businesses. The city held a ribbon cutting March 7 to celebrate the renovations of Park Avenue and Market Plaza.
- Lake Wales, Florida, recently completed renovations on Park Avenue and Market Plaza to revitalize its downtown area.
- The project, inspired by a 1931 city plan, features a pedestrian-friendly design with new landscaping, lighting, and wider sidewalks.
- While some business owners faced challenges during construction, many are optimistic about the future of the downtown area.
“Our goal was to incorporate a wide variety of plants which would complement one another in their own way and that would not take away from the historic charm of the downtown,” Drumgo said by email.
The Park Avenue renovation took about two years, finishing roughly four months behind schedule. The city faced a setback last year when it became apparent that bricks on the street’s surface were shifting under the weight of vehicles, while a drainage system along a two-block stretch was not functioning properly.
The City Commission, in its role as board of directors of the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency, approved spending about $138,000 to fix the problems. The city offered $5,000 grants to Park Avenue businesses affected by the disruptions of the project.
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