Lakeland - Winter Haven Development News

[Lakelander]

If they can carve out their own niche, in the market, they'll be fine. Cypress Gardens is only about 20 or 30 minutes south of the I-4/US 27 interchange.

[SkyDiveJunkee]

^How can they carve out their own niche in a market already focused on family oriented tourism, in that poor location? Let's be honest, this is not an ideal setting for a theme park (Cypress Gardens was not one).

[Lakelander]

I don't know what the answer is but Busch Gardens seems to do okay and its not directly on I-4. I really don't think, in the grand scheme of things, the location is that bad. Its not like its in Sebring or Arcadia. Cypress Gardens did struggle its last 15 years or so but Merlin brings something to the table the old owners never had. That's significant capital and experience in the industry.

[TampaMike]

But Busch Gardens is in a mid-sized city, has numerous things going around them, and does have I-4 and I-75 nearby. Cypress Gardens which was a nice park, doesn't have the things like USF and beaches nearby going for them.

[SkyDiveJunkee]

Busch Gardens is in a well known, large metro area focused on it's own brand of tourism (cruise industry, Ybor, etc) and attracts millions of visitors a year. It helps that Busch Gardens is an extremely well known brand. Merlin, while the second largest in the world, is still relatively obscure in the US.

Like I said, great news for Polk.

[Lakelander]

Legoland Florida: Merlin Entertainments reveals details of new Winter Haven park

Central Florida will be home to the world's largest Legoland by the end of 2011, Merlin Entertainments Group said Thursday.

The park, which is planned for the former site of the historic Cypress Gardens, is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs. The historical gardens will stay intact, according to Nick Varney, Merlin's chief executive officer.

Varney announced the details of Florida's newest theme park at a news conference attended by government and tourism officials, including Florida Governor Charlie Crist.

Varney kicked off the event by calling Legoland Florida's "worst-kept secret," referring to the fact that details of today's announcement leaked out Wednesday, after an email surfaced confirming that it was indeed Legoland that was coming to Polk County.

Legoland, Varney said, "is without question one of the strongest brands in the world."

The Florida park is Legoland's second U.S. location, after Legoland California in Carlsbad, Calif. The addition of a Legoland in the Sunshine State is part of a broader push into the U.S. for Merlin.

"We see it as a big development market for us," Varney said.

Merlin Entertainments said it plans to make a "substantial investment" in the Polk County attraction. Governor Charlie Crist went further, saying the company will put hundreds of millions of dollars into the project.

In exchange for building a Legoland in Winter Haven, Merlin Entertainments will receive $5 million in incentives from Polk County over a 10 year period, plus road improvements. The package includes $150,000 per year for job creation and $350,000 per year in marketing support, sources said.

"Obviously in these challenging economic times, these jobs are fabulous," said Florida Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trave...,1659229.story

[FlaNatv]

Isn't there already a plan to build a toll road from 429 and I4 down around Winter Haven and hook into the eastern Polk Parkway. This is part of the Florida Heartland Parkway proposal. If built, this will make them less isolated.

[Lakelander]

Yes, there is a study underway. Btw, here is a little information about the site selection process from the Orlando Sentinel article.

Merlin said it scouted multiple locations in the Orlando area, but eventually chose the out-of-the-way Polk County spot because of the value of its existing infrastructure.

Renovating a pre-existing theme park, instead of building from scratch, will help Merlin shave years off the development timeline, allowing it to get the park up and running in less than two years.

"If we'd gone anywhere else it would have taken 4 or 5 years," Varney said. He added that the company eventually hopes to turn Legoland Florida into a resort by adding an on-site hotel.

In exchange for building a Legoland in Winter Haven, Merlin Entertainments will receive $5 million in incentives from Polk County over a 10-year period. The package includes $150,000 per year for job creation and $350,000 per year in marketing support, Polk County economic development officials said. The company said it has also talked with government officials about improving road links between Orlando and Winter Haven, but did not provide specifics.

The Florida park is Legoland's second U.S. location, after Legoland California in Carlsbad, Calif. The addition of a Legoland in the Sunshine State is part of a broader push into the U.S. for Merlin.

"We see it as a big development market for us," Varney said. Lego, Varney said, "is without question one of the strongest brands in the world."

Merlin did not provide attendance projections for the Florida park, but said its other Legolands draw between 1.5 million and 2 million people a year.

[HeartofFlorida]

For those that like legos......

[HeartofFlorida]

It's about time!

Widening of Lakeland Highlands Road Begins Soon

LAKELAND | If you live along Lakeland Highlands Road or use it to commute, you might want to give yourself a little extra time the next two years.

Work is scheduled to begin by the end of this month on the widening of the 3.2-mile section of Lakeland Highlands Road between County Road 540A and the Polk Parkway.

The project won't be completed until the fall of 2011.

Following are some questions and answers to help you through the disruption.

Q. Why is the road being widened?

A. To keep traffic flowing. The road, which carries an average of 18,000 to 22,000 vehicles a day, is overcrowded often during rush hour. The situation has worsened since the opening of Highlands Grove Elementary School in 2007.

Q. What can people expect while the work is going on?

A. The usual inconveniences that accompany any road-widening project: delays, lane closures and lane shifts as work progresses.

Q. How will I know what's going on?

A. County officials are sending information to all homeowners along the corridor. They also will be installing electronic message boards along the route.

Q. Will the road be closed?

A. No. Traffic will be maintained throughout the project.

Q. Where will work start?

A. The work will be occurring all along the road and will involve multiple work crews.

Q. When will work occur?

A. Primarily in the daytime, though there may be occasions when night work is necessary.

Q. Are any detours planned?

A. No. However, motorists who don't need to travel along that section of the road should consider avoiding it. In addition, there are plans to post advisories on the Polk Parkway to steer as much traffic as possible away from the Lakeland Highlands Road exit.

Q. Who's doing the work and how much will it cost?

A. The County Commission awarded the construction bid to city-based Kamminga and Roodvoets for $13.5 million. The planning and design was done by URS Southern Corp. for $2.4 million.

Q. Where is the money coming from?

A. From the county's $1 per $1,000 of taxable value transportation property tax the County Commission approved in 2005 by a vote of 4-to-1. This is one of three major sources of road-improvement funds used by county government. The others are gas taxes and road impact fees.

Q. So none of the 5-cent local-option gas tax that the County Commission adopted 4-1 in 1999 is being used for this project?

A. That's correct. A major project the local 5-cent gas tax recently funded in part was the County Road 540-A widening as well as a number of intersection improvements all over Polk County.

Q. What will Lakeland Highlands Road look like when it's completed?

A. It will be a four-lane divided highway with a 6-foot-wide sidewalk on both sides of the road. In addition, there are going to be separate right-turn and left-turn lanes at major intersections.

Q. Will there be bike lanes?

A. There will be a 4-foot-wide paved shoulder that can serve as a bike lane.

Q. Will there be more traffic lights?

A. Yes. New traffic lights will be installed at the entrance to Highlands Grove Elementary School, which already has a temporary light, and at Stoney Point Drive.

Q. The road has been a problem for years. Why wasn't it widened sooner?

A. Lack of funding. In addition, it typically takes five to seven years to plan and construct a road project. Studies leading to the design of the road began in 2006. The design was completed last August.

Q. I noticed some houses were demolished along the route. How much did right of way purchase cost?

A. Nine homes were demolished. Right of way cost $17.3 million

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by HeartofFlorida

I'm not making this one up people. In addition to the garage (which is solar-powered), intermodal transit center and retail center in downtown Bartow.

County To Seek Stimulus Funds for Parking Garage

It's officially dead. Can't say I'm shocked.
Polk County denied TIGER transportation grant

BARTOW - The Polk County Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) was dealt a blow last week when it was denied a major transportation grant.

Polk County was one of 1,400 applicants for a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant, but wasn't one of the 51 applicants chosen. A total of $1.5 billion was available under the TIGER program in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The recovery act was put in place to fund transportation projects that have a significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area, or region. Since 2009, the TIGER program has been allocated another $600 million for fiscal year 2010, meaning at least one more round of project awards will be made.

According to Jennifer Stults, the long-range planning directory for the county, TPO officials aren't discouraged about not receiving the grant.

"We will look to other grants and keep on pursuing different options," Stults said.

The projected use for the TIGER grant was the construction of a regional intermodal transportation headquarters in Bartow at a cost of just over $132 million.

The headquarters would feature public transportation access, a park-and-ride facility for up to 2,400 vehicles, bicycle racks, charging stations for electric vehicles, a future rail terminal, and a zero-emission buses and a rooftop solar array to provide clean, renewable energy for its own use.

Stults said county officials were hoping to obtain the grant even though it was a nationally competitive process.

"We were checking the Web site consistently and, as always, hoping for the best," Stults said.

The transportation headquarters would include a 4.5-acre green space plaza, including covered walkways, joining the transportation center with existing buildings on the site.

The site is owned by the county and the current appraised land value is $44.5 million. The total size is 136,000 square feet on four floors.

TPO officials believe approximately 2,860 short-term jobs would be created in the transportation headquarters construction, material supply and support services. These jobs could lead to more than $300 million in economic activity and earnings, according to the TPO.

TPO officials estimate that 60 long-term jobs in retail and office work would be directly attributable to the project annually and that 40 additional long-term jobs in other industries would be supported.

The annual economic impact from the transportation headquarters has been estimated at $8 million, according to the TPO.

[HeartofFlorida]

Haven Officials Plan To Tout City Lifestyle

WINTER HAVEN | As city officials move forward their goal will be to sell the Winter Haven lifestyle.

During a Friday workshop called to discuss projects - both planned and pending - commissioners heard updates from department directors on how that lifestyle will look.

This new lifestyle already is being marketed on the city's revamped Web site, where the city describes itself as "distinct" and "premier."

New features on the Web site include promotional videos, photos and a place to file complaints. Those who leave complaints can track their progress.

"It gives accountability to the city and that's what we are about," said Mayor Jeff Potter.

The city's Web site is www.mywinterhaven.com.

During the workshop, Community Development Director David Dickey showed a conceptual design for a mixed commercial development at the Chain of Lakes Complex that will be similar to Lakeside Village in Lakeland. To make the development a reality, Dickey said the commission will need to consider a land use change on the property within the next two months.

"I was initially opposed to it because it was just a concept," said City Commissioner Jamie Beckett. "It's got some excellent value in terms of business development."

The city's staff also is looking at ways to increase downtown parking, such as building a parking garage. Dickey showed an artist rendering of a parking garage fitting seamlessly into the downtown streetscape.

"When you look at it, we didn't want people to see a parking garage," Dickey said. "We tried to build it into the fabric of downtown."

[Lakelander]

I know that Winter Haven has continued to annex a ton of land over the last couple of years. What is the population of the city now?

[HeartofFlorida]

Originally Posted by Lakelander

I know that Winter Haven has continued to annex a ton of land over the last couple of years. What is the population of the city now?

The last estimate I ran across puts Winter Haven around 33,000. Of course, we'll see once the census numbers are tallied.

[HeartofFlorida]

McKay Building in Downtown Lakeland Sold to Broadway Office Investors LLC

The McKay Building in downtown Lakeland has been acquired by Broadway Office Investors LLC, part of Lakeland-based Broadway Real Estate Services. The firm acquired the 27,000-square-foot building for $2.8 million, according to broker Patricia Hendler. The McKay Building, located at Main Street and Kentucky Avenue, houses offices for Merrill Lynch and Kelly Services. Current occupancy is about 90 percent, Hendler said.

Downtown Lakeland's Federal Building Renovation Will Not Include Damaged 1931 Addition

LAKELAND | The old, vacant and originally beautiful Federal Building in downtown Lakeland appears headed for a return to its past glory, 1919 style. But not circa 1931.

MidFlorida Federal Credit Union will renovate the building.

Without taking a formal vote, city commissioners Monday approved MidFlorida's plan. They had all given the project a thumbs-up Friday.

Under the terms of tentative agreement, MidFlorida will pay the cost of the renovation, estimated at $800,000 to $1 million. In return, the city will lease the property to MidFlorida for at least 40 years for $1 per year.

Construction of the building at Tennessee Avenue and Lemon Street began in 1917 and the building, about 4,000 square feet, was dedicated in 1919.

The building, the city's first post office, doubled size in 1931. But the addition wasn't built as well as the original. The add-on area of the building has been badly damaged by water, with its floor buckling. The damage to the addition made the cost to renovate it unmanageable.

So the 1931 addition, at the rear of the building, will be demolished.

Historic Lakeland President Roger Haar, a former city manager, said his organization was disappointed that the 1931 section would not be renovated, but pleased with the plans for the original building.

"If all the requirements are met, the building will be an asset to downtown," Haar said.

MidFlorida competed with Arabellas Ristorante for the Federal Building, which is owned by the city.

Kevin Jones, MidFlorida's president, said the credit union needed space for meetings and conferences, which the Old Federal Building will provide.

About 1,000 square feet of the building will be a catering kitchen and bathrooms, and 3,000 square feet will be meeting space.

Plans call for other downtown business to have free use of the meeting space and catering kitchen, but catered food must come from downtown restaurants.

Knocking down the 1931 addition will create 30 or 40 parking spaces,

The city and Jones are discussing making the Federal Building a showcase "green" building.

New Signs to Be Placed in Downtown Lakeland

LAKELAND | "You Are Here" on a map usually means you're in a mall. Pretty soon, such signs will likely be spread around downtown Lakeland.

Also, directional signs for "downtown" will soon face drivers on major streets in every direction who are getting close to downtown.

City commissioners will be asked today to approve a $63,860 purchase of 50 signs, installation included. All of the signs will feature downtown's new logo.

"We're trying to create energy about our downtown," said Anne Furr, the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority's executive director.

The 50 signs include 20 "You Are Here" signs with maps that include downtown restaurants, retail businesses and cultural or educational facilities.

Furr said that should help even people who are familiar with downtown to navigate it better.

Most of the 20 signs will be mounted on lampposts.

There will be 16 "Welcome" signs on the perimeter of town and six signs pointing toward downtown, including at Lake Wire and Lake Morton.

Eight signs will point to public parking areas.

The LDDA put the sign contract out to bid and the $63,860 bid by Pennsylvania-based Bunting Graphics was the lowest.

There was only one bid from Polk County, from DixieSigns in Lakeland, for $98,825.

[HeartofFlorida]

Lakeland Makes Energy Star Cities List

LAKELAND | What does Lakeland have in common with cities like Denver, Minneapolis and San Francisco? Something pretty important, actually.

Each of the cities appears on the Environmental Protection Agency's list of the 25 cities with the most Energy Star-labeled buildings in 2009. Lakeland was listed, for the first time, at No. 7. Energy Star buildings cost less to operate and improve the environment.

Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco took the top three spots.

Tim Milcich said this recognition is one the city should be proud of.

"Energy conservation, generally speaking, seems to be at the forefront," he said. "(Being on this list) shows a real commitment for saving energy."

Milcich is currently in the process of opening an Ekon Group office in Lakeland. Ekon specializes in energy management solutions for businesses.

Milcich said that one of the most outstanding examples of the city's energy conservation is South Lakeland's Magnify Credit Union. In August 2009, Magnify completed its new building on County Road 540A. It received a Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. The building creates all the electricity it uses through 309 solar panels.

John Santarpia, president and CEO of Magnify, was surprised when he saw the list.

"We're honored to play a part in that ranking," he said. "It says that if some small credit union can make that leap, anyone can."

Santarpia said that the cooperation from the city, county and Lakeland Electric is what really sets Lakeland apart from the other cities on the list.

"We are smaller," he said. "We can get things done faster. I think all the stars had to be aligned for Lakeland."

Crystal Lester, architect for Furr & Wegman Architects, said that Magnify's project may have spurred other businesses to do the same.

"People are really talking about this," she said.

Lester also pointed out the ease at which businesses can become more energy-conscious, and eventually Energy Star-certified.

"A lot of people are trying to go green, but may not want full LEED certification because of the cost," she said. "So they are becoming Energy Star-certified instead."

Steve Scruggs, executive director of the Lakeland Economic Development Council, recognizes the value of being on a list of this type.

"Green is on everyone's minds," he said.

Scruggs said that he hopes this will show the nation how environmentally friendly Lakeland is, and expressed the hope of seeing growth from it.

"Companies want to be a part of it," he said. "They want to hire high-skill, high-wage employees that are interested in going green."

Mayor Gow Fields shares this hope.

"I'm pleased to see it and see how we are measuring up to the bigger cities," he said.

Fields said that this should show the nation that Lakeland is a "progressive, forward-thinking community."

On April 16, Furr & Wegman, along with Magnify and several other sponsors, will hold a Green Celebration, which will include a solar-powered concert and feature businesses from around the county showcasing their green products.

"The community has really bought into this," Lester said. "It's amazing what is available to us right here in Lakeland."

[FLAWDA-FELLA]

Congrats, quite odd to see little ole "Lakeland" on the list with the big boys.

[HeartofFlorida]

LAKELAND | The University of South Florida Polytechnic has a strong shot at producing pharmacists, a specialty in growing demand.

Bills filed in the Florida Senate and the Florida House call for creating a doctor of pharmacy program at USF. An amendment added to the Senate bill earlier this month specifies having the program at USF Poly in Lakeland instead of on the main Tampa campus.

Sweetening the pot for USF officials, the proposed appropriations bill going before the full Senate on Wednesday would allocate $10 million to establish the program. The bill also would provide $35 million for creating USF Poly's future campus near I-4, which USF envisions as a technology-research magnet.

The two allocations would be more than 10 percent of $300.3 million in the Senate budget for major building projects at Florida's universities. Political observers attribute that to the influence of state Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, the Senate's budget chief.

He is a strong advocate for USF Poly and so far has overridden objections from some legislators who say the pharmacy school should be placed near USF's medical school in Tampa.

The proposed budget in the House doesn't include money for the pharmacy college and has just $10 million for the USF Poly campus, setting the stage for intensive negotiations in this tight budget year.

Not all Senate Republicans are happy with the switch, from Tampa to Lakeland for the new program.

A St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald article Monday first disclosed the pharmacy plans.

The article quoted Sen. Mike Fasano, a New Port Richey Republican who sponsored the Senate's pharmacy school bill, as saying he

thought Hillsborough County was a better location. USF Health, including the colleges of medicine and nursing, is on the Tampa campus.

But state Rep. Seth McKeel, a Lakeland Republican, said he would 'love' to see the pharmacy program at USF Poly.

He said he's filed bills in the past two years for an additional university pharmacy program. The House passed a bill approving the program last year, McKeel said, but the Senate didn't.

Alexander didn't return a call asking for comment Monday.

Local USF Poly officials were pleased but cautious when asked about the likely prospect of ultimately having 300 to 400 pharmacy students educated there.

'I hadn't heard it had been made public yet,' said Gene Engle, chairman of the USF Poly Campus Board. 'We were very much aware of it happening.'

Alexander told USF Poly officials he would work for funding the pharmacy program and would like it to be in Polk County, Engle said.

'We're very excited about it,' Engle added. 'It certainly would be a very positive thing for the USF Poly campus and for the USF system.'

Senate and House analyses say the number of pharmacy jobs in Florida will increase 25 percent by 2017.

What's behind the projected growth? The Agency for Workforce Innovation lists three factors:

An increasing number of middle-aged and elderly people, who use more prescription drugs than younger ones do.

Scientific advances that will make more drug products available.

More insurance coverage of prescriptions.

Florida's existing pharmacy programs are at the University of Florida and Florida A?&?M University, both state universities, and at three independent institutions, Nova Southeastern University, Palm Beach Atlantic University and a new Lake Erie College of Medicine-Bradenton School of Pharmacy.

'This is such a critical need,' McKeel said. 'It's exactly the type of work force we're trying to ensure in the region ó high skill, high wages.'

And increasing the number of students attracted to USF Poly would be an economic boost, Engle said.

Marshall Goodman, campus executive officer of USF Poly, said locating the pharmacy program at his campus is 'the next logical step in a planning process that has been under way for several years and fits perfectly with our region's economic development strategic priorities.'

He said the pharmacy school, starting on the Tampa campus until USF Poly's new campus begins operating in 2012, would retain its affiliation with USF Health in Tampa after the move to Polk County. Having it in Polk County will be a plus for the local economy, Goodman added.

The first class of 50 students would start in fall 2011, with another 75 students coming the second year and 100 enrolled each year until the school reached its capacity in 2016, according to the Senate budget analysis.

The USF Board of Trustees approved starting a pharmacy degree program in June 2008. The Florida Board of Governors approved USF's proposal in January 2009.

Wow!

[Lakelander]

Very interesting. That will be a nice addition to Polk County.

[TampaMike]

Yeah, that's ours!