By BRIAN McBRIDE
Winter Haven News Chief, 5/26/2000

WINTER HAVEN -- If the attendance of Thursday night's visioning fair was a measurement of the community's support of designed plans for the city's future, than residents are truly on board for the ride.

As the aroma of freshly-popped popcorn and sizzling hot dogs lingered in the air, there was little walking room between the exhibits at Nora Mayo Hall displaying the groundwork for the explosion of change that's set to happen.

With a series of public hearings to determine the wants and needs of the city already completed, the residents were able to discuss plans with representatives from lakes management, leisure services, Main Street Winter Haven, and the Winter Haven Police Department while gazing at photos and models of the completed products.

"I think this is fantastic," said City Commissioner Tom Freijo. "It shows the level of excitement we have in the community."

Detailed colored posters showed development planned for area lakes, including the new Lake Howard park slated for completion at the end of the year. It will feature boardwalks and walking paths through plush wetlands and flowing canals.

Also included was a drawing of a revamped Central Park that displays blooming trees around the fountain.

Leisure services featured before-and-after shots of sections of Highway 17 and Cypress Gardens Road, where beautification projects are planned.

"We like the fact that they're doing something with the mall," said resident Kelly Stanton. "It was a shame after putting in so much money to develop it."

The Orlando-based Trammell Crow Company is demolishing the mall to make way for a $20 million City Centre.

A strong portion of the buzz came from the police department's exhibit of the new police station. The facility, which was originally to be located across from the fire station in the farmer's market area, is now proposed in the Florence Villa area at First Street and Lake Silver. Deputy Chief Darrell Kirkland is expected to submit a report to the commission about the feasibility of the new location.

"I like it myself," said Florence Villa resident Betty Doles. "If anything it will help beautify First Street and they'll be a little closer to answer our calls."

Resident Eunice Paige echoed Doles' comments.

"It will give a boost to the area," she said. "I think it's a good decision."

But at least one resident supported the original location.

"I felt it was a better place where it was first planned," said Elizabeth Clement. "But I know the garden center and the farmer's market would be sorely missed."

While the plans pleased much of the adults, did the proposal support the youth of the city? Fifteen-year-old David Lundquist didn't think so.

"It really doesn't do anything for me," he said. "They should put more stuff in for the youth."