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(164) stories found containing 'Lake Wales CRA'


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  • City Explores Legal Action to Take Back Historic Walesbilt Hotel

    Chevon T. Baccus APR|Updated Dec 20, 2021
    1

    Lake Wales city commissioners at their March 16 meeting are expected to authorize legal action that could lead to the city taking back the historic Dixie Walesbilt Hotel. Also called the Grand Hotel, the 10-story structure built in 1926 remains empty and only partially restored since it was turned over to developer Ray Brown more than 10 years ago. The city spent about $7,000 for attorney Kevin Ashley with the Peterson Myers Law Firm to research whether the city has grounds...

  • Charter Schools Arrange $1M Loan to Restore Old School

    Updated Oct 19, 2021

    A million-dollar second mortgage will fund the renovation of the original 1919 Lake Wales school building into new classroom space under action taken by the Lake Wales Charter School System. The building has been a white elephant and neighborhood eyesore for many years, and the plan brings relief to many. The path to the new loan was cleared Wednesday evening by the Community Redevelopment Agency board, which recorded no opposition to the mortgage being offered by Citizen's...

  • CRA Contemplates $18.5 Million Bond Issue to Fund City Improvements

    Updated Sep 15, 2021

    A bond issuance exceeding $18 million dollars is contemplated under an agreement being considered by the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) at their next meeting Wednesday evening. Funds from the bond sale would be utilized for a variety of community redevelopment projects within the boundaries of the CRA, including the Lake Wales Connected plan. Under the award-winning Connected concept, the CRA plans to revamp several blocks of Park Avenue between Scenic...

  • Innovative "Pocket Neighborhood" Planned for Long-Vacant Scenic Highway Property

    Updated Sep 11, 2021

    Twenty-four young oaks planted this week along South Scenic Highway in Lake Wales mark the first step in the development of a new "pocket neighborhood," being created by noted urban planner Victor Dover and his wife, architect Maricé Chael. The innovative infill project will occupy a long-vacant parcel lying between the Grove Motel and the SR 60 overpass. The development will be built over several years in "micro-phases" beginning with "phase zero," Dover told...

  • Mixed Use Plaza Planned for Lincoln Avenue

    Brian Ackley, City of Lake Wales|Updated Sep 3, 2021

    The Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency has agreed to sell a parcel of land at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and B Street on which developers have proposed a mixed-use building that includes both commercial and residential space. After the city issued a request for proposals, two bids were received to develop the vacant tract, currently owned by both the city and CRA. Florida Development Corporation was unanimously approved as the firm to move forward with its...

  • City Pledges $1 Million Toward Grove Manor Redevelopment

    Brian Ackley, City of Lake Wales|Updated Jul 23, 2021

    The Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency has given its tentative approval to contribute $1 million towards the proposed redevelopment of the Grove Manor housing complex. Officials from both the city and the Lake Wales Housing Authority have been meeting for a number of months now, largely to ensure the project fits in with the award-winning "Lake Wales Connected" redevelopment plan that includes both the historic downtown business district and northwest neighborhood. Thos...

  • City Awaiting Word Whether Governor Will Suspend City Commissioner

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Jun 9, 2021
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    Lake Wales City Attorney Chuck Galloway has been tasked with trying to find out if Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to suspend City Commissioner Kris Fitzgerald from office pending the outcome of her criminal case. Fitzgerald was arrested June 3 on two felony charges for allegedly taking an 11-year-old boy from his home without permission and threatening him with a loaded handgun. She was released from the Polk County Jail Saturday, June 5 after posting $11,000 bond. At the end of thei...

  • Grants Available for Housing Repairs in Northwest Neighborhood

    Updated May 29, 2021

    The Lake Wales City Commission, serving as the city's Community Redevelopment Agency, has set aside up to $68,000 for a new Legacy Housing Rehabilitation Program. This program is designed to pay respect to the seniors living in the Northwest Neighborhood by doing exterior improvements to their homes. These improvements include repairs or replacements of the roof and painting the outside of the home. In addition to the improvements, each home will receive a raised planter to...

  • MainStreet Launches New Logo and Brand

    Updated May 29, 2021

    Lake Wales Main Street is proud to launch a vibrant new logo and brand. The rebranding initiative reflects the alignment with the revitalization of Downtown Lake Wales. The new logo draws inspiration from the distinctive Rhodesbilt Arcade building in downtown. The rebranding includes a redesign of the non-profit's logo, printed materials, signage, and other marketing communications. "Downtown Lake Wales is experiencing an explosion of growth with new businesses, events, art,...

  • Affordable Housing Initiative Kicked Off with Groundbreaking May 1

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated May 6, 2021

    Eleven shovels broke ground Saturday, May 1 to signal the ceremonial start of an affordable housing initiative in the city's northwest community. "I hope you feel as optimistic as I do about the future of Lake Wales," said Lake Wales City Manager James Slaton. "We are providing hope to families to move into beautiful homes." The groundbreaking was for the first two homes being built as a partnership of the Keystone Challenge Fund, the city's Community Redevelopment Agency,...

  • Commissioner Gibson Announces Plans to Run for Mayor in 2022

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Apr 29, 2021

    At the end of his last official meeting April 20, City Commissioner Curtis Gibson announced plans to run for Lake Wales mayor in 2022, saying he is "excited for new adventures." Gibson decided to not seek re-election this year, saying he wanted to spend more time with family – including an infant son – and complete his bachelor's degree this summer. Mayor Eugene Fultz has publicly stated he plans to step down in 2022. Gibson and outgoing Commissioner Al Goldstein will be rec...

  • New City Horticulturist Starts Planting Project by Mural

    Brian Ackley, City of Lake Wales|Updated Apr 22, 2021

    Lake Wales Main Street's most recent mural project at Scenic Highway and Stuart Avenue called "Slice of Happiness" is about to get a whole lot happier. With a new full-time horticulturist hired by the city, Lester Gulledge is making one of his first priorities the beautification of the area around the nearly 100-foot long mural that was completed by artist Gillian Fazio late last fall. "If you go out there right now, you're going to see some piles of debris and dirt. That...

  • Taproom and Coffee House Opens Downtown

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Apr 22, 2021

    The Ranch Taproom and Coffeehouse in downtown Lake Wales officially opened April 16 with enthusiastic crowds and rave social media reviews. Owners Jessica Garrett and her mother, Cathy Becton Garrett, were pleased with the successful opening. "Opening weekend was incredible and the support we received from the city, Mainstreet and the community was greatly appreciated," Garrett said. "Being Lake Wales natives we are excited to be a part of downtown. We look forward to being a...

  • Drone Helping with Local Crime Fighting

    Brian Ackley, City of Lake Wales|Updated Apr 15, 2021
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    Collaboration between different city departments is a daily occurrence at Lake Wales City Hall. But one of the more unique partnerships help show the good side of Lake Wales and is an important tool in putting bad guys behind bars. A city police drone is one of the latest tool's in the department's crime fighting tool kit. But part of the purchase price was covered by the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency, which uses the drone to provide aerial video of projects like...

  • City Adopts Framework to Offer Incentives to Redevelop Distressed Property

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Apr 1, 2021

    Lake Wales City Commissioners have adopted a new incentive program to encourage redevelopment or restoration of distressed properties. Commissioners earlier this month approved a memorandum of understanding that can be used as a framework for future redevelopment agreements. The program would allow redevelopers access to funds they provided to purchase publicly owned properties or to pay off code enforcement liens. Instead of the city keeping or spending the funds, the...

  • Community Street Mural Project to be Completed Over Feb. 19-21 Weekend

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Feb 19, 2021

    Editor's Note: Due to expected rain, the opening ceremony has been moved to 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20. Artist E.J. Nieves of Ocala will be painting a street mural over the Feb. 19-21 weekend in the city's northwest business district and the community is invited to participate. An opening ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19 for the mural at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and C Street. A food truck will be on hand serving breakfast. In addition to Nieves,...

  • Local Attorney Sara Jones Kicks off Development in Northwest Business District

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Feb 17, 2021

    Lake Wales attorney Sara Jones has spent hundreds of hours volunteering to help redevelop the city's Northwest business district. On Tuesday Feb. 9 she took the first step to, as she said it, "put her money where her mouth is." Sara Jones Law submitted the successful proposal to purchase two city Community Redevelopment Agency lots on Lincoln Avenue to build a multipurpose professional office building and event venue. City commissioners, who serve as the CRA Board, accepted...

  • City's New CRA Coordinator Already Has Full Agenda

    Brian Ackley, City of Lake Wales|Updated Feb 17, 2021

    Darrell Starling already has an ambitious agenda in place following his recent hiring as the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Coordinator. In particular, Starling will work closely with the city[s Northwest neighborhood, one of two areas specifically targeted by the city's ambitious and award-winning "Lake Wales Connected" revitalization plan which also covers the historic downtown business district as well. City leaders expect to break ground on the early...

  • Judge Gives Kebabjian More Time, Documents to Fight Seminole Hotel Foreclosure

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Feb 17, 2021

    Lake Wales city officials were hopeful the foreclosure sale of the historic Seminole Hotel would be ordered Feb. 12, but instead Circuit Judge Dana Moore agreed to allow current owner Harout "Henry" Kebabjian to continue his fight to develop the property. The city now will have to produce a large volume of documents related to the Seminole. Just a week before the foreclosure hearing Kebabjian's lawyer asked the court to have the city produce five years' worth of documents,...

  • Shovels to be in the Ground by Summer for Lake Wales Connected Revitalization Plan

    Brian Ackley, City of Lake Wales|Updated Feb 11, 2021

    City leaders are anticipating shovels in the ground this summer in what will be the first project in its award-winning "Lake Wales Connected" revitalization plan for the historic downtown and northwest neighborhood areas. The Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) approved several measures this month which set the wheels in motion on several projects in both areas. The board approved an agreement with Chastain-Skillman Inc. that will provide construction documents...

  • Good News: Onward and Upward

    Robin Gibson, Contributing Writer|Updated Feb 11, 2021

    This is the 13th installment in the Lake Wales Renaissance series. Lake Wales City Commissioner Robin Gibson serves as Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the city's Community Redevelopment Agency. 2020 is been a bummer. It's time for some good news for 2021. We've got it. Dover-Kohl's "Lake Wales Connected" plan is coming off the drawing boards. It will be going out for bids this Spring. The pretty pictures you've seen -- in reality they are only promises. This summer the shovels...

  • City's CRA to Purchase Vacant Lots to Jumpstart Affordable Housing Initiative

    Brian Ackley, City of Lake Wales|Updated Jan 27, 2021

    The Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency has approved spending $10,000 to purchase two vacant lots on B Street to help jump start a new affordable housing initiative in that area. The city is expected to partner with Keystone Challenge Fund, a non-profit organization, to build two houses on lots currently owned by the Green and Gold Foundation across the street from the B Street Center. Officials said the homes would have an estimated value of $170,000, with mortgage...

  • Collections and Research Center Dedicated Jan. 23 to Honor the Late Mimi Hardman

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Jan 27, 2021

    Bright sunshine broke through the dreary morning Saturday, Jan. 23 as friends, family and history buffs gathered to celebrate the opening of the Mimi Hardman Collections and Research Center. Named for the city's most noted historic preservationist, the center is located on South Scenic Highway in the newly restored 1916 Seaboard Airline Freight Station. Known for developing the historic Depot museum, bringing millions of dollars in historic preservation grants to the city and...

  • Seminole Hotel Owner Can't Convince Commissioners to Suspend Foreclosure

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Dec 11, 2020

    Lake Wales City commissioners in a workshop session Dec. 9 indicated support for continuing with their foreclosure action on the historic Seminole Hotel. Only Commissioner Curtis Gibson expressed interest in holding off on the foreclosure and working with Henry Kebabjian, who purchased the hotel in August at a bargain basement price of $10,500. "Here's the deal," Gibson said. "We want to be pro-business. We want entrepreneurs to come into our city and work with us." But City...

  • Design Team Unveils Market Plaza Redevelopment Concepts

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Nov 19, 2020

    Design team members for the Lake Wales Connected downtown revitalization plan on Nov. 18 unveiled concepts for turning Market Plaza into a community gathering place. About 30 people participated in an online open house to see two concepts for the central square between Stuart and Park avenues. Attendees were told the 1931 historic clock, designed by the famed Olmsted Brothers Landscape Architects and relocated to the marketplace as part of the downtown revitalization in the...

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