2024 Fall Roundtable

REDEMPTIFICATION AND INCREMENTAL TOWN BUILDING IN THE BELLY OF THE BEAST

Over the last several years, Central Florida has been the fastest growing census area of the country. But much of its accompanying development has been exploitative and, at best, unintentional. Join us in Winter Haven (the “Chain of Lakes City”) to examine a downtown development experience that has succeeded by using local capital to revive and animate one building at a time, We’ll also explore a revival of a Federick Olmsted plan to make nearby Lake Wales “a city in a garden”, and brainstorm and share solutions to the most stubborn issues facing downtown developers.

Broadly recognized as Florida’s inland coast boasting forty seven lakes and ninety one miles of fresh water shoreline, the city of Winter Haven along with partners like developer and NTBA member Six Ten LLC are revitalizing, energizing and investing in the future of their community. Joe Bogdahn of Six Ten LLC believes that downtown is everybody’s backyard and along with his team, they see an opportunity to embrace the rapid growth of central Florida and ensure Winter Haven is a destination for people to thrive while retaining the authenticity and lifestyle enjoyed by everyone who call it home.