Posts filed under 'Downtown'
Posted: June 30, 2009: 4:58 pm
Reiss Engineering, Inc. announces the opening of their Polk County, Florida office, located at 21 3rd Street NW, Winter Haven. The 1200 sf suite is owned and managed by 6/10 Corporation. The transaction was handled by 6/10 Commercial, Inc.
Founded in 1998, Reiss Engineering provides general civil and environmental engineering and consulting services to public and private sector entities throughout Florida and the United States. The firm’s expertise encompasses a wide range of areas including water, wastewater and reclaimed water projects, as well as stormwater and land development. Reiss engineers provide services associated with the planning, permitting, and final design of municipal and private utility systems and developments. www.reisseng.com.
“We are very excited to announce the opening of an office in the heart of Polk County,” comments Gary J. ReVoir II, P.E., Vice President of Reiss Engineering. “Reiss Engineering has had the privilege of working with Polk County and the local governments on our recent water supply plan. We feel that this location will not only bring us closer to our clients, but provide us with increased opportunities for community involvement.”
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Downtown, General Announcements
Posted: June 16, 2009: 1:57 pm
Winter Haven-based cnp_studio has joined forces with California-based VOCE (pronounced voe-chey) Communications. Voce purchased the hard assets from Clark/Nikdel/Powell Design and Communications and hired the Web team including Nick Gernert, Sean O’Shaughnessy, Chris Scott, Mike Pretty and Pete Schiebel (the team will remain based downtown). (Clark/Nikdel/Powell continues to offer Web design and support focusing on their local clients.)
Voce and cnp_studio have been long-time business partners and worked on a variety of social media projects since 2006. The firm manages social media programs for a number of firms including Comcast, Disney, ebay, Fujitsu, Intel, Logitech, NetApp, PlayStation, VeriSign, Yahoo! and has teamed with cnp on most of those projects. cnp’s independent projects have included publishing platform work for the “Real Dan Lyons,” MIT Sloan and PlayStation Europe, user interface design work with Symantec and traditional Web site development and intranet work for Platinum Games and Prudential. The firm also specializes in customized blogs using the WordPress platform. And if you like bacon you’ll want to visit Bacolicio.us — used for practical jokes around the world — noted by such organizations as the New York Times and Huffington Post.
cnp_studio Director of Platform Services Nick Gernert notes, “This means good things because Voce has always challenged our team to do great things. Our ability to pursue new ideas, platforms, and technologies is unchanged. Our clients benefit from the expertise of Voce while Voce’s clients benefit from the platform developer working in direct contact with their strategists. Voce believes that the combination of their public relations and social media marketing teams with cnp’s Web development expertise will add value for their clients. The combined group will be known as “Voce Connect.”
Editors note: cnp_studio is one of many fine emerging technology firms growing in downtown Winter Haven. It also happens to involve my son, Nick, and a talented team. The Chamber is currently gathering information and will soon publish a special series of blog posts about our emerging technology hub and the unique reasons that downtown Winter Haven is positioned to help technology-oriented businesses grow and thrive. The recently announced USF Poly business accelerator will further accentuate our strategic technology attributes.
| See other posts filed in: Downtown, Technology
Posted: June 11, 2009: 6:08 pm
Winter Haven to be home to USF Polytechnic technology business accelerator.
In a memo distributed today, June 12, to the Mayor and City Commisioners, City of Winter Haven Community
Development Director David Dickey announced the following information:
In April 2009, the Polk County Commission, in conjunction with the Central Florida Development Council, earmarked $1 million in funding to help establish a high-tech business incubator to be located on the USF Polytechnic campus.
The incubator concept has gained momentum so quickly that the decision was made to establish two locations prior to the completion of the Polytechnic campus. An incubator will be established in Lakeland with a business accelerator to be located in downtown Winter Haven.
Benefits to new companies will include proximity to, and resources of, a national research university; access to operational infrastructure including office space, equipment and technology; faculty experts; technology consultants; and training programs.
The decision to locate this facility in downtown Winter Haven is result of a partnership between the 6/10 Corporation and the City. The 6/10 Corporation will provide rent-free space in the Verizon building located at 199 Avenue B, NW. This building houses the Inland Fiber & Data Technology Park which makes the accelerator a great fit. Subject to approval and funding availability, the City’s CRA would provide $10,000 annually to help offset operating costs.
It is anticipated that the facility will be operational by September 1, 2009 and will initially house from five to ten new companies. The proposed accelerator can be distinguished from a business incubator in that it will target more mature start-ups that still require a degree of support. It is hoped that the companies will grow into adjacent office space and maintain a long-term downtown Winter Haven presence.
This development will further advance the developing technology-based business core downtown. Congratulations to both Lakeland and Winter Haven. The County/CFDC/USF/Lakeland/Winter Haven/Six-Ten partnership is a very positive step in economic recovery. The Polytechnic influence will grow the high-skill / high-wage sector critical to the area’s long-term future.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Downtown, Economic Development, Education, Employment Opportunity, Success Stories, Technology
Posted: June 1, 2009: 3:38 pm
Restoration plans by Richard Mills have been approved for a $10,000 matching grant from the Downtown Winter Haven CRA to restore the facade of what was originally the “Hoffman Department Store” built in 1937. Seen below is the original building, the current facade and the proposed renovations.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Renovations, Downtown, Economic Development, Uncategorized
Posted: April 16, 2009: 11:31 am
April 18 and 19 will be a grand weekend for cycling enthusiasts with an Alturas Road Race on April 18 and a fast-paced downtown Winter Haven Criterion event with a series of races for most ages on Sunday, April 19.
More than a year in the planning, the cycling events are sanctioned as a Florida Points Series Event, a Land Armstrong Junior Olympic Race Series Event and a US Cycling Federation events.
You can find a complete race schedule for both the Alturas Road Race and Downtown Criterion here.
Join your friends on Saturday and Sunday for what is sure to become a premier cycling competition. This event is the latest addition to the Chain of Lakes Festival events.
| See other posts filed in: Chain of Lakes, City of Winter Haven, Downtown, Main Street Winter Haven, Sports, Tourism
Posted: March 30, 2009: 1:55 pm
Planning for the Chain of Lakes Downtown Trailhead is underway. The complex will be located on City-owned property immediately north of Fire Station 1. The primary focus of this facility is to provide access to the recently completed Chain of Lakes Trail, while also expanding the City’s general recreation offerings. The facility’s proximity to the Winter Haven Area Transit Terminal (WHAT) will allow for enhanced connectivity between multiple transportation modes (vehicular, pedestrian, mass transit, etc.). As an indirect benefit, the facility will help meet parking needs associated with other destination facilities in the immediate area (i.e. City Hall, MLK, Jr. Park, Senior Adult Center, Garden Center and Nora Mayo Hall).
Improvements associated with the project include 140 new parking spaces, restroom/concession facilities, a transportation themed interactive playground, a municipal lawn/plaza, maintenance storage building, picnic facilities, shade pavilion, bike lockers, and general site furnishings. The landscape/layout design is consistent with recent redevelopment patterns of downtown and incorporates Mediterranean Revival Theme architecture consistent with the Winter Haven Public Library and WHAT Terminal.
Construction on the project is expected to start in Fall 2009. Prior to construction of the facility, the Farmers Market will temporarily be moved to either Patterson Park or Joyce Davis Park. Additional Downtown Park Renovation Plans call for the redevelopment of South Central Park.
Current cost estimates for the Chain of Lakes Downtown Trailhead are approximately $1.4 million. Over the next two years, the City has approximately $780,000 budgeted for the project, of which $475,000 will be in the form of Florida Department of Transportation Grants. In addition, the City has requested that the project be considered for Federal Economic Stimulus Funding through the Florida Department of Transportation.
The Chain of Lakes Downtown Project Plans are currently at the 60% Phase and are being reviewed by the Florida Department of Transportation, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and City Staff.
| See other posts filed in: Chain of Lakes, City of Winter Haven, Downtown, Parks and Green Space, Transportation
Posted: March 12, 2009: 1:15 pm
Downtown Winter Haven is positively abuzz as Publix Supermarkets films an upcoming commercial for the nation’s finest grocery chain (in our humble opinion). The company was founded right here in Winter Haven nearly 79 years ago (September 6, 1930 to be exact). Ironically the filming of this commercial took place directly across Central Park from George Jenkin’s first “Publix Food Store” (now Score’s Sports Restaurant). Between 1930 and 1941 Winter Haven was home to the only Publix Store. In 1940 Jenkins built his first store from the ground up. The building still stands on Central Avenue at 2nd Street NW across from the First Baptist Church.
Publix reported $23.9 billion in retail sales in 2008. They have 141,000 associates and 1,001 stores … and to think it all began here!
We do not know the story line of the commercial but judging by the side of the Publix truck below, we bet it involves PUBLIX ICE CREAM! All is flavor say aye!
Hats off to Main Street and the City of Winter Haven for a Downtown worthy of a Publix commercial.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Downtown, Main Street Winter Haven, Success Stories
Posted: February 5, 2009: 10:42 am
For the fourth year, the City of Winter Haven has joined with the Polk Museum of Art to bring ten outstanding outdoor sculptures to downtown’s three-block Central Park area for 2009. The sculptures will be installed during March. The exhibition will officially open at the “Central Park Stroll” event scheduled for Thursday, April 9 in late afternoon. The sculptures will remain on display until February of next year. (The sculpture at left is titled “Humpback Whale Tail” and measures 11′ high by 17′ wide and 9 ‘ deep. It was created from reclaimed Honduran mahogany.)
The Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition is a joint project of the City of Winter Haven and the Polk Museum of Art. The Chamber and Main Street are also partners in the project.
The selections were made by a committee of people that included representatives from the Museum and residents of Winter Haven. Ten pieces were chosen from the 53 submitted. Best of Show, 2nd Place, and Honorable Mention prizes will be awarded on April 9th following judging and Peoples Choice voting.
You can view all ten sculptures here.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Cultural Arts, Downtown, Parks and Green Space, Tourism
Posted: January 14, 2009: 9:27 am
Bond Clinic has opened its new Women’s Health Center - a comprehensive all inclusive location for women’s health including obstetrics and gynecology, women’s diagnostic services and a medical spa. It is located at the Bond Clinic satellite office at 199 Ave B N.W (Verizon building).
The Women’s Health Center is home to four physicians who are board certified in obstetrics and gynecology: Carlos Gabriel, M.D.; Vincent Gatto, M.D.; Jana Kenaan, M.D. and Dr. Eva Salamon, M.D. The center has a clinical and clerical support staff of thirteen.
Advanced imaging and diagnostic services located at the center include 3 and 4-D ultrasound, urinary incontinence evaluation, digital mammography and coming soon, a Dexa scan for bone density screening.
In addition to comprehensive gynecological services and personalized pre-natal care, the Women’s Health Center offers Bond Aesthetics, a division that includes a medical spa and cosmetic laser therapy. The spa includes a licensed massage therapist and facial specialist who offers a wide range of services from a relaxing hot stone massage to variety of facial treatments. The board-certified physicians perform cosmetic laser treatments for facial rejuvenation, hair removal, spider veins and broken capillaries, acne, Rosacea and age spot removal. Botox and other cosmetic injections for the treatment of facial lines and winkles are also available.
Bond Clinic will hold a ribbon cutting and open house at the new center on January 27 from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. open to the general public.
The new Women’s Health Center offers women a state of the art, one-stop location they may go for both their medical and cosmetic needs. For more information, or to schedule an appointment please call 863-293-1191 ext. 3573. (Photography courtesy of Sean O’Shaughnessy, cnp_studio.)
| See other posts filed in: Downtown, General Announcements, Health Care
Posted: December 31, 2008: 11:40 am
As 2008 comes to an end we offer our list of ten significant Winter Haven developments from the past twelve months. While the economy has slowed, there is still much positive local activity. A great many developments hold promise for the future. Here’s our selection - each is linked to the original blog post. What would you add?
10. DCA approval of the CSX intermodal rail facility
9. Winter Haven Hospital completes $40 million addition.
8. PCC one of nine community colleges to offer four-year degrees
7. Ledger New York Times buys News Chief
6. Winter Haven opens new airport terminal
5. City plans for Chain of Lakes property
4. Winter Haven Hospital attains Magnet status
3. Six Ten Corporation/T3 Communications “Inland Fiber and Data Technology Park” downtown
2. Winter Haven Parks Grow by 250 acres since 2000
1. Cypress Gardens closes … to reopen in March 2009
What would you add to this list?
The Chamber extends our best wishes for a bright and prosperous 2009. And remember … buy from local merchants, the job you save may be your own!
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Cypress Gardens, Downtown, Economic Development, Health Care, News Media, Parks and Green Space, Perspective, Real Estate, Technology, Tourism, Transportation
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