Civic Power · Org
City of Lake Wales
Planning, infrastructure, and redevelopment policy. Controls zoning, redevelopment approvals, infrastructure projects, and grant allocations.
Visit →Lake Wales influence map
Who shapes this city.
The town's future is shaped by overlapping circles: city government, economic development, redevelopment advocates, institutions, historic planning, funding programs, and cultural anchors. Know who they are before you pitch, permit or partner.
22 actors
Civic Power · Org
Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency
Controls redevelopment districts, property incentives, and project approvals. Has sold CRA-owned property on vacant lots to spur development and enhance the tax base.
Civic Power · Org
Lake Wales Planning and Zoning Board
Approves land use and development changes.
Civic Power · Org
Lake Wales Code Enforcement Board
Influences redevelopment indirectly by addressing blight and property compliance.
Economic · Org
Lake Wales Main Street
Downtown business development, events, and preservation.
Economic · Org
Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce
Business recruitment and networking.
Visit →Economic · Org
Central Florida Development Council
Large-scale investment and economic recruitment.
Visit →Redevelopment · Person
Sara Jones
President of the Lincoln Community Development Corporation and founder of Sara Jones Law. In 2021 she purchased two CRA-owned parcels on Lincoln Avenue to build a three-story, 3,600 sq ft office complex designed as both law office and community asset — co-working space, event venue, covered balcony.
“The legacy of the neighborhood is inextricably connected with my own history, and I am deeply invested in its future.”
Redevelopment · Org
Lincoln Community Development Corporation
Focused on revitalizing the Lincoln Avenue historic Black business district — the street that refused to be forgotten — and connecting its legacy to the broader Lake Wales Connected vision.
Redevelopment · Program
Lake Wales Connected
Award-winning revitalization blueprint for Downtown and the Northwest neighborhood, by Dover, Kohl & Partners. Revives the Olmsted Brothers' 'city in a garden' vision. Winner: FRA Best Planning Project (2020), APA Florida Plan It Award (2021).
Redevelopment · Org
Dover, Kohl & Partners
The Coral Gables town-planning firm behind Lake Wales Connected and Lake Wales Envisioned. Portfolio spans Chattanooga to Panama City to Charlotte Amalie. Walkable urbanism, community-driven design, form-based codes.
Visit →Institutional · Org
Bok Tower Gardens
The region's largest tourism draw and cultural institution.
Visit →Institutional · Org
Warner University
Major employer and student population center.
Visit →Institutional · Org
Mountain Lake Corporation
Influential in regional planning and preservation.
Historic Planning · Person
Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.
Created the city's 1929 master plan; also designed the gardens at Bok Tower.
Historic Planning · Org
Olmsted Brothers
Responsible for the 'city in a garden' planning concept; successors to Frederick Law Olmsted Sr.
Funding · Program
Federal RAISE Grant Program
$22.9 million for street improvements, drainage, and connectivity through the Northwest neighborhood.
Visit →Funding · Org
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Funding trail expansion.
Visit →Funding · Program
State & Federal Transportation Grants
Stack underneath the RAISE grant for street redesign, pedestrian improvements, and bike trails.
Cultural · Program
Pioneer Days Festival
One of the city's largest cultural events.
Cultural · Org
Lake Wailes Park
Major community gathering place on the lakefront.
Cultural · Org
Local Nonprofits & Civic Groups
Often drive neighborhood-level projects.
Listed here?
Send corrections, additions or links to email@jasonwade.com. For contacts and fees, see the Business Directory.