Park Avenue Streetscape Design Unveiling Postponed to July 30

The initial unveiling of drawings for the proposed Park Avenue Streetscape in downtown Lake Wales has been postponed three weeks but the public will have multiple opportunities for input.

"We are bending and swerving and I think it's actually going to turn out better," said Lake Wales MainStreet Director Karen Thompson.

An in-person open house originally scheduled for July 9 was postponed due to concerns about the COVID-19 virus. Thompson said an online session now will be held July 30 to show the renderings produced by design engineers from S & ME, the project consultant.

"We're going to have plenty of opportunities for their voices to be hear prior to the 30th," Thompson said. Those who would like to participate in the online session should pre-register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mRNDkY6oTmmbwTSEboJX-A

Main Street also will set up a 10-foot rendering of the proposed Park Avenue designs in an empty building downtown at 220 E. Park Avenue along with a large screen with a 3-dimensional showing, Thompson said. People are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing as they view the plans from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 31.

"You're going to almost feel like you're on Park Avenue," she said.

The Park Avenue streetscape is the first segment of the proposed Lake Wales Connected redevelopment project. Its design elements are expected to form the basis for future phases of redevelopment. Funding for the project will come from the city's Community Redevelopment Agency, which has trust funds and receives a tax increment based upon increases in property values. CRA Chairman Robin Gibson, the city's vice mayor, has indicated support to move forward with borrowing funds for the redevelopment projects, while interest rates are low.