Historic Preservation Resurveys

• What is the purpose of a survey?

  The goal of the survey is to identify structures that are historically significant and contribute to the character of the historic district. Contributing structures must be at least 50 years old and have a distinct architectural style that is authentic to the era in which it was built.

• How will the survey be conducted?

  A team of 2-4 credentialed surveyors in neon vests will do field inspections to evaluate all structures built before 1975. They will look at the architectural features, materials, and the impact of any modifications.

• Will the surveyors come onto my property?

  No. Surveyors will take notes and pictures from the public right of way (road, sidewalk, alley). They will not access private property.

• What are the benefits of resurveying?

  The results of a resurvey serve as an archival record of a historic district at the time of the survey. The historical overview contained in the Final Report provides a historical and developmental context for each historic district and presents context for resources constructed after the district's current periods of significance. This survey provides a foundation for amending the NRHP-listed East Lake Morton and South Lake Morton Historic Districts to reflect changes in the built environment. Ultimately, this work forms the basis for future preservation efforts in the historic district.

• What is the background of this project?

  A long-term goal of the City’s Historic Preservation Board, efforts to resurvey the City’s historic districts began in 2021. In 2022, The City of Lakeland was awarded a $50,000 matching grant from the Florida Division of Historical Resources to help fund Phase 1 of an expected three-phase project to resurvey all seven of Lakeland’s historic districts. The resurvey plan is as follows:

  • Phase 1 (FY 23) – Complete 2023
    • East Lake Morton
    • South Lake Morton
  • Phase 2 (FY 25) – Expected completion 2025
    • Dixieland
    • Downtown/Munn Park
  • Phase 3 (FY 27) – anticipated completion 2027
    • Beacon Hill
    • Biltmore-Cumberland
    • Lake Hunter Terrace

  PaleoWest, LLC, a cultural resources management consultant based in St. Petersburg, conducted the Phase 1 resurvey and created the final report and recommendations based on their research and findings.

  Ardurra, a different cultural resources management consultant, is in the process of conducting the Phase 2 resurvey.

• Will all the previous contributing structures retain their status?

  Not necessarily. Neighborhoods sometimes lose historic homes to fires or other disasters. Homeowners sometimes make alterations that negatively impact historical integrity. The city estimates that 1% to 5% of previously contributing properties may no longer meet historic standards.

• What will change if my home is identified as “contributing”?

  Not much. Chances are, if your home is recognized as a contributing structure, it’s because you appreciate its history and have taken good care to maintain its original architectural features. The classification officially recognizes the historic qualities that you already value. All structures in historic districts, both contributing and non-contributing, are subject to design review. The only difference is that the Design Review Committee and its staff will want to ensure that future modifications are compatible not only with the district as a whole, but also consistent with the Design Guidelines for Historic Properties.

• Do homes the survey team identifies as “contributing” automatically become designated, or is there another step?

  The consulting firm will complete a Florida Master Site File form for each property that qualifies for contributing status. These are bundled together and submitted to the Florida Division of Historical Resources. Both the National Register of Historic Places listing and the City’s local historic district designation ordinances for Dixieland and Munn Park  will be updated, which will officially designate the new contributing buildings.

• If my house is not identified as “contributing,” can I appeal the decision?

  No. You can contact Historic Preservation Staff at historicpreservation@lakelandgov.net.at the City of Lakeland and ask what the surveyors noted about your address. Fortunately, all property owners in historic districts benefit equally from designation, regardless of an individual property’s status.

• If my house is identified as “contributing,” can I decline the classification?

  No. The classification of buildings as contributing and non-contributing within a historic district is a technical responsibility of the Historic Preservation Board, which is delegated to credentialed, professional staff and consultants. Assigning these statuses without bias or an “opt-in/opt-out” from individual property owners ensures the full historic and architectural integrity of the district.

Phase 1 (FY 22) - East Lake Morton and South Lake Morton - Completed March 2023

• East Lake Morton
• South Lake Morton

The resurvey of the East and South Lake Morton Historic Districts were completed in 2023, and a final report was issued by the City’s consultant, PaleoWest LLC. As a planning and maintenance tool, the periodic resurvey of established historic districts allows the period of significance of an established district to be expanded, newer structures to be included as contributing resources, and existing contributing buildings to be reassessed, which furthers the protection of historic buildings.

• What are the results of the survey?
  • Survey field work occurred October 10-14, 2022.
  • 1,042 historical resources were documented, with 341 newly recorded resources and 701 updated (previously recorded) resources.

   

  Results by District

  East Lake Morton Historic District

  • 300 properties were documented; total of 292 recommended as contributing.
  • 157 of 158 previously recorded resources are recommended as contributing. 913 Vistabula St. (PO03474) is now recommended as non-contributing.
  • 135 of 142 newly recorded resources are recommended as contributing.
  • One additional resource (PO09587 - Florida Citrus Mutual Building) was documented adjacent to the ELM boundary and recommended for inclusion in ELM as a contributing building.
  • 35 resources previously recorded have been demolished.

   

  South Lake Morton Historic District

  • 739 properties were documented; total of 697 recommended as contributing.
  • 528 of 541 previously recorded resources are recommended as contributing; 13 previously recorded contributing resources have lost integrity due to alteration and are recommended as non-contributing.
  • 169 of 198 newly recorded resources recommended as contributing.
  • 39 resources previously recorded have been demolished.
• What are the recommendations as a result of the survey?
  • Pursue boundary amendments to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)-listed East and South Lake Morton Historic District boundaries to match the locally listed boundaries:
    • In the East Lake Morton Historic District, adjust the northern and northwestern boundaries to include the Florida Citrus Mutual Building.
    • In the South Lake Morton Historic District, adjust northeastern, northwest, and southern district boundaries
  • Expand the ELM period of significance from 1900–1940 to 1900–1973. (NRHP amendment)
  • Expand the SLM period of significance from 1904–1935 to 1900–1973. (NRHP amendment)
  • Amend the Criteria for which the South Lake Morton Historic District is listed in the NRHP to include Criteria A and B in addition to Criterion C. (NRHP amendment)
  • Add PO09587 - Florida Citrus Mutual Building to the ELM NRHP and Local designations as a contributing resource. Also individually eligible for NRHP listing.
• How can I find out if my home is a contributing historic structure or not?

  Look up your home address here.

Phase 2 (FY 24) - Dixieland and Downtown/Munn Park- Currently Happening- Expected Completion 2025

• Dixieland
• Downtown/Munn Park

The resurvey of the Dixieland and Munn Park Historic Districts begins in February 2025 and will take about five months. Architectural Historians in hi-visibility vests will be doing field evaluations from February 10-19.
Six firms responded to the City’s request for proposals for Phase 2. The City Commission approved awarding the contract to Ardurra Group, Inc., a national cultural resources consulting firm with offices in Tampa.

Phase 3 (FY 27)- anticipated completion 2027

• Beacon Hill
• Biltmore-Cumberland
• Lake Hunter Terrace