City News Blog: City of Lakeland Conducting Architectural Survey Dixieland & Munn Park Historic District

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LAKELAND, FL (February 10, 2025) | Ardurra Group Inc., on behalf of the City of Lakeland, will conduct an architectural survey of the Dixieland and Munn Park Historic Districts from February 10–19, 2025. During this period, Ardurra employees wearing high-visibility vests will document historic resources from the public right-of-way. The East and South Lake Morton Historic Districts were resurveyed in 2022 during Phase One of the project.

Ardurra is a Cultural Resource Management firm with offices nationwide. Their team of architectural historians and field technicians will survey structures, buildings, and landscapes that are at least 50 years old. This process includes photographing and filming properties from public spaces. A team of 2–4 credentialed surveyors in neon vests will evaluate all pre-1975 structures, assessing architectural features, materials, and modifications—without entering private property.

 Purpose of the Survey

Architectural surveys are essential for historic preservation planning. This survey aims to identify historically significant structures that contribute to the districts' character. To qualify as a contributing structure, a building must be at least 50 years old and retain architectural integrity from its original era.

Once completed, the consulting firm will submit Florida Master Site File forms for qualifying properties to the Florida Division of Historical Resources. These updates will refine the National Register of Historic Places listing and the City’s local historic district designation, officially recognizing new contributing buildings.

For more details, visit the City of Lakeland’s historic preservation webpage: lakelandgov.net/survey.

The Munn Park Historic District was recognized as Lakeland’s first historic district in 1980 and received National Register designation in 1997. This district represents Lakeland’s commercial downtown and includes the City’s most iconic buildings dating from the early twentieth century. Named for the city park at its center, the district extends to Lake Mirror and includes the City Beautiful-inspired Frances Langford Promenade.

Dixieland was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. It is one of the City’s most traditional neighborhoods, with a grid pattern of streets and alleys, a mature tree canopy, and historic lights – all of which add to the historic atmosphere. It is bounded by South Florida Avenue to the east, Lake Hunter to the west, Dobbins Park to the south and downtown to the north.

 

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