Dover Kohl Plan

I would like to thank Lake Wales News.Net for allowing me to become a guest columnist.

The City Commission, sitting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, has unanimously adopted what is known as the "Dover Kohl Plan." The Plan, entitled "Lake Wales Connected," will serve to redevelop the historic core of our town – by connecting the Town and Bok Tower, building connections between Downtown and the Northwest Neighborhood, and between Lake Wailes and the Downtown.

I will be writing a series of articles explaining how the Plan works, how it will be paid for, and how everyone in town will benefit. Each article will be short, easy to read, and make only one point at a time. Eventually, these short but numerous articles will be a collection of information designed to explain the entire project.

The first series of articles will explain the purpose of a Community Redevelopment Agency, how its projects work, and how those projects are funded with what is called tax increment financing. Succeeding articles will go into the Dover Kohl Plan itself, explain its features, and the scheduling for its implementation.

As the series progresses, I will welcome comments and will seek to respond to questions and concerns.

I hope you find the effort to be helpful.

Robin Gibson

Deputy Mayor and Chair,

Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency

[email protected]