Lake Wales tables resolution on Central Polk Parkway East after residents cite impacts to Bok Tower Gardens

The City Commission of the City of Lake Wales on Feb. 11, 2025 voted 5-0 to table Resolution 2025-01, which objects to the Central Polk Parkway East project as proposed between State Road 60 and U.S. 17/92, after multiple residents urged changes and asked the commission to press state agencies for alternatives.

The resolution, read into the record by the city clerk, would have made findings and provided notice of the city's objection to the study area as presented by state planners. Residents at the meeting said the proposal, in its current alignment options, would harm Bok Tower Gardens, historic neighborhoods including Mountain Lake and Star Lake, and wildlife corridors near Lake of the Hills.

Residents including Catherine Price and Juanita Swarchek told the commission they wanted more local outreach and a town hall with the Transportation Planning Organization, Florida Department of Transportation and Florida Turnpike Enterprise. "Bok Tower Gardens is so important to this city," said Juanita Swarchek, adding that the national landmark draws visitors and would be harmed by nearby noise, light and air pollution. Catherine Price asked for an open hearing after the city finalizes its position.

Commission discussion ranged from procedural caution to more assertive language. Commissioner Thompson recommended tabling the item to gather more information; he said local and regional mobility plans remain an important framework and urged careful wording so the city can influence rather than simply oppose the project. Commissioner Gillespie and others said they supported delaying for clarity and to add specific recitals addressing Bok Tower Gardens and the Scenic Highway corridor.

Deputy Mayor Curtis Gibson indicated staff already had outreach planned and that the Turnpike Authority had been receptive to alternative options after last week's work session. Commissioners asked staff and the city attorney to draft a revised resolution that (1) cites the city's concerns about impacts to Bok Tower Gardens, Lake of the Hills and Scenic Highway, (2) requests direct town-hall–style engagement within Lake Wales, and (3) asks the Turnpike Authority to consider alternate alignments such as elevated options or routes that avoid established neighborhoods.

A motion to table consideration of Resolution 2025-01 and return with a revised draft at a special meeting/work session carried on a roll-call vote of 5-0. The clerk announced the commission would meet in a special session to consider the revised resolution prior to the Turnpike/authority meeting the following week.

The meeting record shows the commission did not adopt a final objection; the action taken was limited to tabling and directing staff to prepare revised language and to pursue citizen engagement in Lake Wales.

Note: The commission and several speakers referenced the city's and Polk County's mobility planning, the 2012 corridor plan and recent modifications to proposed alignments; those items were discussed as background to local concerns but no binding change to the city's mobility plan was made at the meeting.