Tom Dowling
(863) 297-1051

Wales City Commission Approves
Inter-Local Agreement Turning Over
Old City Hall To PCC For New Center

11/30/2006: The Lake Wales City Commission approved an inter-local agreement Monday night turning over the old Lake Wales City Hall to Polk Community College, which plans to convert it into a modern academic center. It will take 18 months to renovate the building, which was severely damaged by the 2004 hurricanes.

         “I want to thank the Lake Wales City Commissioners for this progressive vote, which will result in expanded educational opportunities for residents of Lake Wales and southeast Polk County.” said Eileen Holden, president of PCC. “We are excited about the future in Lake Wales as this new center grows, opens, increases access to PCC programs and has a positive impact on the local economy.”            

The PCC District Board of Trustees met earlier Nov. 27 and voted to accept the building contingent on the City Commission’s action.

When the $3.6 million renovation is completed the interior of the historic structure will be outfitted with five 30-seat general classrooms, two 45-seat computer classrooms separated by a moveable wall and a 30-seat classroom/community room, which could be used as a meeting room for local civic groups.

PCC plans to partner with the Lake Wales Charter High School to create a “Bridge to College” program and with the Lake Wales Literacy Coalition.

            PCC projects that the new facility will result in a substantial impact on the local economy. During the 18 month construction phase, a projected $1.1 million in construction spending will occur. The first year the center operates (serving 125 students), the economic impact is projected to be some $604,000. The economic impact will continually grow each year and is expected to exceed $3.3 million after the center operates at maximum capacity of 525 students.

            The building opened in 1927 and served as the Lake Wales City Hall until 1998 when offices moved to a new administrative building. A new section was added to the building in 1970, which included a fire station. The old City Hall suffered severe water and wind damage from the 2004 hurricanes. The fire station addition received the most damage.

            The following year, State Senator J D Alexander was instrumental in securing funds that open the way for the City to donate the historic building to PCC for use as an academic center.            

In March 2005, the Lake Wales City Commission unanimously endorsed the idea of deeding the building to PCC if necessary funds could be secured to develop it into an educational facility. Later that year, the state Board of Education approved PCC’s request to develop a special purpose center in the former City Hall building.

            In this year’s legislative session, Senator Alexander obtained $3,628,453 in Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) funds targeted for the renovation of the facility.

In the architect’s feasibility study commissioned last year the 1970 section will be eliminated adding 17 spaces to the existing parking lot (for a total of 47 spaces) and trimming the structure’s gross square footage from 21,000 to 16,000. The proposed remodeling of the building’s exterior (windows, roof and brick work) will honor the architectural history to the greatest extent possible.

Earlier this year, Lake Wales residents examined the architect’s plans at a public hearing and the project was approved by the Lake Wales Planning and Zoning Commission.