Lakeland is looking to bring new people downtown to live and work.

  • City seeks to develop land next to police station
  • City envisions apartments and townhomes in the space
  • Apartment vacancy in Polk County currently very low

The city currently owns 10 acres of land next to its police station. The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency will send out a Request for Qualifications at the end of June, inviting developers to present plans for building on the vacant property.
 
“We will be looking for any developer, one or multiple developers, that may be interested in doing a block or so of residential apartments and townhouses,” said Nicole Travis, manager of the Community Redevelopment Agency.

The land, acquired by the city in 2006, is within walking distance to downtown. City officials hope the new apartments and townhomes attract young couples, students and active seniors to the community.

“We’re hoping to take advantage of the market right now, and the strength of the market," said Travis.


A rendering of what Lakeland city officials envision for the currently vacant 10 acres of city-owned property next to the police station. (City of Lakeland)

According to a recent study by consultant Kimley Horn & Associates, apartment  vacancy in Polk County is currently very low, reaching 3.1% in late 2015. The study found that there’s a demand for 300 to 500 units on the redevelopment site within the next five years.

Pastor Lillie Jones’ church is nearby. She said the new development may help fill her pews.

“I think it’s going to help out a lot. It’s going to bring new changes, new people, " said Pastor Jones, of New Vision and Dreams Ministry.

People living nearby said the area was thriving once, but then went downhill.

“To grow and expand our downtown, we have to have something happen here on the 10 acres,” Travis said.

But Lorena Ramirez, who lives directly across the street, fears her landlord may sell her apartment to the developer.

“I'm just concerned that we’re going to be left without enough notice to vacate the premises, or look for another place to live, or that these hold historic buildings might go away too, ” said Ramirez.

The Community Redevelopment Agency projects it will probably be a year and a half before the land is sold and the new developer starts construction.