Lake Wales Connected Plan Earns State Recognition

The Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency has been presented with the prestigious Florida Redevelopment Association Award for outstanding "Planning Study for Small Cities."

The FRA annual awards program recognizes the best in redevelopment in the state of Florida. Selected by a statewide jury of community development professionals involved in economic development, winners demonstrate originality and positive impact on their communities and serve as a shining model for other Florida communities. The city was recognized for its Lake Wales Connected plan, developed with extensive community input by the South Florida planning firm Dover Kohl & Associates.

"Winners in this year's competition demonstrated an outstanding focus on creativity, collaboration, and innovative projects that ignite activity, interest, redevelopment, and investment," remarked Gail Hamilton, President of the Florida Redevelopment Association.

On behalf of the Lake Wales CRA, Karen Thompson, Assistant Director, received the award at the annual Florida Redevelopment Association conference, which due to the coronavirus pandemic, was transformed into a virtual awards event. "I am very excited about the Lake Wales Connected plan receiving this award, this plan was truly community driven therefore the entire community will champion it through to fruition."

The Lake Wales Connected plan exemplifies not only innovation and positive impact, but a bold vision for both downtown and the Northwest Neighborhood. It inspires these two diverse neighborhoods to collaborate in reactivating their districts. Thompson continued with, "we are ready to get to work and let the revitalization begin."