Public Notice: Publix Supermarkets Expands Downtown Lakeland Footprint With Planned Technology Campus - Road Closure Impacts
Lakeland, FL (April 16, 2025) | Publix Supermarkets is moving forward with a significant expansion in downtown Lakeland as it prepares to launch a state-of-the-art technology campus. The development includes renovations to two key buildings: the former FedEx facility located at 333 East Lemon Street and the existing Publix operations center at 321 South Kentucky Avenue.
The two buildings, currently undergoing simultaneous renovations, offer more than 260,000 square feet of office space. Upon completion, the tech campus is expected to accommodate approximately 1,400 employees, with room for potential growth.
As construction progresses, a series of temporary road and sidewalk closures will take place over the coming months to support staging and external renovation work. These closures are necessary to ensure the safety of workers and the public while facilitating timely completion of the project.
Scheduled Closures Include:
- Beginning April 28, 2025:
Orange Street will close between South Kentucky Avenue and South Massachusetts Avenue for approximately eight weeks. This includes a full closure of the roadway and both adjacent sidewalks.
During the same period, Kentucky Avenue between Orange Street and Lime Street will also be closed to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Access to the CPS Building parking lot will be maintained. - Beginning May 19, 2025:
The northbound lane of South Kentucky Avenue and the adjacent sidewalk will be closed for approximately eight weeks. - Beginning June 16, 2025:
The southbound travel lane and sidewalk on Massachusetts Avenue, between Orange and Lemon Streets, will be closed for about six weeks. To help reduce traffic impact, the center turning lane will be temporarily converted for southbound use. - Beginning around July 11, 2025:
Following the reopening of Orange Street, Lime Street will close between South Tennessee Avenue and South Kentucky Avenue. This closure will remain in place until August 15, 2025.
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 fast approaching 130,000 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 in 1889.
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.