Parking on Park Avenue in Lake Wales is a thing again.
At 11 AM today the barriers were removed and the newly renovated western half of Park Avenue between Market Street and First Street was opened for parking and driving. While the east section of the road remains under construction, Park Avenue is now a two-way street.
Eric Marshall, Communications and Engagement Director for the City of Lake Wales, offers this statement on the opening of the roadway and subsequent replacement of engraved bricks from Market Plaza.
“City staff appreciates everyone’s patience as we focused on pedestrian safety as construction crews used Market Street to transport mechanical vehicles and materials. Park Avenue and Market Street are accessible to motorists from First Street and Orange Avenue. Market Plaza is anticipated to open in September.
“The original engraved bricks that were located outside the Market Place Cafe have been relocated to accompany the newly engraved bricks, all of which are now interwoven/grouped together in a designated area in Market Plaza. Get ready to visit the area to locate your personally engraved brick(s). The year-long window to purchase engraved bricks closed at the end of March 2024.
“The construction on the east section of Park Avenue between Market Street and the intersection of Scenic Highway will be completed this year. Both sides of the sidewalks are accessible to foot traffic, so citizens may frequent the stores and restaurants.”
Stores and businesses on Park Avenue remained open throughout the construction. among them, Gordon Broadhead, of G’s Vintage Market, posted this on their Facebook page today:
“It has finally happened… after 273 days East Park Ave. has re-opened from Market St. to 1st Street! Yahoo!!! From Scenic Highway 17, you will have to come in on Orange Ave. and turn left onto Market St. and then right onto East Park Ave. It is now traffic in both directions. You can also come in from 1st Street. Come in and see us!”
While foot traffic is still a little slow today, Broadhead is staying positive and looking forward to good times ahead.
“I’ve been through two hurricanes here and a pandemic,” says Broadhead. “We should be good to go now.”
