WINTER PARK, Fla. — The last time Park Avenue in Winter Park saw a refresh was in the late 90s. But starting Jan. 20, anyone visiting the busy street will see some updates.
What You Need To Know
Winter Park leaders approved a $2.5 million multi-year project, Park Avenue Refresh
Starting Jan. 20, refurbishments will affect Webster Avenue to Garfield Avenue
The project will improve the street’s safety and curb appeal
City leaders approved refreshing Park Avenue to improve the area’s safety and curb appeal. Phase one of the project costs $2.5 million of CRA funding.
The refurbishments will affect Webster Avenue to Garfield Avenue. Clarissa Howard, the project manager, says work will be done one block at a time.
Raised planter boxes will get repaired and get a cast molding, so they’re more comfortable to sit on. Additional planter boxes will be placed at crosswalks too, doubling as a safety measure.
Rendering of bollards and planter pots for Winter Park’s Park Avenue project. (Courtesy of city of Winter Park)
“You’ve heard around the country where there are cars that drive onto sidewalks and into public gathering spaces. These planter pots, along with the addition of some strategically placed bollards, will help prevent that from happening here in downtown and keep the safety of our residents and guests,” said Howard.
Tree wells will get cleaned up to look more uniform. Seasonal landscaping and new trash cans are part of the project too.
Howard told Spectrum News one of their biggest improvements will be the streetlight poles along the avenue. Right now, they have brackets to accommodate for technology improvements that weren’t around when the lights were installed.
The new lights will improve lighting and integrate technology — making it a “smart pole” — and hold double-hanging planters.
Rendering of light posts, trash cans, and raised planter boxes for Winter Park’s Park Avenue project. (Courtesy of city of Winter Park)
“It not only satisfies the technological needs we have today, but also in preparation for 30 years from now,” said Howard.
The construction will cause some disruptions for those along Park Avenue. Howard says lanes will be closed and parking will be limited while each block gets refreshed.
However, sidewalks will stay open and additional parking will be offered on Morse Boulevard, west of New York Avenue.
“Every business will still be open, every guest will be able to come to their front door, and that was really important for us to maintain that,” said Howard.
Eddie Brown, an employee at Shoooz on Park Ave, says anytime Park Avenue is closed, businesses are affected — but it’s something he’s willing to deal with if it means a better experience overall.
“Any sort of improvement is going to improve the morale and people’s time whenever they come here and should help encourage more people to come and patron the businesses,” said Brown.
Phase one is expected to wrap up this fall. Phase two takes place next year, impacting Garfield Avenue through New England Avenue. Then in 2028, phase three will kick off from New England Avenue to Fairbanks Avenue.