Kohl’s To Open on US 27

Posted: February 22, 2008: 3:01 pm

Construction is underway on a new Kohl’s Department Store located on US 27 south of the intersection with Cypress Gardens Boulevard. The retailer will be located between Home Depot and the present Shoppes on the Ridge. The store plans a December 2008 opening.

19 Comments | See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Economic Development, General Announcements, Real Estate

112 New Hotel Rooms Open in Winter Haven

Posted: February 13, 2008: 11:21 am

Holiday Inn Lobby

The ribbon has been cut and it’s official, the new six-story Holiday Inn has opened on Cypress Gardens Boulevard. The hotel features an expansive lobby, impressive Board Room available to rent, lounge area and restaurant open for breakfast and dinner.

Shown above is the fully equipped Board Room and room with King bed

The hotel offers a variety of accommodations from a standard room to suites. Guest rooms feature a 32″ flat panel television. The lobby and restaurant areas offer wireless internet access. A cascading waterfall is the lobby focal point. The Holiday Inn will host the Chamber’s April 24th Networking Showcase. The 112 room facility is owned by Lakeville Partners, LLC.

3 Comments | See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Economic Development, General Announcements, Real Estate

Skyrise Development has Plans for Haven’s Northside

Posted: February 8, 2008: 3:43 pm

Skyrise Development Corporation has posted to their Web site two projects the company is planning on US 17 North:

Winter Haven 166 is described in a pre-development prospectus as a 166 acre commercial/retail (mall) located at US US 92 and US 17.

Winter Haven Shops is the second concept described as 40,000 square feet of retail space just north of Brigham Road (near the Honda Dealership). It, too, is in the pre-development pre-leasing stage.

Skyrise describes itself as a national owner, developer and manager of commercial real estate properties. These include corporate headquarters, landmark properties, urban business parks and more. You can view the Winter Haven postings here.

At this point both projects appear to be in the conceptual stage. No permitting has begun for either development.

Tell us what shops and other retail you would like to see on Winter Haven’s north side.

18 Comments | See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Real Estate

City Will Consider Purchase of Hill Building

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.

3 Comments | See other posts filed in: Downtown, Economic Development, Real Estate

Platinum Bank Open in Bell’s Alley

Posted: February 5, 2008: 5:17 pm

Platinum Bank has opened their new Winter Haven location at 1169 First Street, South … former location of a jeweler. Mike Compton, Senior Vice President notes the initial soft opening is behind them and all systems are go for this location.

Platinum will operate in Bell’s Alley until renovations are completed on 1285 1st Street South, former home to Cornerstone Hospice which is moving to a new location. The bank plans a major facelift for the building which was originally built as a First Union Bank in 1988. Ironically, a slightly younger Compton coordinated its construction. The new look is presented below.

3 Comments | See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Commercial Renovations, Economic Development, Financial Industry, Real Estate

East Polk Committee of 100 Endorses CSX Center

Posted: February 4, 2008: 10:28 am

Meeting Friday, February 1, the Board of Directors for the East Polk Committee of 100 unanimously approved the following resolution:

The East Polk County Committee of 100 is an advocate of high quality economic development in East Polk County, Florida. Our Board of Directors of the EPC 100 endorses the proposed CSX Integrated Logistics Center (ILC) as a high quality economic development project. We encourage our legislative delegation and other concerned governmental bodies to complete the necessary infrastructure improvement required to make this proposed ILC as well as any and all future phases of this project, a model of high quality economic development to benefit all of Central Florida.

The EPC 100 joins the Central Florida Development Council, Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Winter Haven who have also passed resolutions of support. The proposed 318 acres facility will serve to distribute containerized consumer goods and automobiles. The project is currently undergoing a “Development of Regional Impact” (DRI) review.

Add a Comment | See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Economic Development, Transportation

Haven Hyundai Grand Opening - Win $3,000 Cash!

Posted: January 18, 2008: 12:31 pm

George “Red” Hoagland Sr. brought his Hyundai Automobile Dealership to Winter Haven celebrating their grand opening this week. The brand new location is operated by Hoagland, son George and Justin Hoagland is General Manager. The family has owned various automotive dealerships for more than 60 years.

In addition to great new and used automobiles you may have noticed a large LIVE red bull in the pen out front. Stop by before 3:30 p.m. Saturday, January 19th and guess the weight of the bull. If you are correct you could win $3,000 — NO BULL! The winner will be announced live on WPCV 97 Country at 5 p.m.

Red Hoagland (center with scissors) is flanked by Mayor Nat Birdsong (left) and son George (right) as he prepares to cut the ceremonial ribbon to the new dealership Thursday, January 17.

4 Comments | See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Economic Development, General Announcements, Transportation

New Depot for Winter Haven?

Posted: December 10, 2007: 3:16 pm

We hear that there may be a new “Depot” in store for Winter Haven. Word is that when the new Publix store opens at Southeast Plaza, the present grocery store location will be remodeled and home to an Office Depot.

1 Comment | See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Commercial Renovations, Economic Development

New Rooms at the Inn … Admiral’s Inn!

Posted: December 6, 2007: 8:20 am

Artist’s Rendering of Renovated and Expanded Admiral’s Inn

Jeff Vandiver, General Manager of the Best Western Admiral’s Inn has announced expansion and renovation plans for the hotel. The new building will have 90 suites and eight king rooms with hot tubs for a total of 98 new rooms. Plans call for a full range of amenities including wired and wireless high speed internet, fitness center, business center and meeting rooms. The existing building will get an exterior facelift in the process. The new building will be located in front of the existing structure. The miniature golf course that occupies a portion of the site has been closed and will be demolished.

Vandiver commented, “We are very excited about the expansion of our hotel. With the continued growth in the southeast area of Winter Haven, we feel this will complement the new growth that has already taken place. As the preferred hotel of Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, we wanted to ensure that our guests receive the best accommodations the area has to offer. Once construction has been completed, approximately twenty new jobs will be created for the greater Winter Haven area. Our owner is proud to be a part of this community and this investment assures that we will be here for many years to come.”

A groundbreaking is expected in early 2008 with completion in the Fall.

1 Comment | See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Commercial Renovations, Economic Development, General Announcements, Tourism

Compton to Lead Winter Haven’s Platinum Bank Location

Posted: December 5, 2007: 8:31 am

Mike Compton

Well known area banker Mike Compton will join Platinum Bank as the organization plans to open its first Winter Haven location. Compton who served as Chamber president in 2005 will become an Executive Vice President for the organization.

Platinum presently has locations in Brandon, Tampa, Plant City and two in Lakeland. The Winter Haven office location will be announced pending regulatory approval.

Mike is a life-long Winter Haven resident and has spent the past 20 years with Citrus & Chemical Bank. That bank was recently purchased by Colonial Banking Group. He will begin his Platinum Bank duties on December 17.

Asked to comment on his new responsibilities Compton said, “We are excited about our entry into the Winter Haven market. Platinum Bank will make a nice addition to the community and will be involved in a variety of community events. I’m thrilled with this opportunity to serve the Winter Haven market with such a fine community bank.”

16 Comments | See other posts filed in: Economic Development, Financial Industry, General Announcements