Artist concept looking SE from interection of Ave. A and Third St. NW
Winter Haven City Commissioners met today (Friday, March 12) in a Quarterly Planning Workshop designed to discuss potential new projects and review the status of previous priorities.
One primary area of interest involved a proposed downtown parking garage that would be situated on the block where the Ritz Theatre is located. The garage would essentially wrap around the theatre. Conceptual plans call for first floor retail space for urban connectivity and several floors of parking spaces including a top deck. Total number of spaces would number slightly more that 5oo.
Commissioner Jamie Beckett pointed to the new “Business Continuity Center” located in the 610 Plaza building (formerly Verizon) that can accommodate overnight up to 250 workers from a business that has suffered an interruption due to catastrophic circumstances anywhere. Beckett said his number one question from downtown businesses dealt with parking and he added, “Where will we park those 250 extra workers.” (Also, a developing downtown technology sector now employs approximately 230 people and is projected to employ 500 by 2012.)
City Manager Dale Smith noted that parking garages are never inexpensive but the current economic climate should produce a cost effective climate for building.
The commissioners instructed staff to develop definite plans and recommendations on how to proceed.
The planning workshop lasted three-hours and dealt with a variety of topics. The Commission is also interested in evaluating the need for updating the Community’s visioning document, “Our Future By Design.”
This is great news!!
Excellent, let’s get it built and they will come. Our Internet Companies are committed to downtown and we need the additional parking spaces for our clients and employees. You have our full support.
just make sure that it is highly user friendly for all segments of our population. easy to get into, easy to get out of and safe. some people are reluctant to use parking garages. Might be nice if business owner and employees were to use these spaces so that the onstreet parking outside the parking garage would be available to business consumers and out of town people. No question we need more parking in the downtown area! Go for it and lets make it happen!
This is great news for those of us that drive around and around seeking parking for that special coffee, lunch, or an hour of local shopping.
This is a wonderful idea! I’m sure the City Commission or some local business group will spearhead a major fundraising effort to finance this building. Would anyone be willing to pay for parking in the garage?
Having watched the re-developement of Christy’s, I am so pleased that the owners are interested in what this fine restaurant has meant to this city. Thank you for not tearing it down,starting from scratch ending with just another new restaurant. I didn’t grow up here but I do appreciate the history of this site. Thanks! E.T.
Additional parking of this magnitude will undoubtedly help to accentuate the already impressive revitalization effort ongoing in our beautiful downtown area and most certainly will create a more user-friendly environment for visitors, residents and business owners alike.