Posts filed under 'Downtown'
Posted: July 16, 2008: 8:04 am
Winter Haven-based Beckert, Price & Rowse, PA (BPR & Company) has announced their merger with Cross, Fernandez & Riley, LLP (C/F/R) effective August 1, 2008. The combined firms will have offices in Orlando, Winter Haven and Tampa and be known as Cross, Fernandez & Riley, LLP.
“We view this merger as a unification of similar values,” said BPR & Company President, Howard Beckert. “Our main goal as a firm is to provide exceptional service through close personal attention to our clients.” Founded in 1980, BPR & Company is a locally-owned accounting and consulting firm serving clients throughout Polk County.
“BPR & Company has a very rich tradition in Polk County and we have a great deal of respect for their team,” stated Jim Cross, managing partner of Cross, Fernandez and Riley, LLP. “Our decision to merge was based on a number of factors — most importantly our similar service philosophies — believing in the value or relationships, client service and giving back to the community. The merger will also produce expanded resources and an enhanced knowledge base.
Cross, Fernandez and Riley has roots in Central Florida dating to 1963. Based in Orlando they serve closely-held businesses along the I-4 corridor.
Together the firms will maintain specialties working with both public and private mid-sized businesses in the real estate, timeshare, not-for-profit, manufacturing/distribution, construction and agriculture industries. C/F/R will continue to offer additional services in forensic accounting and litigation support, business valuation, emerging business, HR consulting and finance and accounting recruiting.
The new C/F/R office location in Polk County will be in the former BPR & Company facility at 525 Pope Avenue, NW, Winter Haven, 33881. Phone (863) 299-5638 in Winter Haven or (407) 841-6930 in Orlando.
| See other posts filed in: Downtown, Financial Industry
Posted: June 10, 2008: 7:32 am
Center Opens in Six Ten Corporation’s “Inland Fiber and Data Technology Park”
Located Downtown
T3 Communications, Inc. based in Fort Myers has opened its second data center in Winter Haven. Together with 6/10 Corporation, T3 Communications has designed its data center (pictured at right) to serve SMB, Enterprise, Government and carrier customers as well as others in need of a secure site for IT infrastructure and disaster recovery needs. This data center features redundant power and cooling systems, high-speed fiber connectivity to the Internet and 24/7 monitoring and surveillance. Located downtown the structure is category 4 hurricane wind load certified and more than 140 feet above sea level.
The technical description of the new center is carrier neutral data and enterprise collocation data center. Adam Sewall, president and CEO of T3 notes, “In order to meet the demands for expansion of advanced data and voice services to businesses in Florida, Winter Haven has proven to be an ideal location.”
Carl J. Strang, III, president of the 6/10 Corporation said, “T3 has built an advanced data center in our Inland Fiber and Data Technology Park located in downtown Winter Haven. We are pleased to add T3 to the growing list of technology companies that have chosen to locate in Polk County. Our inland location and proximity to the Tampa and Orlando markets make Polk County a logical choice for next generation technology providers such as T3.”
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Commercial Renovations, Downtown, Economic Development, Technology
Posted: April 11, 2008: 10:21 am
The Third Annual Central Park Stroll was held April 10 amid picture perfect weather, beautifully manicured parks and ten new outdoor sculptures. This year’s Stroll was unique in that for the first time, one of the ten sculptures was created by a Winter Haven artist. Perhaps most exciting is the fact that Albert Kriston’s “Reach” sculpture (pictured at left) was selected as “Best of Show” by the judges and “Peoples Choice” winner from Thursday evening’s guests.
Reach was inspired by the astronauts who lost their lives on the shuttle Challenger.
The Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition is organized by the Polk Museum of Art in conjunction with the City of Winter Haven. This is the eighth year for the competition and the third time it has been in Winter Haven’s downtown parks. The City of Winter Haven provides both financial backing for the exhibition and the logistical support to install and maintain the sculptures. The sculptures are selected by a committee of area residents. This year’s judges included Carol Mickett, Ph.D., and Robert Stackhouse, Ph.D Artists.
The Central Park Stroll was sponsored by Cartlon Music Center, CSX Transportation, Food Partners, Haskell Corp., Peterson Myers, P.A., Publix Supermarkets, Inc., Raley Downtown Properties, Richards Fine Coffees, Tampa Electric Company and the Winter Haven Chamber Foundation.
The Chamber joins with Main Street Winter Haven and the City to present the Central Park Stroll. Those who voted for the sculptures last evening received a coupon book good for discounts at downtown restaurants and retailers.
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, City of Winter Haven, Cultural Arts, Downtown, Main Street Winter Haven, Parks and Green Space, Success Stories, Tourism
Posted: March 26, 2008: 2:31 pm
The obviously empty housing at left was removed from the historic Times Square building yesterday to join the previously removed works for restoration and electrification. The vintage “McClintock Clock” was placed on the then Snell National Bank in 1925 and for the past 83 years has served as one of Winter Haven’s most recognizable landmarks.
Current owners of the building, Park Partners, recently donated the clock to the citizens of Winter Haven thereby ensuring the clock never leaves the community.
The restoration is being coordinated by Lloyd Larish who purchased the remaining inventory of the now defunct McClintock Clock Works. The process will require the skill of a number of master craftsman and is expected to cost approximately $27,000. Restoration and electrification will take from three to five months.
Representatives from Main Street Winter Haven, the City of Winter Haven and the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce are working together on a campaign dubbed “Buy a Little Time.” A restricted fund has been established within the Main Street organization to accept tax deductible gifts for the clock’s restoration. The cost of restoration has been divided among the hours and minutes of a 24 hour day making contributions affordable to everyone from children and schools to larger organizations within business community. For example:
$1,000 sponsors an hour
$500 sponsors a half hour
$250 sponsors a quarter hour
$100 sponsors five minutes
and minutes are $20 each
All hourly sponsors will be listed on a plaque to be placed below the clock. All donors will be listed in a celebratory program to be used on the date of the clock’s re-dedication.
For further information or a donor brochure contact Main Street Winter Haven at 295-9422 or the Winter Haven Chamber at 293-2138. Donor brochures are available here.
Tick-tock people! Join us and “Buy a Little Time.”
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, City of Winter Haven, Downtown, Main Street Winter Haven
Posted: March 20, 2008: 6:48 am
Arabella’s Restaurant downtown on Central Avenue is now open Tuesday - Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. for lunch. The recently re-opened restaurant continues to serve dinner Tuesday - Saturday. The menu offers Mediterranean fare including both Italian and French cuisine. It is located in the historic Times Square building.346 W. Central Avenue
| See other posts filed in: Dining, Downtown
Posted: March 19, 2008: 10:27 am
Add a little balance to your life and make plans to bring friends and family to the 2008 Sunset Celebration from 4 p.m. to sunset on the shores of Lake Howard at Avenue D. NW. The festival is FREE! The General Public is invited. In addition to the Chair artist pictured at left, guests will enjoy a strolling magician, Rolla Bolla (balance artist on a series of stacked cylinders), an amazing Hula Hoop demonstration and a contortionist (both pictured below). They’ll be “bending over backwards” to show you a good time.
Main Stage Entertainment includes Reggae and Beach music by Azwon. And T. Michael Stavres will bring a little Margaritaville to the festivities.
Do you know a local amateur talent under the age of 21? The Chamber will hold auditions for budding unicyclists, jugglers, magicians and other novelty acts on Saturday, March 29 at 9 a.m. at our downtown building (401 Avenue B, NW). Those selected will receive prizes and be asked to perform at the April 5th event during our “Amateur Hour.”
You won’t want to miss “Dogs In Synch” presented by the Humane Society. and our Children’s Game area features a bounce house, face painting, Treasure Dig, Sand Art and more. Do you have a vintage car or boat? Register for the Chain of Lakes Vintage Auto and Boat Show here and bring it for display. There will be a “Motorcycle Row” display, too!
You’ll find great food from Texas Cattle Company and Smokin’ Jim’s BBQ and you can also enjoy margaritas from Tanner’s Pub.
It’s a Key West-style Sunset Celebration presented by The Winter Haven Chamber Foundation, City of Winter Haven and the employees of State Farm Insurance.
Supporting sponsors include Bright House Networks, News Chief, The Ledger and Winter Haven Hospital. Main Stage entertainment from CSX Transportation and Street Entertainment sponsored by Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Winter Haven.
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, City of Winter Haven, Downtown, Tourism
Posted: February 26, 2008: 2:02 pm
We are pleased to announce the return of a fine dining establishment as Arabella’s has opened in the historic Times Square building. Seven months of renovations have returned long-hidden architectural features most notably the arches that graced the building when it was known as the Snell National Bank. Diners will find exposed brick walls framing the elegant decor. The restaurant also has a private dining area (shown below) with private entrance.
Arabella’s and its adjoining Avenue Bar is now open to the public. The restaurant features Mediterranean cuisine including both French and Italian fare. For now the restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 - 9:30 p..m. It is contemplated that at some point, plans call to open for lunch as well. The restaurant is owned by Brian Rich and Franco Basalone.
Reservations are not required but suggested. 293-1797. Welcome them back!
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Dining, Downtown, Economic Development, General Announcements
Posted: February 14, 2008: 10:23 am
Downtown’s Central Park area will be home to the Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition for 2008. For the past two years both Winter Haven and Lakeland have hosted ten sculptures but the 2008 competition will be held in Winter Haven alone as Lakeland has chosed to exhibit works by a single artist. The ten sculptures range from small and delicate to massive and imposing and include a bronze work, “Reach” by Winter Haven artist Albert Kriston (pictured below). The Outdoor Sculpture Competition is a project of the Polk Museum of Art in cooperation with the City of Winter Haven. Winners were selected by a committee of Winter Haven residents.
The individual works will be installed in the three sections of downtown’s Central Park by early March in time for inclusion in the Central Park Art Festival March 15 and 16. The City will join with Main Street Winter Haven and the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce to announce the winners of the competition and “People’s Choice” at the Central Park Stroll on April 10.
You can view all of this year’s selections here.
| See other posts filed in: Cultural Arts, Downtown, General Announcements, Parks and Green Space, Tourism
Posted: February 6, 2008: 2:14 pm
The Winter Haven City Commission will consider purchase of downtown’s Hill Building at their February 11 Commission meeting. The $1.2 million purchase would further downtown redevelopment within the downtown Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) area. Main Street Winter Haven recently received conceptual designs for the South Central Park area as well as surrounding the Andy Thornal Store. The plans outline significant beautification options as well as future retail and parking. The Hill Building property is an integral part of this area.
The Hill Building was originally constructed as the Broadway Arcade in the mid-1920s by W.B. Craig, a prominent Haven builder. It later served as offices for Tampa Electric Company and was later sold to the Hill family and renamed. The building architecture was altered significantly during the time it housed Tampa Electric and for that reason does not meet historic designation guidelines. The building is shown above as it looks today and below as it looked when completed.
| See other posts filed in: Downtown, Economic Development, Real Estate
Posted: January 11, 2008: 4:45 pm
Winter Haven Web develpment firm cnp_studio, a division of Clark/Nikdel/Powell Advertising has just completed consulting work providing blog technology to Yahoo!. The company’s revised and redesigned “Yodel Anecdotal” blog was unveiled Friday, January 11 just after noon PST.
cnp_studio worked with California-based Voce to produce the new blog platform, touted with their first post “Now with more cowbell.” The cnp_studio team included Nick Gernert, Sean O’Shaughnessy, Mike Pretty and Pete Schiebel. Josh Hallett, a part of the Voce team was also involved with the project. This is the second major blog platform the local company has completed having been involved with the Sony Playstation Blog in 2007.
| See other posts filed in: Downtown, General Announcements, Technology
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