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The Winter Haven Community Redevelopment Agency, established in 2000, fosters and promotes community redevelopment activities in two designated districts: Downtown and Florence Villa.

The CRA is a “special district” under Florida Statute. The activities of the CRA are detailed in redevelopment plans customized for each district and include:

• Infrastructure Improvements

• Streetscaping or Beautification

• Affordable Housing

• Recreation & Park Facility Improvements

• Economic Development

• Transportation

• Neighborhood Enhancement

The CRA, operated by a Board of Directors, includes the five current City Commissioners and two City residents. The board receives input from two advisory committees, one for each district.

CRA is primarily funded through Tax Increment Financing (TIF), a process of capturing property tax revenues that would normally go to Polk County and the City. TIF funds are deposited into a Redevelopment Trust Fund that can then be spent on specific projects or used to leverage additional financing for larger projects.

The Central Avenue and Central Park Improvement Project was the first major project completed by the CRA. The project goal was to rebuild the aging infrastructure in the Historic Downtown District, providing a more conducive atmosphere for small businesses. The project consisted of reconstructing eight blocks of City sidewalks with new, decorative concrete paver bricks and installation of site amenities. Total project cost was $3.5 million.


Improvement Plans for each district:

• Downtown (7.8MB)

• Florence Villa (9.0MB)

Facade Grant Program

A new facade grant program is available to business and property owners within the CRA. Download a grant application and get more information:

• Facade Grant Application (94KB)

• Facade Grant Letter (90KB)

Lake Maude Natural Area and Sports Complex, WHRCC Playground Improvements and Transportation Improvement Projects

The Lake Maude Natural Area is about 9 acres west of Lake Maude Drive, on the southeast shore of Lake Maude. The parcel consists of woodlands, shoreline and open grassy area. Improvements to the site will include two fishing piers, a half-mile trail, playground, picnic areas, restrooms, interpretive/educational signage, parking and wetland restoration and enhancement.

The Lake Maude Recreation Area is about 26 acres, located east of the Natural Area. A former orange grove, it includes shoreline along the western edge of Lake Idyl. Development of recreational facilities on the site is in the planning stage.


Transportation & Parking Master Plan

Kimley-Horn completed work on a Transportation and Parking Master Plan. Upon review of the work completed a public workshop will be scheduled to receive public input. This project is funded through a $100,000 federal grant to study and recommend parking improvements in the Downtown CRA District.


Recently completed projects:

Third Street Reconstruction, Avenue B SW to Avenue D NW
Avenue T Improvements - Phase II
Florence Villa Phase IV Streetscape