Community and Economic Development

LAKELAND, FL (July 8, 2021) | In March 2020, in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on local businesses, the City Commission directed staff to relax enforcement of the City’s sign code provisions. This action was in regard to prohibited sign types such as banners, pennants, streamers, and inflatables. 

LAKELAND, FL (June 8, 2021) | City Manager Shawn Sherrouse appointed Brian Rewis as Interim Director of Community & Economic Development. Sherrouse said, “As the Assistant Director, Brian is intimately familiar with the responsibilities of the Department, and he is an advocate for our customers and the citizens we serve. During his 18-year tenure with the City of Lakeland, he has worked his way up in the Department, and I have full confidence that he will continue to provide the highest levels of public service.”

LAKELAND, FL (March 18, 2021) | Construction continues on Summit Consulting’s new eight-story, 135,000 square foot office building located on 1.2 acres at 117 N. Massachusetts Avenue on Lake Mirror in downtown Lakeland. On March 19^th, general contractors will be topping off the shell of this building with the final pour of concrete on the rooftop level.

LAKELAND, FL (February 8, 2021) | The Lakeland City Commission recently established a Targeted Economic Investment Opportunities fund, with an initial investment of $500,000. 

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. 

LAKELAND, FL (November 9, 2020) |  Please join us for a Virtual Community Workshop to discuss Fair Housing in the City of Lakeland. 

LAKELAND, FL (September 1, 2020) | The Lakeland City Commission authorized a 10% reduction in building permit and inspection fees effective September 1, 2020 and a refund of $1 Million to Building Inspection Division customers who paid fees between October 1, 2019 -  August 31, 2020.   

LAKELAND, FL (May 29, 2020) | Site work continues on Summit Consulting’s new eight-story 135,000 square foot building located at 117 N. Massachusetts Avenue in downtown Lakeland. Summit purchased this 1.2-acre Lake Mirror property from the City of Lakeland in early March after completing an extended due diligence period.

LAKELAND, FL (April 23, 2020) | Site work has begun on Summit Consulting’s new eight-story, 135,000 square foot office building located at 117 N. Massachusetts Avenue in downtown Lakeland. Summit purchased this 1.2-acre Lake Mirror property from the City of Lakeland on March 3^rd of this year after completing an extended due diligence period.  

LAKELAND, FL (January 17, 2020) | The Heritage Parking Garage is now planning to be open in the first week of February. The garage located at 227 South Kentucky Avenue was originally slated to open the third week of January but the project has experienced typical construction delays that impacted the opening date. The contractor now estimates the garage will open during the first week of February as workers complete the final interior finishes of the project. Once completed, there will be 49 regular spaces and 10 ADA accessible spaces on the first floor of the garage available to the general public during normal business hours as pay to park spaces. These spaces are free after business hours and on weekends.