Lakeland - Winter Haven Development News

[FloridaFuture]

Affordable housing on tap for Lakeland's downtown
Tampa Bay Business Journal - 2:42 PM EDT Monday, June 25, 2007

A Lakeland residential project in downtown is finally moving forward.

The city reached a settlement with the two remaining property owners in the area immediately north of the Lakeland Police Department.

"Our two-part goal with this project was to eliminate the blighting conditions that were a drain on city services for many years, and to create a new residential environment that will bolster the downtown economy and the city of Lakeland overall," said Anne Furr, executive director of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority.

The LDDA has assembled nearly 60 acres for the project, which will include 450 units of new townhomes and condominiums to be built in a number of phases over the next several years. The LDDA will work with the developer to create work force housing units affordably priced for working families.

Feltrim Development of Davenport was selected by the LDDA in 2006 as the project developer.

http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tamp...ml?jst=b_ln_hl

[FlaNatv]

Does anyone have any development updates on Posner Park? I haven't been by I4&US27 recently.

[FlaNatv]

A visual update from I-4 shows that the Super Target structure is up. And more retail space is under construction beside it. I heard from someone at a local diner there that a nice hotel is going to be built on the NE corner somewhat behind Denny's and it's to include a fine dining restaurant.

It's interesting how the urban gap is closing between ORL and T-BAY. As you drive East it feels like you've arrived to Metro Orlando once you hit US-27. The only area where you feel like you're in "uninhabited country" is between SR-557 and W of US-27. That's only 5 miles.

[FLAWDA-FELLA]

I believe that is an accurate observation FlaNatv. I was just driving along that same stretch of I-4 this past weekend. I remember that area where Supertarget is currently being built, was an amusement park back in the late 80's. Imo, I predict the 4 corners and along US 27 could potentially be the next hot spot along the I-4 corridor.

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by FlaNatv

Does anyone have any development updates on Posner Park? I haven't been by I4&US27 recently.

Below is a link to a press release as of August 27th 2007 regarding the development of Posner Park followed by a Ledger piece from July.

http://www.trammellcrow.com/tcwebwww...ner%20Park.pdf

http://www.theledger.com/article/200...707200308/1178

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by FLAWDA-FELLA

I believe that is an accurate observation FlaNatv. I was just driving along that same stretch of I-4 this past weekend. I remember that area where Supertarget is currently being built, was an amusement park back in the late 80's. Imo, I predict the 4 corners and along US 27 could potentially be the next hot spot along the I-4 corridor.

Growing up, that site used to be Circus World and then Boardwark & Baseball.

[HeartofFlorida]

New Hampton Inn & Suites at Lakeside Village almost complete. Expected opening March 20, 2008.

[HeartofFlorida]

In other Polk news, it appears that the Heartland Parkway (or a different version of it) is back on the table.

The Heartland Parkway Is Back On Track

Agenda December 13th TPO meeting

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by bigboyz2004

Post all construction projects here.

Big USF Polytechnic Gift Suggests More Than Just Money

[FloridaFuture]

Downtown Lakeland teams with St. Louis firm to build branding
Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - 12:15 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Journal

The Lakeland Downtown Development Authority has hired Kiku Obata & Company, a design firm based in St. Louis, to help establish its brand identity.

The Development Authority aims to establish it as a destination for new businesses, residents and visitors.

The campaign is currently conducting a survey to gauge how the community views downtown Lakeland. All surveys must be sent in by June 18.

http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tamp...ml?jst=b_ln_hl

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by FloridaFuture

Downtown Lakeland teams with St. Louis firm to build branding
Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - 12:15 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Business Journal

The Lakeland Downtown Development Authority has hired Kiku Obata & Company, a design firm based in St. Louis, to help establish its brand identity.

The Development Authority aims to establish it as a destination for new businesses, residents and visitors.

The campaign is currently conducting a survey to gauge how the community views downtown Lakeland. All surveys must be sent in by June 18.

http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tamp...ml?jst=b_ln_hl

Interesting

[FlaNatv]

I went to a great Auto Show this weekend in Downtown Lakeland. Downtown Lakeland is outstanding for being a mid-sized town. The parks, the promenades, the gardens, the architecture, the preservation, the urban renewal, the number of restaurants and shops, it was all tremendous.

[TampaMike]

Originally Posted by FlaNatv

I went to a great Auto Show this weekend in Downtown Lakeland. Downtown Lakeland is outstanding for being a mid-sized town. The parks, the promenades, the gardens, the architecture, the preservation, the urban renewal, the number of restaurants and shops, it was all tremendous.

DT Lakeland has amazing parks and overall greenspace.

[FlaNatv]

From the Downtown Lakeland Auto Show 10/18


around Lake Mirror
image hosted on flickr


Amtrak Station in the background
image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


Kentucky Ave Actaully Massachusetts Ave
image hosted on flickr


Kentucky Ave
image hosted on flickr


Main Street across from Munn Park
image hosted on flickr


Munn Park
image hosted on flickr


Main Street
image hosted on flickr


Downtown Bus Terminal
image hosted on flickr

[Lakelander]

Great pics. Downtown Lakeland has come a long way since Maas Brothers and JCPenney shut their stores down around 1989/1990. It was a dump during my college days.

[FloridaFuture]

Nice. I've never been to downtown Lakeland.

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by FlaNatv

From the Downtown Lakeland Auto Show 10/18


around Lake Mirror
image hosted on flickr


Amtrak Station in the background
image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


Kentucky Ave
image hosted on flickr


Kentucky Ave
image hosted on flickr


Main Street across from Munn Park
image hosted on flickr


Munn Park
image hosted on flickr


Main Street
image hosted on flickr


Downtown Bus Terminal
image hosted on flickr

Definately great pics. I always manage to miss the car show.

[jzquince69]

those are some fantastic shots. the lakefront is gorgeous.

seeing all those DeLoreans at once is surreal; similar experience 2 years ago at an auto pre-show at Baldwin in Orlando; I was more interested in those cars than the Ferraris. No Christopher Lloyd, though.

The boats are so Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.


I noticed, HeartofFlorida, in your caption, a link to the CSX ILC. What's the status with that? Also, I just wanted to mention, with regard to the argument that the extra 4 trains would ruin the complexion of downtown Lakeland, I say take a good look at Winter Park, FL, and see what a success it still is with all the train traffic rolling through there... not to mention Downtown Orlando-The only time trains are an issue is if you are going E-W or trying to hit I-4 EB ala Ivanhoe. Now, Anderson St. overpass is complete and it's not an issue anymore.

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by jzquince69

those are some fantastic shots. the lakefront is gorgeous.

seeing all those DeLoreans at once is surreal; similar experience 2 years ago at an auto pre-show at Baldwin in Orlando; I was more interested in those cars than the Ferraris. No Christopher Lloyd, though.

The boats are so Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.


I noticed, HeartofFlorida, in your caption, a link to the CSX ILC. What's the status with that? Also, I just wanted to mention, with regard to the argument that the extra 4 trains would ruin the complexion of downtown Lakeland, I say take a good look at Winter Park, FL, and see what a success it still is with all the train traffic rolling through there... not to mention Downtown Orlando-The only time trains are an issue is if you are going E-W or trying to hit I-4 EB ala Ivanhoe. Now, Anderson St. overpass is complete and it's not an issue anymore.

Oh, yeah. I had that link set up before the fight with Lakeland started. Yes, the project is still on. Winter Haven commissioners gave their preliminary approval for the project with some minor changes. The Department of Community Affairs is still reviewing the project but from all appearances, it should be approved.

With regards to 4 trains ruining downtown Lakeland, I totally disagree that it ever would. I'm no longer there but I do get down there from time to time. Rail traffic wasn't an issue until it was made an issue by one Paula Dockery for reasons unknown. For a city that's so bothered by trains, why close a station west of downtown to build a multi-million dollar downtown Amtrak station on Lake Mirror that cause arriving/departing trains to impeded traffic twice a day while loading/unloading passengers? The construction of Lofts-on-the-Park was designed with soundproofing material since it was next to the rail line.

I'm sorry but there is more behind this entire story that will ever be revealed to the public. Money is the motivator.

http://www.newschief.com/article/200...NEWS/810160311

[Haldir07]

Originally Posted by FlaNatv

I went to a great Auto Show this weekend in Downtown Lakeland. Downtown Lakeland is outstanding for being a mid-sized town. The parks, the promenades, the gardens, the architecture, the preservation, the urban renewal, the number of restaurants and shops, it was all tremendous.

nice