Bagwell Lumber breaks ground for new expansion project

Bagwell Lumber has broken ground on its new storage facility at North Central Avenue in Avon Park.

It is projected to be completed within six to eight months, with construction personnel now working on the foundation.

The new structure is located on a 0.95-acre location near Bagwell Lumber’s Avon Park operation and the Avon Park Depot Museum. It is around 12,000 square feet and will give additional space and organization for the lumber industry.

“It’ll be mostly for storage, I don’t know what it will become,” said Gary Bagwell, the president of Bagwell Lumber Co.,.

“It might become more. We’ll see what happens from that point on. I’m a slow growth type of guy.”

Bagwell stated that the project was more elaborate than anticipated because it sits near train tracks, which necessitates a stronger foundation than usual to ensure safety and construction regulations.

He went on to say that for the time being, the new facility will mostly store doors and windows in dry conditions.

“It’s been coming on for years, I just want to get more organized and a little more efficient in what we do,” Bagwell added.

“You will get a lot of semis in here, and it’ll make it a little easier for them to get in and out for distribution and all.”

Construction began in mid-June on the new facility, which will be located at 82 N. Central Ave.

Bagwell Lumber Co., at 309 W. Pleasant St., has been in business for 67 years, providing building materials to the neighborhood.

Tommy Bagwell opened the Avon Park Lumber Yard in August 1957. Three generations later, Gary Bagwell leads the firm, working alongside his son Dusty (fourth generation) to maintain one of the area’s oldest family companies.