As JC Penneys or Sears anchors any regional mall, the Andy Thornal Company, a premier outdoor outfitter, anchors downtown Winter Haven. Not only does this store draw people from outside Winter Haven’s traditional market area, it attracts a high-end shopper with significant disposable income.

Using the attraction power of the Andy Thornal Company, the South Central Park Area Design Plan will transform the southern side of downtown Winter Haven into a destination place for the City of Winter Haven through a combination of public and private improvements.

The general approach to the creation of a destination place is first and foremost establishing a pedestrian friendly space. This is done through recapturing the public street from the automobile and reassigning it to the pedestrian. Activation of the space is the next important objective. Activation occurs through programming the public space (South Central Park) and on a daily basis establishing restaurants and gathering places in the adjacent business locations.

The overall design plan consists of five major components. These include:

♦ Road Right-Sizing
♦ Building Infill
♦ Adding Architectural Focal Point
♦ Finishing South Central Park, and
♦ Establishing a Gateway at 6th Street and Avenue A SW and 6th Street and West Central Avenue.

For additional information and/or a CD containing the entire South Park Design, call the Main Street Winter Haven office at (863) 295-9422.