WINTER HAVEN -- Establishing pedestrian and bike trails, improving deteriorating downtown sidewalks and adding more trees and shrubbery to barren city areas were improvements pitched to city officials Wednesday by urban designer Cy Paumier, who has been contracted by Main Street Winter Haven to design a five-year development plan for downtown Winter Haven.

Paumier displayed current photos of dilapidated conditions that include cracked sidewalks, roadsides dressed in weeds and dead or dying trees in park areas. But the road to remedy the eyesores begins with the public and private sector coming together to agree on design concepts, Paumier said.

"I think this community has a great future," he said.

He further suggested the community utilize its natural resources by promoting some of the roadways bordering the Chain of Lakes that exhibit pristine settings.

The city has the opportunity to improve its tax base as beautifying the heart of the city area has historically attracted the outside population to the area, Paumier added.

"Often times they come away with the impression of the town by the way the downtown looks," he said.

Paumier is expected to coordinate efforts with the city's visioning efforts and community redevelopment agency officials concerning the appearance of the surrounding city sections.

In addition, he'll work with Lakes Manager Mike Britt on developing a rails-to-trails project, which will create a recreational trail from Winter Haven to Lake Alfred.

Some downtown areas are already on the right path, Paumier said as he praised the styles of some business signs and canopies.

"I think your focus is exactly right," said Dan Costello, co-chairman of the visioning committee. "I hope in five years you'll have nicer pictures of downtown."

Paumier will present periodic updates on design concepts to city officials before submitting a preliminary plan by late summer.

Paumier, who is the urban design director and co-founder of Maryland design firm Land Design Research International, has lectured on urban development throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Canada. He authored "Designing the Successful Downtown," a publication that illustrates the design principles that LDR supports in planning for city center regeneration and development.

"i think he's on the right track," said Main Street Winter Haven Executive Director Ronni Wood."