Chain of Lakes Complex … Make No Little Plans

Posted by Bob Gernert on May 15, 2008 at 8:27 am

Satellite view of proposed master planning DRI

City Commissioners, staff, Chamber and Main Street representatives heard a preliminary overview of how redevelopment of the current Chain of Lakes Stadium/Southwest Complex property is likely to proceed. The City actually plans to trigger a “Development of Regional Impact” study (DRI) on a major portion (approximately 200 acres) of the community’s southwest quadrant bounded on the north by Avenue O, south by the Lake Lulu/Shipp canal, east by Park Lake/First Street South and west by Lake Shipp. Local developer Tony Binge presented the conceptual scenerio involving commercial, residential and enhanced public access to the Chain of Lakes.  City staff underscored that the plan will provide for all amenities currently found on the Chain of Lakes property including a new facility for Theatre Winter Haven, a new aquatic center and other recreational amenities. Public access to Lake Lulu and the east shore of Lake Shipp would be greatly enhanced.

The master plan being contemplated will produce land use guidelines including more inter-city in fill development of a very high quality as well as an increased emphasis on Chain of Lakes access and appreciation, connectivity to walking trails and downtown.

The information was shared during the City’s annual planning retreat where those present outlined a vision for the city both five and ten years in the future. The areas of emphasis included Economic Development, Community Neighborhoods, Lakes, Leisure, Growth and Development and City Services. The City continues to use the results of the “Our Future By Design” visioning document as a significant benchmark for planning purposes. The document was developed in 1999-2000 by a broad cross section of Winter Haven residents (approximately 200 participated throughout the process).

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REMARKS   2 Total remarks on this post. Add your own remarks below

  • May 18th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
    jeff Stevens

    Could we possibly be any more vague about this plan? Lets see it says that we will get a theater and swimming pool with some enhancements. There will also be continued study about what to do with the property. The “Master Plan” is what?
    Could you supply any more defining possibilities or ideas that are being considered or a summary of the meetings? It just seems that after such a long period of time as well as the input of such leading organizations as City Commissioner’s Chamber, developers, there must be be more information to be shared.

  • May 27th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
    jim

    Now this is where Winter Haven should have a park…….its a safe area and could be a jewel for our City.

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