Park Avenue Will See $1 Mil for New Street Lights
The high-tech light poles are part of the first major overhaul of the city’s central business district in more than 25 years
April 24, 2025
By Beth Kassab
Commissioners approved nearly $1 million from the Community Redevelopment Agency budget for new high-tech street lights along Park Avenue as part of the commercial corridor’s “Refresh” project.
The city will purchase about 100 light poles at $9,300 each that will include “dark sky” lamp fixtures that cast LED lights downward and include two wi-fi receivers, electric hook-ups for cameras and speakers and internal sprinklers for potted plants that will hang from the fixtures.
Commissioner Marty Sullivan asked if the poles could also mist passersby to help keep the avenue cooler during the hot summer months like the mist sprayers often seen at the theme parks. Architect Alex Stringfellow said the idea was considered, but there were already too many features in the light poles and there were concerns among businesses along the avenue about the sprayers interfering with food service on sidewalk tables.
Mayor Sheila DeCiccio noted that there is money set aside in the CRA for the project. She said when the city’s electric utility completes its years-long project to underline power lines there will be additional money in the utility’s budget to upgrade light poles across the city.
“Park avenue is clearly an economic engine and in need of a refresh,” she said.
The new streetlights along the avenue will be installed in three phases. The lights in place today are 26 years old and were installed when the street was bricked in 1999.
“They are not only antiquated, they are also internally filled with a variety of unnecessary cords and tubing that have been used for many purposes over the years, have become unreliable in some areas, and use an outdated light fixture,” according to a staff report.
The overall refresh project will also include drainage projects, new landscaping and planters and the installation of historic gateway signs that will stretch across both ends of the avenue. Work on the new signs will likely begin at the end of May.
Earlier this month, commissioners also agreed to a “mobility hub” with Mount Dora-based Optimus Energy Solutions that will include a central rideshare drop-off and pick-up area with covered seating, electric car chargers and electric bike chargers. Optimus will pay for construction and operating costs, according to the agreement, and the hub is expected to be in place this summer.
The total cost for construction related to the refresh project as whole is expected to be discussed in August.
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Please tell me they will not install speakers so intrusive music can be piped in, such as they have in downtown Winter Garden. I’m outta here if they do!
I agree with Grace – please no piped in music from the light poles! The music coming from the park is bad enough!
I paid $2500 for a plaque on a lamp in between William Sonoma & the new Imperial when I was head of Keep Winter Park Beautiful… I will be really upset and saddened that it will be removed! This is a waste of money!
Grace is right! No piped in music!
Great. I’ve got challenging hair. If I am near one of those misters it morphs into a giant bird’s nest instantly. I already avoid restaurant patios with those. Now my Park Ave shopping too? Am I alone here? Who else has hair that hates those things?
Becky, I immediately thought the same thing. What was that Commissioner thinking, oh….he wasn’t.
I’m hoping the type of bulbs used for the new street lamps will be a warm light and not that awful stark bright white. Pls advise us all pls.
During the meeting, the architect noted that the light would be a warm yellow tone.
Please no misting! Many of us don’t like being sprayed as we walk down the Avenue. I don’t frequent restaurants either that use those….like one in WP Village!
Please do not use the misting machines like one of the restaurants in Winter Park Village uses. Many of us don’t like being sprayed as we’re walking or dining.