Roger Michaud, Mayor, Town of Lake Park

In an interview with Invest:, Roger Michaud, mayor of the Town of Lake Park, discussed the unique offerings of the town, how they are balancing economic growth and development, and what new infrastructure projects are currently in the works.

What are your immediate priorities for the Town of Lake Park?
We would like to have more interactions with the community and bridge the gap, so we can make key decisions together. Some important items that we have right now are redevelopment, infrastructure, and revitalizing our downtown area. We are a small community with many historical components. Progressing with the times without losing our roots is a priority for us.

How is the Town of Lake Park balancing economic growth while maintaining quality of life for its residents?
We are currently receiving very high interest from developers. We have a mixed-use project called Nautilus 220 in the works on the southeast edge of our town that will bring in about 330 residential units as well as several businesses, including a high-end restaurant and sports bar. These businesses will create a significant number of employment opportunities, and the residents of the new condominiums will create a new significant source of revenue for both new and existing businesses throughout the town.

What makes the Town of Lake Park an ideal place to live, work, and play?
We are unique in a few different ways. We do not experience the same amount of traffic as the north and south ends of the area. The houses in town are not homogenous like some newer developments, which makes them special. We provide an eclectic, affordable community with outstanding water views, a diverse array of dining opportunities, and free events throughout the year that cater to people of all ages and interests. In addition, Lake Park, although small in size, is home to hundreds of businesses that offer employment opportunities.

What new amenities, services, or initiatives is the Town of Lake Park looking to offer in order to provide residents with the best quality of life?
Part of our initiative is providing free things for our residents to do. We have events intended to get the community outside and involved. We often utilize music events on our east side of town, which is closest to the water. We recently instituted an annual multi-cultural event designed to engage our diverse community. In addition, we are excited to have brought back our popular fireworks show to help celebrate Independence Day. Fireworks were a popular event in Lake Park for many years, but were discontinued for an extended period of time. They have quickly become one of the most popular events we offer.

What infrastructure, revitalization, or economic expansion projects are in the pipeline?
We are in the midst of road and sidewalk repair projects designed to make Lake Park safer and more welcoming.

To what extent are PPPs a key aspect in bringing economic development to the Town of Lake Park?
PPPs are poised to bring new improvements, new businesses and new employment opportunities to Lake Park, as well as new recreational public spaces.

What are the primary challenges for the Town of Lake Park at the moment?
Currently, our biggest challenge is infrastructure. Everything ages over time and we often have to readdress streets, sidewalks, and other forms of infrastructure. Our staff does a great job at seeking out funding, so these improvements are undertaken at no cost to our residents.

What are the main sectors or industries driving growth and employment in the Town of Lake Park at the moment?
Restaurants, education, and auto repair are significant economic drivers for the Town of Lake Park.

To what extent does the Town of Lake Park benefit from its strategic location in the heart of South Florida?
Lake Park benefits significantly from its proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway. Many residents are attracted to the town because of the scenic views that are available and a number of marine-based businesses, especially boat-repair entities, call Lake Park home because of the plethora of ready-made customers who patronize the Lake Park Harbor Marina.

What measures or initiatives is the Town of Lake Park implementing in order to promote the ease and speed of doing business?
Our staff does a great job on expediting permits while still staying within the constructs of codes and regulations. They work directly with prospective developers and business owners looking to come into our community and are doing what they can to answer any and all questions, and make the entire process as expeditious as possible.

What measures or initiatives is the Town of Lake Park implementing in order to develop tourism and attract more visitors?
We are creating larger-scale events that attract people from other communities, such as Sunset Celebration, our Holiday Tree-Lighting Event, and our Multicultural Event. We are also attracting more events that are hosted by other entities, including the Rust Market and the Lake Park Music and Food Festival.