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Plans for downtown include everything from redirecting the U.S. Highway 17 crossover to widening curbs on Central Avenue. Expanded and refurbished parks, improved landscaping and designer sidewalks all are part of the plans.
The main objective is to stimulate growth in the downtown area, with redevelopment costing about $600,000 annually for five years, said Cy Paumier, whose firm has done design work for Lakeland, Savannah, Ga., and a host of other cities.
City commissioners, acting in their capacity as the Community Redevelopment Agency, did not give a commitment for the plans presented by Paumier of LDR International, who was contracted to design a downtown plan for the city's Main Street program.
"This town has enormous potential," said Paumier. "I think it's like a sleeping giant because of its potential."
Widening sidewalks for pedestrian-friendly traffic. Paumier suggests that sidewalks be widened and curbs be extended at the intersection of Central Avenue and Third Street making it easier for pedestrians to cross the street.
Re-investing in trees. During the presentation, Paumier said a lot of the trees planted downtown were the wrong species and were not growing properly.
Increase parking. Paumier pointed out to commissioners that there was a building at the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Third Street that the city might want to buy in order to convert the land into parking. Known as the Hill Building, the property is owned by Steve Gold, who also owns other property downtown.
Redirect the crossover of 17. The highway crosses from Sixth Street to Third Street via Avenue A and Magnolia Avenue. Paumier suggests that the road be redirected so that Avenue A can be narrowed, and thus be more pedestrian-friendly.
Strictly an informational meeting, there was no real talk of when a commitment should be made to the project or where exactly the money would come from to fund the work. Paumier did give the initial estimate of $600,000 a year for the next five years.
Paumier said the objectives of the plan are to stimulate private investment, both commercial and residential, in the downtown area and to restore pride in the community.
"What we're trying to do is give the property owners a reason to be prideful," said Paumier. "If you get the heart and soul right, everything around it gets more valuable."
Commissioners appeared responsive to the plan, even though there is considerable uncertainty as to how the project will be funded.
"I like what I see because I've long held the approach that we should slow people down coming into the city," said Commissioner Charles Richardson.
Even though a timeline for the project is still up in the air, Ronni Wood, director of Main Street Winter Haven, said she hopes to have a commitment from the commissioners for the next fiscal year.
Paumier had many suggestions for the five-year project, saying that once the city begins improving the area, business owners will follow by also renovating their property. The project proposes that the Year 1 work consist of redoing Central Park, Year 2 Central Avenue and Year 3 the construction of a new park next to Central Park. The plans call for:
