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Lake Wales CRA approves two downtown façade grants to aid historic building renovations
Summary
The City of Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency board approved two façade grants for downtown properties: staff recommended up to $50,000 for 122 North First Street and a $17,350 reimbursement for Yeoman’s Feed & Seed, both approved by voice vote.
The City of Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency board on Wednesday approved two façade grants intended to restore and improve downtown commercial buildings.
The board voted, by voice, to approve staff recommendations for a $50,000 grant to the owners of 122 North First Street and a reimbursement payment of $17,350 for Yeoman’s Feed & Seed at 201 East Orange Avenue. Both actions were presented as part of the CRA’s historic façade grant program and approved without roll-call tallies.
Staff member Ronaleigh Wood told the board that the work at 122 North First Street is complete and that the project reused architectural elements and added individualized awnings and a three-color paint scheme to give the 1940s building more “verticality.” Wood said the design committee prioritized preserving the tile parapet and using coordinated signage. “The building has been completed,” Wood said.
Wood reported that the owners of 122 North First Street provided receipts for improvements that staff said exceeded $100,000; staff recommended the $50,000 grant under the program’s two-to-one match rule. During discussion Commissioners and board members praised the building’s new storefronts and signs and noted the property was previously largely vacant.
On the second property, staff described Yeoman’s Feed & Seed — the long-running business identified by presenters as the oldest continuous business in Lake Wales, with roots back to 1913 — and explained the owners replaced corroded corrugated metal, repaired window and door woodwork, added insulation, and repainted in historically appropriate colors. Wood said Yeoman’s spent $34,700 on eligible work and, under the program’s 50% reimbursement formula, would receive $17,350.
Board members asked whether the grant program’s requirements had been met; Wood replied the projects complied with the program administered through the Community Redevelopment Agency and Lake Wales Main Street, and she recommended approval. The board approved both grants by voice vote.
The board’s discussion included references to expected economic benefits: staff cited increased occupancy, new businesses and customers, and higher property values as typical returns on façade grants. The presentation also included before-and-after images and design-committee input, which staff said guided the color and signage choices.
Staff said the two approvals were separate items on the agenda and both were completed during the meeting.
