The IKEA logistics operation will fill nearly two-thirds of a 520,000-square-foot warehouse under construction off New Tampa Highway near County Line Road. DHL Supply Chain has closed on the $42.5 million warehouse. Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal
Author Archives: Barry Friedman
Barry Friedman founded Lkldnow.com in 2015 as the culmination of a career in print and digital journalism. Since 1982, he has used the tools of reporting, editing and content curation to help people in Lakeland understand their community better.
Posted inArts & Culture
Live Music in Lakeland This Week
EDM, funeral folk and a one-man reggae band — oh my! Here are a few interesting music dates this weekend: Get chill and chilly at the all-weekend, dance-music-filled Virtue Music Festival at the Maddox Ranch. Utah-based Shua Taylor, who describes his music as funeral folk/blues, plays Concord Coffee Friday at 7. St. Pete’s Ryan Carney […]
Posted inPolitics
Carlson Asks FBI to Investigate Spano Loans
The Democratic candidate for the local seat in Congress contends her Republican opponent’s six-month delay in filing a financial disclosure form was aimed at obscuring the source of funds behind a sizable loan he made to his campaign. She’s asking the FBI to investigate. Source: Tampa Bay Times
Posted inNeighborhoods
Tiny-House Development for Seniors, Veterans Opens
A tiny-house community of affordable homes for seniors and veterans opened just north of Lakeland Square mall Wednesday. It’s the Lakeland Housing Authority’s first new housing development in 18 years | Here’s a cool aerial view. Source: Bay News 9
Posted inTransportation
Lakeland Still ‘Under Consideration’ for Rail Stop
Plans for Brightline rail service between Orlando and Tampa were revealed Wednesday, and organizers say they’re considering a future stop in Lakeland, where the trains are expected to run in the I-4 median. A recent poll of Tampa Bay Business Journal readers showed enthusiasm for a Lakeland stop, Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal
Posted inNews Roundup
Read It in the Morning Paper
DOWNTOWN GARAGE: A proposed parking garage at Heritage Plaza downtown (aerial view) aims to jumpstart economic development by increasing the pool of employee parking. The public-private project is estimated to cost up to $12 million, and city commissioners on Monday discuss whether they’ll fund up to $6 million of it. (The meeting agenda does not […]
Posted inFood & Dining
Review: Ovation Serves Standards in ‘Splendidness of Simplicity’
Ledger restaurant critic Eric Pera gives the new Ovation Bistro & Bar on South Florida Avenue 3 1/2 stars for food and service and four stars for ambience. He concludes that the third restaurant opened by two Polk-based brothers “is grounded in the splendidness of simplicity” | Restaurant website Source: The Ledger
Posted inNeighborhoods
Map Details Florida Southern College Holdings
If you read The Ledger’s Sunday article about Florida Southern College’s off-campus property holdings and wondered where they’re located, there’s a map for that. Assembled by Lake Morton Historic District resident Michael Maguire, the map details the college’s properties by type, purchase value, latest assessment, tax exemptions and more. Source: Google Maps: Michael Maguire
Posted inPolitics
Democrats Look to 2020 Congressional Race
Despite Kristen Carlson’s 6-point loss to Republican Ross Spano in this month’s face for U.S. House District 15, Democrats remain hopeful about their chances to win the district in 2020, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Potential candidates include Carlson, Andrew Learned of Valrico and Bob Doyel of Winter Haven. Source: Tampa Bay Times
Posted inPeople
Retiring U.S. Rep. Ross Reflects on His Future
Weeks before leaving Washington, where he’s represented Lakeland in Congress for the last eight years, Dennis Ross discusses his role at Southeastern University and whether he will run for office again. At SEU, he is heading a “conservative think-tank and leadership program” that he says will emphasize compromise. As for politics, he’s not closing options. […]