A recent City Commission decision to keep two controversial changes to Lakeland’s city charter off this fall’s election ballot could discourage citizens from participating on city boards, two commissioners said today. More
A Talbot House Ministries affordable-housing program will get a big donation from the city: a dilapidated apartment building appraised at $160,000 and $50,000 toward repairs, the City Commission decided Monday. More
With the upgrades Lakeland Linder International Airport will make to accommodate Amazon’s planned jet cargo center, the instrument landing system will be among the best 30 to 35 in the country, Gene Conrad, airport director, said. More
As city commissioners begin considering allowing more students at a charter school on New Jersey Road, Commissioner Bill Read said constituents are starting to raise concerns about traffic levels on the road after another private school got permission to start classes nearby. More
City commissioners face a decision today on two different approaches in providing affordable housing: nominal rents and social services for low-wage workers through Talbot House or vouchers for veterans. More
It looks like nearly $4.7 million of the city of Lakeland’s costs for airport improvements needed for the planned Amazon cargo facility will be covered by a state jobs-creation grant. The grant was initially awarded for a large maintenance hangar, but the state is allowing the city to redirect it to Amazon-related upgrades. | Documentation
Drivers on Sikes Boulevard may soon notice construction work in the wetlands area south of the RP Funding Center.
The wetlands are slated to be cleared of invasive vegetation and three ponds built as part of a stormwater filtration system; it’s being created to reduce harmful nutrients, trash and sediments flowing into Lake Hunter, said Laurie Smith, manager of the city’s lakes and stormwater division. More
A 50-year lease agreement for Amazon Services Inc.‘s planned jet cargo operation at Lakeland Linder International Airport won the City Commission’s unanimous approval Monday afternoon, but not before commissioners fielded skeptical questions and asked a few of their own. More
Lakeland Linder Airport’s director is talking with American Airlines about starting commercial service between here and Charlotte, N.C., as early as next year, The Ledger reports. Linder’s Gene Conrad says discussions have centered on the possibility of two to three flights a day on aircraft carrying 70 to 90 passengers as American expands its Charlotte hub.
After nearly a year leading the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency as its interim manager, Alis Drumgo got the “interim” removed. His promotion to manager of the anti-blight agency was announced in an after-hours post on Facebook today. More
