published: Sunday, March 03, 2013

Centennial Park provides gateway to Downtown

By SAMANTHA GHOLAR

sgholar@newssun.com

SEBRING - Only a few more steps are left until the completion of Centennial Park in Downtown Sebring. Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Director Robin Hinote is excited about the new addition to the community of Sebring.

"It will be the entrance to downtown, like a gateway almost,"Hinote said.

The project is being headed by Excavation Point and contracted through other agencies, including La Grow Irrigation.

The park project has been in the works since 2011. The discussion for the park was mulled over by city officials and administrators before the go ahead was given to break ground. Since December, workers have been prepping the spot between Lakeview and Ridgewood for a beautification project.

Over the past few days, large cabbage palms have been placed throughout the park. Perennials, grass and other vegetation have been particularly placed in the area to bring a beautiful spring feel to the park.

"We have held one of the trees for Earth Day on April 27. We will have big ceremony that day and feature the new addition," Hinote said.

Centennial Park has also been approved for signage space; city officials have granted the CRA approval of a scrolling marquee type sign in the park.

"There have been some concerns ... people don't want a TV on the street by any means. But we have been approved for an electronic scrolling sign of some sort. It would be used to showcase upcoming events and things like that," Hinote said.

After the approval from Florida Department of Transportation, Centennial Park will be ready for residents and visitors to enjoy. DOT approval will allow for more paving on the Ridgewood side of the park allowing adequate sidewalks and spacing.

The park does not have an open day set, however Hinote expects that Centennial Park will be completed within the next couple of months.