South Florida Corridor Art Infusion Grant Project - Building Facade & Mural Program

mid-century modern Dixieland neighborhood sign in Lakeland FL

LAKELAND, FL (January 29, 2021) | The Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is launching a new program for façade improvement and it comes with an art component to help bring color and life to one of the City’s main corridors. The Art Infusion Grant Program will launch February 15^th and it was developed for the purpose of refreshing building facades and encouraging artistic expression through murals. Commercial properties along the South Florida Avenue corridor in Dixieland and Downtown from George Jenkins Boulevard to Lenox Street (see attached map) are eligible for the grant program.

Eligibility for Properties/Businesses:

The grant program is available to all properties/businesses within the priority area, subject to specific terms and condition. Qualifying criteria, benefits, and/or limits of the program may be increased or decreased at the discretion of the CRA. As a condition of approval, property/business owners receiving benefits using Dixieland Art Infusion funds will agree to remain in the same location a minimum of five (5) years after improvements have been made. Once a grant has been awarded, neither the businesses occupying that property nor the building owner can reapply for another grant for the same location for a five (5) year period. A more detailed guide on the program is provided below.

Alis Drumgo, CRA Manager said, “Dixieland has experienced an explosion of infill renovation projects over the last couple of years that brought us Born and Bread Bakehouse, Patriot Coffee, and Union Hall. We also owe it to the longstanding family businesses, boutique shops, eateries, and residents that have helped Dixieland hit its full potential over the last few years. For this project, we created a set of color palettes inspired by Old Dixieland. Art is a known contributor to revitalizing communities and we have a mission to add art to every redevelopment project. We’re excited about the buzz going into this and when it is all said and done, the facades will pop!”

Apply:

Commercial property owners along this designated corridor are welcome to apply online by visiting LakelandCRA.net/ArtInfusion. Façade improvements may include paint, awnings, and murals. Approved businesses will be matched with an artist for mural installation. Property owner applications will open on February 15^th, 2021 at 9 a.m. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Simultaneously, a national call for artist entry will be conducted via CAFÉ. Interested artists will need to set up an online account with CAFÉ and submit portfolio for consideration.

Drumgo said, “The lack of pedestrian safety and deteriorating façades along the South Florida corridor left a lot to be desired due to the proximity of passing traffic. The South Florida road diet test is in full operation and the new traffic pattern has allowed the buildings to breathe a bit. This next phase will hopefully encourage residents and visitors to take back public spaces and enjoy the outdoors as was the case historically in Dixieland. We believe the murals will be a big draw to help bring more visitors to the area!”

Art Infusion Contact:

For more information, call the CRA office at 863.834.5200, visit LakelandCRA.net/ArtInfusion , or email Shelley Guiseppi, CRA project manager at Shelley.Guiseppi@lakelandgov.net.

Full Project Info: Dixieland Art Infusion

Map
Dixieland Art Infusion Overview

The Dixieland Art Infusion, spans the Florida Avenue corridor in the Dixieland and Downtown CRA districts Its purpose is centered on refreshing building façades and encouraging artistic expression, and engagement or the art community, through the installation of murals (Exhibit A). The long-term goal is to further establish the Dixieland Corridor as a destination for Lakelanders and visitors alike.
Eligibility & Conditions

The grant program is available to all properties/businesses within the Priority Area, subject to specific terms and condition. Qualifying criteria, benefits, and/or limits of the program may be increased or decreased at the discretion of the CRA. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

As a condition of approval, property/business owners receiving benefits using Dixieland Art Infusion funds will agree to remain in the same location a minimum of five (5) years after improvements have been made. If improvements are replaced within five (5) years of installation/completion, the recipient must pay a pro-rata portion of the grant proceeds invested in the project for the number of months remaining. Once a grant has been awarded, neither the businesses occupying that property, nor the building owner can reapply for another grant for the same location for a five (5) year period.

Lakeland CRA, facilitating an online Call for Artists, will engage property/business owners and artists for the installation of murals. Selected artists will agree to the terms outlined in the Artist Agreement prior to the commencement of work.
Pre-Application Consultation

Interested property/business owners must schedule an appointment with a CRA Project Manager prior to preparing an application for submittal. Meetings can be facilitated virtually.
Property/Business Owner Process
1. The property/business owner will submit Dixieland Art Infusion
2. The CRA will review the application for completeness. A post-application submittal conference may be held with the owner for this purpose. Additional information may be requested during this
3. The CRA will provide owner with façade improvement options and artists’ information to select
4. Once an artist is selected by the owner, a kick-off meeting will be initiated by the CRA with the owner and artist to begin concept work for mural
5. If an acceptable concept cannot be agreed upon, the owner will be connected with a new artist until an agreement is reached . The owner will be given a maximum or three (3) opportunities to select and artists whose mural concept is
Façade improvements will be completed, followed by installation of the mural.
Artist Process
1. The artist will register and upload portfolio during online Call for
2. Once an artist is selected by the property/business owner, a kick-off meeting will be initiated by the CRA with the owner and artist to begin concept work for mural
3. If a mural concept cannot be agreed upon, the artist will not be selected. The CRA will provide a $100.00 stipend to the artists for their time. The building owner and CRA will then proceed with a different artist to begin the process again.
4. The Artist Agreement is executed once the owner makes an artist selection and agrees to a concept approved by the
5. The selected artist installs the mural; following the completion of any required façade improvements.
CRA Contact Info

Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency
City Hall, 3rd Floor
228 South Massachusetts Avenue
Lakeland, Florida 33801
Phone: 863.834.5200
Email: LCRA@lakelandgov.net

Media Contact

Kevin Cook
Director of Communications
City of Lakeland
863.834.6264
Kevin.Cook@LakelandGov.net

About Lakeland

The City of Lakeland was incorporated in January 1885 and has grown to become one of the largest inland communities in Florida. With a current population of over 100,000, Lakeland continues to grow. It has been designated a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area by the US Census Bureau for over 30 years. With tourist attractions and gulf beaches only an hour away, Lakeland continues to capitalize on its ideal central Florida location along the I-4 corridor. The City owns and operates Lakeland Electric, the third-largest publicly owned utility in Florida and it was one of the first to offer power in the Sunshine State over 110 years ago.

For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please explore LakelandGov.net.
Citizens are also invited to follow the City on social media.

Posted by Communications on 29 Jan 2021