Lake Wales CRA approves lease renewal with charter schools; staff cites $15.5 million campus investment

The Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency on Feb. 10 approved a lease agreement renewal with the Lake Wales Charter School System covering two parcels at the southwest and southeast corners of S. Seminal Avenue and 3rd Street North.

Dina Drongo, assistant city manager, told the board the renewal would include a three‑year initial term and two options to extend for successive periods, and would permit the charter schools to make alterations, additions and improvements provided the parcels are restored to their prior condition before the lease expires. Drongo said staff recommends approval and described approximately $15,500,000 in investments the charter system has made in the Bach North campus across the street from the parcels.

A commissioner asked whether the parcels are currently vacant and how the system could have invested that much; Drongo clarified the $15,500,000 reflects improvements to the nearby Bach North Campus (across the street) and that the two parcels under the lease are supporting parcels for that project. The transcript records that the parcels are vacant at present.

Board members moved and seconded the lease renewal. Because the fiscal impact to the CRA trust fund was listed as $10, the board conducted a roll-call voice vote; Mayor Hillegos, Commissioner Gillespie, Commissioner Thompson and Chair Robin Gibson voted yes and the motion passed.

The approval authorizes staff to finalize the renewal under the terms described in the packet. The transcript does not record additional conditions, a specific schedule for improvements to the parcels, or details about the charter’s restoration obligations beyond the general requirement to restore the parcels prior to lease expiration.