by James Coulter
Visitors to Lake Wales may soon be able to consume alcoholic beverages while perusing the downtown area if city commissioners approve an ordinance creating a social district.
At their workshop meeting on Wed. July 9, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed an ordinance proposing the creation of an Arts, Culture and Entertainment (ACE) District.
This social district, as explained by Autumn Cochella, Director of Growth Management, would “allow visitors to enjoy an adult beverage while strolling downtown sidewalks and exploring the local storefronts.”
The district would be created through provisions and amendments within the Code of Ordinances under Chapter 5 (Alcoholic Beverages) with associated amendments to Sections18-82 and 18-87 and sections of the Land Development Regulations (LDRs) (Chapter 23, Lake Wales Code of Ordinances).
These proposed amendments would permit signage “clearly delineating the boundaries” of where alcohol can be consumed within the downtown area, require beverages to be consumed within containers approved by the City,” and direct registered establishments to provide “signage and guidance for customers regarding the district guidelines.”
This social district was proposed to help spur further economic development and activity within the downtown area, all of which have been facilitated through the Economic Development Element of the Comprehensive Plan and the Lake Wales Envisioned plan.
“Additionally, there is a desire by the city and its residents to create a vibrant downtown that is walkable and pedestrian-friendly to encourage residents and visitors to visit more than one local business during their visit,” Cochella wrote.
“This [social district] encourages them to linger and spend more time in the downtown area. Increased time downtown equals increased window shopping, which results in an increase in sales for local businesses,” she further elaborated.
City Manager James Slaton expressed enthusiasm for this proposal, as it would allow Lake Wales to create the first social district of its kind within Polk County.
“The goal is to attract people to downtown and support local businesses downtown to sell a product,” he said. “I am pushing for this. [It is] time to do the next cool thing and be first in the county yet again.”
Both Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson and Commissioner Keith Thompson expressed their interest in the proposal. Commissioner Thompson claimed it would encourage more people, residents and visitors alike, to visit the downtown area and partake in local businesses.
“Part of what we are doing in downtown…is encouraging people to be mobile and walk downtown and…not drive your car down there,” he said. “I would hope with the creation of this district,this could be a great encouragement.”
However, Commissioner Carol Gilespie expressed some concern. She felt that, by encouraging drinking, the district would facilitate intoxication and rowdy behavior.
“If what you are doing is making it easier to walk around and drink instead of sitting in bars to drink, I do not think there is much benefit in that,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Gibson rebuffed her. He mentioned how the city has hosted many events with social drinking and not once has he ever encountered any problems involving drunkenness.
“I have not witnessed one drunk [at these events],” he said. “So let’s not leap [to thinking] that if we allow drinking, we will have drunks. We have allowed drinking, we have not had any drunks. And if we have drunks, we can take care of them.”
Commissioner Thompson likewise mentioned how he has frequented many local events that permitted drinking, and never did he experience any drunken or unruly behavior.
“I do not get the sense that we will have a problem with this [district],” he said. “Of the events we have attended, I have not seen public intoxication or drunkenness. It is only people who want to have a good time with a wine or drink.”
Police Chief Chris Velasquez addressed the commission to voice his support for the district. He mentioned that, if any potential problems were to be created from it, he would have opposed it on the spot and recommended alternative proposals.
“Thinking about this endeavor, I believe that people will act in a way that the environment promotes,” he explained. “I believe if the culture and control and management of thbis initiative isdone properly, it is not going to create an atmosphere that people can believe they can come in and get flat hammered and walk around act like a fool. If that were to begin to transpire, we can change that.”
The ordinance will be reviewed and voted upon at the commission’s upcoming regular meeting, scheduled for Tues., July 15 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall.
