Published: Monday, December 13, 2010 at 7:53 a.m. last Modified: Monday, December 13, 2010 at 7:53 a.m.

LAKE WALES - Refurbishing the downtown Lake Wales streetscape is scheduled to begin by the end of January, city officials reported.

The project will revamp landscaping and improve pedestrian conditions along Park and Stuart avenues between Scenic Highway and First Street under a $331,000 grant from the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

Ads for construction bids will go out by the end of the year, Margaret Swanson, the city’s director of planning and development, said in a news release.

The deadline for project completion is June 2011.

To minimize disruption to downtown businesses, work is scheduled in segments, with only a portion of one side of a street involved at a time. Scheduling details for the estimated two-month construction will be worked out with the selected contractor.

The project will revamp more than 40 “bump-outs,” the landscaped seating areas between bays of street parking. Planting sabal palms in clusters and additional live oaks will double the number of street trees and increase shade and year-round greenery, Swanson said.

Dahoun hollies were chosen to replace eight damaged elms in the Market Place. Trees will also be added in the public parking area next to the Market Place on Park Avenue.

One objective, Swanson said, is to replace aged, woody shrubs with iris, blue daze, liriope and gold mound to give “a softer, more colorful look.” the brick planters will sport red firecracker and small ligustrum trees. Irrigation will be refurbished throughout the project area.

For pedestrians, hazards will be removed and crosswalks and curb ramps added. Triangular landscaped areas at the head of the parking spaces will be paved in response to mishaps and complaints about obstacles between parking spaces and businesses, Swanson said.

Planting areas next to parking spaces will be reshaped to ensure a minimum of 2.5 feet of pavement for people to exit vehicles.

Some newspaper vending machines and trash receptacles must be located to allow clear passage for pedestrians in keeping with the standards of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Although the project funds do not allow for additional street lights, several lights will be relocated to meet ADA requirements, Swanson said. Funds for more lighting will be sought in the future.

Plaza seating areas, including the areas in front of the Arcade on both Stuart and Park avenues, will be repaved to eliminate various pavement types. Colored concrete will be employed to echo the brick checkerboard pavement in the Market Place.

If funds allow, new trees and street parking will added on the north side of Central Avenue.

GAI Consultants of Orlando prepared plans and bid specifications and will be responsible for construction supervision, Swanson said. Design concepts were developed with public input and were approved by the city’s Parks and Community Appearance Advisory Board.

Marshall Whidden, a local landscape architect and member of the Parks Board, donated numerous hours to assist with the design. the city’s public works staff, particularly Helen Gay, who maintains the downtown landscaping, provided input and a hands-on perspective.