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PCC Thanks Sen. Alexander For Appropriations Earmarked For The
Renovation Of Lake Wales City Hall
7/6/2006: Polk
Community College thanked State Senator J D Alexander for his
efforts in obtaining $3,628,453 in Public Education Capital Outlay
(PECO) funds during this year's legislative session. These monies
are targeted for the renovation of the Old Lake Wales City Hall.
Senator Alexander was a guest at PCC's District Board of Trustees
(DBOT) meeting held Monday, June 26. He was instrumental in
opening the door for the City to donate the historical 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 it 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.
PCC is proposing to use the monies to renovate the building into a
16,000 square foot facility 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.
Senator Alexander toured the new Technology Building on PCC/USF's
Lakeland campus and then attended the DBOT meeting. PCC President
Eileen Holden was among those who thanked the state senator at the
meeting. "On behalf of the students, faculty and staff of PCC, I
want to express my sincere appreciation to Senator Alexander for
his efforts in securing funds to establish a center in Lake
Wales'" said Dr. Holden. "We can now move forward working with
city officials to accept the donation of Old City Hall to Polk
Community College. We are excited about providing increased access
to PCC programs and services to the residents of Lake Wales and
the surrounding area."
State Senator J D Alexander was given a large "Thank You" card
for his commitment to securing the funding opening the way for PCC
and the City to discuss donating the building. He expressed his
appreciation to the students, faculty and DBOT members. "Thank you
all and Eileen Holden for her enthusiasm and vision," he said.
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 was severely damaged by the 2004
hurricanes with the fire station addition receiving the most water
and wind damage.
An architect's feasibility study was commissioned last year. It
calls for the elimination of the 1970 section, which will add 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.
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