by James Coulter
The newly-refurbished Market Plaza and Park Avenue area of Downtown Lake Wales will be officially unveiled to the public at a ribbon cutting ceremony to be hosted on Fri., March 7, 2025at 5:30 PM.
For the past two years, Park Avenue between Wetmore Street and 1st Street has been shut down to allow for renovations in the area. These renovations included new sidewalks, streetlights, benches, trees, and other landscape and streetscape enhancements.
“The redesign features on-street parking, enlarged sidewalks, enhanced lighting, outdoor seating, and dining areas,” the city’s website explained. “The landscape architecture comprises street trees, native plants, hanging-flower baskets, and rain gardens.”
These renovations were implemented in four phases over two years starting in August 2023. They are part of the city’s overall “Lake Wales Connected” Plan, which seeks to revitalize the city for economic growth and redevelopment.
“Lake Wales Connected seeks to build upon recent momentum, providing a strategy that aligns with the City’s legacy by using a community-based vision to direct future improvements, growth, preservation, and economic vitality,” the city’s website explained.
Now that Market Plaza and Park Avenue have been renovated, other streets in the downtown area will undergo similar refurbishments. Orange Avenue and Crystal Avenue will be rehabilitated with new street surfacing, lighting, and landscaping. These refurbishments will be funded through a federal grant and intergovernmental agreement with Polk County.
Aside from a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the upcoming celebration will also include a Taste of Downtown event with complimentary appetizers, wine, and beer being served at local bars and restaurants. To help facilitate these festivities, Lake Wales city commissioners plan to approve a special event permit for a road closure and the serving of alcohol.
That permit, along with the rest of the consent agenda, will be reviewed and voted upon at an upcoming city commission meeting on Tues. Mar. 4 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall, located at 201 W Central Ave.
