City commission gave a unanimous nod to the first phase of design recommendations for the most iconic corridor in Winter Park.
The Park Avenue Refresh Project is meant to improve the infrastructure and design consistency between Fairbanks Avenue and Webster Avenue without affecting downtown charm. Project discussions among city department heads began in September of last year with Stringfellow Planning & Design included in November to concept ideas that were brought forward at a January 23 work session.
The list of improvements was compiled during stakeholder meetings and from a citywide survey that yielded 1,306 resident and business responses. Stringfellow company principal Alex Stringfellow, who also serves on the city Planning & Zoning Board, appeared at the February 26 commission meeting to present an updated list of Phase 1 improvements that will encompass the north end of Park Avenue. Installations will begin at Garfield Avenue and proceed block-by-block to Webster. The decision to start at the north end was made to address pressing operational issues with streetlights in the area.
Stringfellow said surveying is currently underway and the project team is being assembled with contractors under consideration. The list of approved upgrades includes:
- Replacing unhealthy trees
- Installing root barriers and new irrigation
- Wifi compatible equipment and remote access control
- New planter, trash can, and bench designs
- Bump-out curbs to calm traffic and separate parallel parking
- Cameras at key locations
- Eliminating unnecessary signs
Park Avenue gateway signs at the north and south ends of the corridor will be part of the overall project, though the northern gateway may be installed after Phase 1 completion. A new streetlight design that features dark sky caps, smart device outlets, and double hanging planters was also presented. And Stringfellow noted that safety bollards previously planned for installation at bump-out curbs along the avenue would be substituted with planters to better fit design standards.
Commission previously approved a $1 million allocation in the CRA budget for the Park Avenue Refresh, and funding is also expected from additional sources as electric and stormwater utility services will be part of the effort.
City of Winter Park Events & Marketing Coordinator Stephanie Silva produced a Park Avenue Refresh page on the city website where additional information and project updates will be posted. The next public hearing for Phase 1 of the Park Avenue Refresh Project is scheduled for the April 23 commission meeting.