Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
This rendering of the completed intersection of Park Avenue and Scenic Highway shows the narrower crosswalks and new landscaping that will mark the western side of Scenic Highway through the heart of Lake Wales.
The $11 million Park Avenue reconstruction project is entering its final phase with the reconstruction of the intersection of Scenic Highway with the important downtown street. The work will require the closure of Scenic Highway at that location for approximately 90 days, according to construction plans and officials.
A statement issued by the City of Lake Wales says that the closure will begin Tuesday, October 22. Once this final phase in completed, the entire length of Park Avenue will be open to two-way traffic from Scenic Highway to Wetmore Street.
The project will see the removal of a left-turn lane on Scenic Highway, resulting in a shorter crosswalk for pedestrians walking from the large city parking lots on the east side of Scenic Highway to access downtown shopping and dining.
The reconstruction of Park Avenue is one phase of an expansive reconstruction and beautification effort being undertaken as part of the Lake Wales Connected plan. The community-developed effort includes the creation of safer, tree-shaded streets and better sidewalks, along with new bike tracks, lighting, and enhanced landscaping.
Other work being undertaken under the Connected effort includes the expansion of the downtown Market Plaza, which is very near completion.
The effort has caused headaches for downtown merchants and their customers, who have dealt with multiple and confusing closures and reopenings. To support ongoing business, the city commission has partnered with Lake Wales Main Street and the Citrus Connection to provide a free downtown shuttle called the Squeeze, which ferries shoppers to and from their destinations. The commission also awarded $5,000 grants to merchants on Park Avenue to help make up for the loss of business during the closure.
The back-breaking work of placing more than 100,000 bricks by hand along the length of Park Avenue is proceeding rapidly despite delays caused by two hurricanes in recent weeks. This trio of workers from project contractor Gomez Construction were busy placing bricks into an interlocking herringbone pattern following the installation of new drainage basins beneath West Park Avenue.
The Connected plan is being funded by a combination of federal grants and bond monies. The city received an award of approximately $22.9 million this summer that will pay for the complete reconstruction of First Street north of Central Avenue.
Other streets planned for makeovers include East Orange and East Crystal Avenues, which will see improved street surfaces, sidewalks, lighting, rain-gardens and landscaping.
The ambitious Connected plan seeks nothing less than the re-invention of the city's urban center. It includes a plan to remove the aging Grove Manor public housing project and replace it with a new mixed use neighborhood of apartments and single-family homes and cottages. That project recently qualified for federal housing tax credits, and work is expected to begin on phase one in coming months.
Over the next few months crews will be reconstructing and resurfacing the intersection of Park Avenue and Scenic Highway to create new ADA-accessible sidewalks and curbs, high-visibility crosswalks, stormwater drainage and gateway features. A three-cycle traffic signal will allow traffic to flow smoothly through the intersection.
Detours will direct motorists to bypass the construction site by traveling along Central Avenue or East Orange Avenue, which will connect via Wetmore Street.
Freight trucks are being encouraged to detour off Scenic Highway at Mountain Lake Cutoff Road or Hunt Brother's Road via US 27. Motorists are encouraged to use caution when traveling through the construction detours and surrounding streets.
Reader Comments(0)