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Highlands Today

Beautifying Avon Park

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

Maria Sutherland, project manager for the City of Avon Park, said that Museum Ave will have improvements including sidewalks and green space replacing asphalt as well as the relocation of lamp posts and a flag pole.

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By BILL RETTEW JR.

Highlands Today

Published: November 14, 2008

AVON PARK - By the time summer rolls around, a new facelift likely will change the look and user-friendliness in the City of Charm.

More than $1.5 million of grant funds will contribute to improving downtown streets and several parks.

As part of separate projects, jackhammers will soon be heard on Museum Avenue and at least three blocks of Main Street, from Forest Avenue to Museum Avenue.

Workers will also soon start setting up construction cones at four community parks-Donaldson, Durrah Martin, Aline McWhite and Memorial.

Maria Sutherland, project manager, wrote the grant applications that led to funding for the upcoming projects.

"If not for these grants, Avon Park would not have the necessary funds to improve its aged infrastructure," said Sutherland. "Hopefully, with these extra funds and a little bit of patience from the community, we'll have better places for our children to play and walkable sidewalks to make the city more pedestrian friendly."

Museum Avenue Renovations

The Museum Avenue project was funded by with a $362,000 Florida Department of Transportation (FLDOT) grant.

From Main to Pleasant streets, on Museum Avenue, the road surface is scheduled for narrowing, with the addition of more than 70 parking spots.

Sutherland is excited to improve the city's cultural core, home of the Avon Park's public library, community center and Depot Museum.

"It's a cosmetic lift that businesses will hopefully take advantage of," said Sutherland.

A butterfly garden at Main Street and Museum Avenue should attract attention from both motorists and walkers.

Added lighting and new electrical work will give vendors, performers and other users more power to plug into.

A new sidewalk, for the length of the project, should make the avenue more pedestrian friendly.

"You can now walk on that street, but beware," said Sutherland. "But soon, we'll encourage you to get out of your car, walk around, sit down and enjoy the scenery."

Grant funding exceeds the cost to complete the Museum Streetscapes project, as agreed to through the bidding process by $70,000. Work should be under way by Christmas, said Sutherland, after completion of a simple change order.

Main Street Streetscapes By Summer

The Main Street project could extend further east than the already three planned blocks, as funds allow.

New sidewalks or walkways will be added to at least three malls, or bubbles, with new landscaping, which will include native foliage.

Funding for the project came from a $690,000 Department of Housing and Urban Development grant. The community development block grant was earmarked for commercial revitalization.

Sutherland is excited to introduce a 20-foot wide area, with a pentagon shape at its heart, to honor the five branches of the U.S. military. Commemorative brick sales will help finance upkeep of the area located between east and westbound travel lanes.

Parks To Get Sprucing Up

The South Side CRA recently bought land to expand Aline McWhite Park. The existing basketball court will get a new paint job. Bleachers and benches will give spectators a chance to watch.

A 600-square-foot picnic shelter will give residents a chance to cook a burger in the shade. Expanded parking will also be paid for with a $135,000 FRDAP grant.

The South Side CRA pledged up to $60,000 for restrooms.

"With benches and lighting, it will be a true park ... a park for all ages," said Sutherland.

Kids will especially enjoy upcoming improvements to Donaldson Park. Water will shoot through fountains from ground level, as part of an interactive water feature, to give children of all ages a chance to cool off.

Construction of a soccer field for children will take advantage of existing nighttime lighting. The tennis courts are also scheduled for resurfacing.

The Donaldson Park project should open by Easter 2009, said Sutherland about the FRDAP grant project with a price tag of $135,000.

Sutherland expected that community support will offset additional expenses, along with a $20,000 RPAC grant, for improvements to Durrah Martin Park.

Public drinking water should be replaced with water from a yet-to-be drilled well to help irrigate existing ball fields at Durrah Martin Park.

New RPAC grants, worth $161,000, will finance lighting at Lucy Derkman Softball Field and work at Memorial Field, which will include new soccer infrastructure improvements and refurbishment of a concession stand and bathroom.

Bill Rettew Jr. may be contacted at 386-5857 or wrettew@highlandstoday.com

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