Winter Haven Commission Moves Ahead with U.S. 17 Redevelopment Effort

WINTER HAVEN | The city of Winter Haven is taking steps to transform an eyesore along U.S. 17 into an attractive gateway into the city.

The city wants to establish the Chain of Lakes Redevelopment Incentive District, a proposed designated brownfield area.

The area is about 158 acres east and west of U.S. 17, east of Lake Shipp and south of Avenue O Southwest. It contains the old Vigoro fertilizer plant to the west and the city's Chain O'Lakes Complex to the east.

A brownfield is abandoned, idled or under used industrial or commercial property where expansion, reuse, or redevelopment may be complicated by real or perceived environmental conditions.

The Brownfields Redevelopment Program enables property owners to work with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to clean up contaminated properties and offers financial incentives to encourage redevelopment in blighted areas, according to John Sego, brownfields coordinator for the Southwest District of the DEP.

"The state brownfield program is economic redevelopment working hand in hand with site rehabilitation," Sego said.

Brownfields are identified by local governments and are not necessarily large industrial areas.

The designation qualifies property owners for specific state and federal economic incentives, including a $2,500-per-job corporate income tax credit, a 50 percent state loan credit for building material purchases, and a 50 percent voluntary cleanup tax credit applied against Florida corporate tax.

For the city and its residents, brownfield redevelopment brings new jobs - the creation of at least five new jobs is required by Florida law.

City commissioners Monday unanimously approved a resolution on first reading to establish the district. A vote on final approval is scheduled for April 12.

The designation will aid in the development of a mixed-use planned unit development initiated by property owner Vigoro Acquisition in July 2009. The designation was originally brought forth by developer Tony Benge of Benge Development, who is working with the owners of Vigoro Acquisition.

Benge said he "absolutely has plans to develop the property."

The planned unit development outlines a blend of office and retail establishments and multi-family homes. According to the plan, up to 720 residential units or 566,280 square feet of commercial development can be developed on the approximate 20-acre site.

"The first priority is to design the Brownfield and demolish the fertilizer plant," Benge said. "We see a wide range of uses for the property. I see it more than just a traditional shopping center."

Commissioner Steven Hunnicutt said the brownfield designation will boost the local economy.

"Once we see that Vigoro plant go down, there's going to be a lot of excitement," Hunnicutt said. "I think the possibilities are endless."