Posts filed under 'City of Winter Haven'
Posted: November 11, 2009: 3:53 pm
Roger Griffiths, Executive Director of the Lake Region Lakes Management District (often referred to as the Canal Commission) reported at their October Board Meeting that lake levels in the southern Chain of Lakes were 1 foot 4 inches below 2008 levels (and last year’s parade barely made an abbreviated route). With disappointing rainfall levels from this month’s late season tropical storm, it appears certain that the canals will not be deep enough to allow the parade to go on.
Over the years the Chamber has learned that the success of the Boat Parade lies in people being able to navigate their boats through the Chain to form the parade in Lake May. Current levels severely limit boats with only a driver — not to mention fully loaded craft.
The Chamber does not like to disappoint boaters or the thousands of people who watch from shore … but safety is our first priority and shallow canals cause too many problems. The parade will return when lake levels do.
We are making the announcement at this time to allow residents who have “Parade Parties” to plan accordingly.
Photo credit: Lake Cannon by Sean O’Shaughnessy
| See other posts filed in: Chain of Lakes, Chamber Events, City of Winter Haven
Posted: October 29, 2009: 8:34 pm
A number of Downtown events will make the most of Halloween both Friday and Saturday nights this weekend. There’s fun and fright for most anyone and everyone. Mark your calendar and bring your friends and family. All the details below:
Ghoul’s Night Out
Friday Night, October 30
The City of Winter Haven will present a great night for ghosts and goblins of all ages at Ghoul’s Night Out from 6 – 9 p.m. Downtown the fun starts in the parks.
Terror on the Ridge – Bedlam Asylum
Friday and Saturday Night, October 30 and 31
Ridge Art presents “Terror on the Ridge – Bedlam Asylum” recommended for ages 12 and up. Special “Lights On Tour” from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Friday only) for the faint at heart. ($3 per person) Then, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. the Terror returns. Be the first to be “committed!” ($8 per person) Halloween Night they’ll be open the asylum from 7:30 p.m. to Midnight. ($8 per person)
Saturday, October 31
Downtown Street Party for Adults (Central Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets
Arabella’s Ave. Bar and Tanner’s Pub present this first ever Halloween evening for Grown Ups! Dance in the street to music by the New Beginnings Band. 8:30 p.m. to Midnight. Costume Contest with CASH PRIZES at 11 p.m. DJ Bob in Tanner’s Courtyard and DJ Smooth on Tanner’s Main Stage inside. So much fun … it’ll scare the bejeebies out of you! Brought to you by the Boys and Ghouls of
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Crazy Things To Do, Dining, Downtown
Posted: October 12, 2009: 3:48 pm
Plan on great fun, music, beer and bratwurst as Main Street Winter Haven presents the Second Annual Octoberfest Community Fall Celebration. The festivities all take place this Friday, October 16 – ah, and cooler weather is predicted.
Bring your friends to Central Park, downtown Winter Haven from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Live music by BandHaven. Beer and bratwurst may be purchased individually, or V.I.P. tickets are available for $15 each, or two for $25 (include food and admission to the beer-tasting tent allowing guests to sample more than 15 specialty beers).
The sponsors are Bernie Little Distributors, Inc., the City of Winter Haven and Main Street Winter Haven, Inc.
As long as you’re downtown you can also have the bejeebies scared out of you (for those with too many bejeebies) from 7:30 to 10 p.m. when you visit Ridge Art’s “Terror on the Ridge: Bedlam Asylum” … a haunted house for adults and children age 12 and up. Based on an insane asylum theme, this will be an intense experience created in 13 rooms of sheer horror. Located just east of the historic Ritz Theatre, there is a $7 admission fee that benefits the arts group.
Make this Friday a night in Downtown Winter Haven!
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Dining, Downtown, Main Street Winter Haven
Posted: October 7, 2009: 12:03 pm
Winter Haven City Manager David Greene spoke to a capacity Chamber breakfast audience this morning outlining the current state of the community. The presentation was an overall comparison of Winter Haven 2000 vs. Winter Haven 2009 and the statistics were impressive. Winter Haven’s current financial position is strong in spite of current economic challenges.
Here are some interesting Winter Haven comparisons of 2000 vs. 2009:
2000 2009*
Population: 26,487 34, 464
City Size: 23 sq. mi. 39.7 sq. mi.
# of Employees 488 475
Millage rate/$1,000 6.325 5.79
Taxable Property Value $814 mil $1.9 billion
Ad Valorem Tax Collections $4.9 mil $12.5 mil
General Fund Balance $3.8 mil $9.5 mil
Gen Fund Avail Reserve $1.7 mil $7.9 mil
Self Insure Healthcare Fund ($.5 mil) $3 mil (est.)
State and Federal Grants $1.3 mil $7 mil
Invested Cash $39.4 mil $65 mil
Library Borrower Cards 18,257 40,015
The 2009-10 City budget includes Police protection $9.4 million, Fire protection $6.2 million and Quality of Life/Leisure Services $5.2 million.
Greene noted that the city has no interest in growing to compete with Lakeland in size. He complimented the neighboring city for their success and vision. He stated that Winter Haven’s plans have been to grow within our general area and protect that which makes us unique and distinct. When asked what his “dream list” for the future among the projects he listed:
- continuing necessary infrastructure and capital improvments
- a firm commitment to support the USF Polytechnic Business Accelerator and expanding
downtown technology core
- extension of the Chain of Lakes Trail southward along Third Street, SW.
- a beautifully landscaped “Roundabout” at the intersection of Third St./Magnolia
Avenue/Avenue B, SW providing a newly renovated gateway to downtown
- construction of Trailhead Park adjacent to the Garden Center and Chain of Lakes Trail
- renovations and improvements to Inman Park at the City’s Northern gateway
Test Your Knowledge:
List the top property owners of taxable value in Winter Haven. (Answers at bottom of this post)
David Greene has served as City Manager since July of 2001. He brings more than 31 years of experience to the job. As he looks to the future considering the current economic environment he predicts it will be 2012 before area municipalities see an improved economic picture.
Perhaps one breakfast attendee summed it up best when they commented, “Great to know our city is in such great shape during such a difficult time.”
* 2009 figures are unaudited at this time
(Top taxable value property owners in the City of Winter Haven: Wal Mart – $50 million taxable value; Carlton Arms Apartments – $36 million taxable value; State Farm Insurance Company – $29 million taxable value; Hansen Pipe – $16.3 million taxable value; Lake Ashton II – $15.7 million taxable value)
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Perspective
Posted: October 6, 2009: 8:17 am
It’s Tuesday, October 6 and Winter Haven residents go to the polls today to decide a run-off race for City Commission Seat 5. The candidates are:
Commissioner Mike Easterling
Steven Hunnicutt
The Chamber compiled basic information from questionnaire answers from the candidates. It is available here.
Polls are open until 7 p.m. this evening. Do your part and participate in the democratic process.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Political Scene
Posted: August 13, 2009: 4:59 pm
The Polk Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) meeting today in Bartow approved a series of priorities that include three walking and biking trail enhancements. Among the priorities to be recommended to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) are three Winter Haven projects. (The value of these enhancements totals nearly $3.5 million.)
1. Chain of Lakes Trail- Lake Howard Connector - The Chain of Lakes Trail-Lake Howard Connector is a 2,800± foot pedestrian trail extending along Avenue B, NW from First Street to the Lake Howard Trail. The Connector will intersect the Chain of Lakes Trail near Fourth Street, NW (adjacent 
to the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce) and connect with the Lake Howard Trail on the west side of the intersection of East Lake Howard Drive and Avenue B, NW. Estimated cost for this project is $840,000.
2. Chain of Lakes Trail Southern Extension. The Chain of Lakes Trail Southern Extension is a 2,500± foot pedestrian trail extending from South Central Park along Avenue A, SW, Magnolia Avenue and Third Street, SW to Avenue G, SW. This trail will downsize Avenue A, Magnolia Avenue, and Third Street from three and four-lane roadways to two-lane roadways with a pedestrian trail, landscaping, and on-street parking. Estimated cost for this project is $845,000.
3. Chain of Lakes Trail Bridge over Avenue T, NW. The Chain of Lakes Trail Bridge involves the construction of a bridge over Avenue T, NW to provide for a safe pedestrian and bicycle crossing over this four-lane roadway. The bridge will be constructed on the west side of Martin Luther King Drive on two parcels owned by the State Office of Greenways and Trails. Estimated cost for this project is $1,800,000.
These distinctive enhancements to Winter Haven’s walking and biking trail system will help maximize the usefulness and connectivity of the Chain of Lakes Trail.
(Pictured above: a portion of the 3.4 mile Chain of Lakes Trail)
| See other posts filed in: Chain of Lakes, City of Winter Haven, Downtown, Parks and Green Space, Transportation
Posted: August 7, 2009: 11:06 am
The University of South Florida Polytechnic’s Blue Sky business incubation program is now accepting applications for space in its two facilities — a business accelerator, Blue Sky East in Winter Haven, and an entry-level incubator, Blue Sky West in Lakeland. Winter Haven’s Blue Sky East will be located in the former Verizon building amid an already emerging technology hub. The Six Ten Corporation was instrumental in working with USF Poly on Blue Sky East.
“We want a diverse group of entrepreneurs with the potential to create a significant economic impact in central Florida,” says Marshall Goodman, VP and CEO of USF Polytechnic. “These facilities provide opportunities for a wide range of enterprises. Some will be raw start-ups, and some will be more advanced. Regardless of the stage, Blue Sky represents an opportunity to thrive.”
Applicants must be for-profit technology corporations, with proprietary technologies preferred. Applicants can be a start-up company, an existing small business in a growth phase, an existing business launching a new business project, or an international business looking for a soft-landing site.
The Blue Sky facilities are the first public business technology incubators in Polk County. They will focus on attracting and nurturing entrepreneurial businesses by creating a place where USF Poly faculty, staff and students can work with businesses to develop innovative technology. Incubated companies will benefit from the proximity to and resources of a national research university as well as the assets of economic development networks.
The application is available at here. Applicants must be for-profit technology corporations. Preference will be shown for proprietary technologies. Applicants can be start-ups, existing small businesses looking to grow, an existing business that is launching a new project, or an international business looking for site in the U.S. that plans to hire locally and pay local taxes.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Downtown, Economic Development, Education, General Announcements, Technology
Posted: August 5, 2009: 1:43 pm
The Chamber hosted a City Commission Candidate Breakfast Forum this morning (August 5, 2009). The breakfast was organized by the Chamber’s Government and Legislative Affairs Committee. The candidates were asked a series of questions relevant to the business community including transportation priorities, economic development opportunities, public transit funding, city responsibility to the Chain of Lakes and their opinion of the Hometown Democracy amendment (requiring all future comprehensive plan amendments to be put forth in voter referendums) expected to be on the 2010 state ballot.
Candidates for Seat 4 (Mayor Yvonne Brooks and Jamie Beckett) both pointed to the economic development potential of the Winter Haven Municipal Airport along the US 92 corridor. Beckett noted his view that runway length would not support increased use by corporate jets. Beckett felt the city’s responsibility with regard to the Chain of Lakes required cooperation with the various agencies from the canal commission to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Brooks pointed to the number of lakes preservation goals outlined in the “Our Future By Design” visioning document that the city has accomplished including the urban lakefront design guidelines. Their most divergent views were expressed regarding the Hometown Democracy amendment with Brooks favoring continuing the current regulatory process and Beckett supporting the amendment. (Ed. Note: While candidate Beckett originally stated that he felt comprehensive plan changes should be left to voters, he has since clarified his position and opposes the Hometown Democracy amendment. His clarification is noted in the first comment below. – BG 8/13/09)
Candidates for Seat 5 (Commissioner Mike Easterling, Steven Hunnicutt and Bob Jardine) were in general agreement on most issues. Easterling expressed his continued commitment to the community visioning plan and Hunnicutt and Jardine both agreed it was an important guide for decisions. Jardine noted his interest in representing the needs of sight and physically impaired including his work to secure audible crossing signals for key city intersections. All Seat 4 candidates favor retaining the current regulatory system for changes in comprehensive plans and opposed the Hometown Democracy amendment.
Candidates for Commission Seat 4:
Mayor Yvonne Brooks
Jamie Beckett
Candidates for Seat 5:
Commissioner Mike Easterling
Steven Hunnicutt
Bob Jardine
The Chamber collected candidate information including background, city strengths and challenges, revitalization, top priorities and more. A comparison of that information is available at this link.
The city election will take place Tuesday, September 8, 2009.
| See other posts filed in: Chain of Lakes, City of Winter Haven, Economic Development, Perspective, Political Scene, Transportation
Posted: August 4, 2009: 8:20 pm
A drive by of Christy’s Sundown Restaurant this evening (August 4, 2009) finds the venerable institution is closed. The landmark Winter Haven establishment has been an icon of success in the restaurant business. Nicholas “Nick” Christy bought the Sundown Restaurant in the early 1950s when it was among the few businesses located on U.S. 17.
Christy built his restaurant experience along with the success of Cypress Garden’s promoter Dick Pope and created a culinary destination appreciated throughout Central Florida. The entrance wall serves as a testament to the likes of Esther Williams, Johnny Carson, Carol Burnett, Roy Rogers and other luminaries that came to the Gardens and dined at Christy’s.
Christy sold the restaurant to James Bronkhorst in 2007. We have information that new opportunities are in the works. Speculation involves a new owner and a new focus for the landmark location. Stay tuned …
Pictured above: Sundown Restaurant circa 1950s.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Dining, General Announcements, Tourism
Posted: July 30, 2009: 3:21 pm
The Florence Villa community boasts an elegant new senior apartment complex for those 55 years and older. Lakeside Terrace is located at 391 Avenue O, N.E. adjacent to Lake Maude. The 84 unit building features 42 one-bedroom and 42 two-bedroom apartments. Residents also enjoy a clubhouse with kitchen and entertainment bar (pictured at left), business center with high speed internet, 24-hour emergency maintenance service, large swimming pool and planned recreational and daily activities. And it’s a pet friendly complex, too!
The professional landscaping also features a majestic mature oak central to the pool area that was preserved in the design of the grounds.
The complex was built and will be managed by the Picerne Management Corporation. With 35,000 residences they are one of the largest developers and managers of rental properties in the nation. For more photographs of Lakeside Terrace visit this link.
Below left is a view of a standard kitchen (there is a wheelchair accessible option) and right is the living room area.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Economic Development, Real Estate
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