Public Invited To 2nd Downtown West Action Plan Meeting - City News Blog
LAKELAND, FL (June 27, 2023) | GAI Community Solutions Group working with the City of Lakeland is hosting a public meeting on the Downtown West Action Plan Tuesday, July 11, 2023. The meeting will take place at the RP Funding Center in the Lake Hollingsworth Room from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. All members of the public are encouraged to attend and provide feedback on the five-year strategic vision sponsored by the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
The action plan for Downtown West focuses on improving housing, infrastructure, and economic development. The study area is generally west of Florida Avenue, south of Memorial Boulevard, north of Lime Street and east of Lake Beulah Drive. Neighborhoods included are North Lake Wire, Crescent Heights, Lake Bonnet Shores, Westgate Central and Downtown West.
"The Lakeland CRA is committed to revitalizing and improving the overall quality of life in our three districts,” said Valerie Ferrell, CRA Manager. “The Downtown West Action Plan serves as a blueprint for turning the community's vision into tangible outcomes, guaranteeing that gradual measures are being implemented towards achieving long-term transformation."
City leaders are hopeful the plan developed by GAI will lead to partnerships with developers to build new homes, apartments, and businesses. Infrastructure is also top of mind, with a goal of connecting the area to downtown with improved transit, sidewalks, and bike paths.
“The revitalization and redevelopment of Downtown West, totaling 1,140 acres in portions of each of the City’s CRAs, has been identified as a key strategic priority of the City Commission,” said Brian Rewis, Director of the Community and Economic Development department. “Public engagement and input in development of the Downtown West Vision is critical to GAI’s completion of the plan, and no less critical to the City’s implementation of the plan.”
Gathering input from the public regarding the Downtown West Action Plan started fall of 2022 and the community feedback process is expected to end this summer.
For more information, visit https://www.lakelandcra.net/cra-feature-downtownwest
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 115 years ago.
For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please visit www.lakelandgov.net. Citizens are also invited to follow the City on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo, Snapchat and Nextdoor. Citizens can find the City of Lakeland on these social media platforms by searching lakelandgov.
For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please explore LakelandGov.net.
Citizens are also invited to follow the City on social media.