Lake Wales announces Park Avenue substantial completion, ribbon cutting and upcoming projects

City staff told the commission that the Park Avenue and Scenic Highway intersection is open to traffic, signaling substantial completion of the downtown improvement project. City manager said only minor punch-list items remain and that a ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for the 7th at 5:30 p.m. downtown.

The manager reported recent meetings with the Florida Turnpike Enterprise and the Polk Transportation Planning Organization to revisit alignments on a project impacting Lake Wales; officials said they expect follow-up from those agencies. Staff also noted commercial activity: Chipotle and Starbucks are currently under construction on North Highway 27.

Commissioners praised the Park Avenue work: Deputy Mayor Gibson and others contrasted the current project favorably with previous decades of downtown planning. Mayor Hillgoss said the city has secured $23,000,000 in grant funding to continue related projects and described the improvements as a catalyst for private investment downtown.

Next steps: City staff will complete punch-list items, proceed with the ribbon-cutting event, continue coordination with Turnpike/FDOT/TPO staff and update the commission on alignment options and community outreach.