Second Hotel Planned for RP Funding Center

Aug 21, 2017 at 10:13 am

City efforts to bring more convention business to the RP Funding Center got a boost today when the Lakeland City Commission approved the sale of property across Lime Street to a local company that plans to build a suite hotel.

Business/ Downtown

Contemporary Office Building Planned Near Lake Mirror

Aug 18, 2017 at 1:08 pm

Lakeland investor Wesley Beck is planning a modern, three-story office building with a glass facade and balconies overlooking Lake Mirror on vacant land between the Amtrak station and Lakeland Brewing Co.

Activism/ Downtown

Strings in Needs Wants to Renovate Polly Prim’s Building

Aug 13, 2017 at 8:41 am Bay News 9

A non-profit that makes instruments and music lessons affordable (link) aims to raise $120k to renovate a vacant dry-cleaning facility downtown into teaching studios.

A & E/ Downtown

Prospective Downtown Lounge Owner Wants to Revive Classic Cocktails

Aug 4, 2017 at 12:50 pm

Jeannie Weaver wants to bring a new concept to downtown Lakeland: a sophisticated craft cocktail lounge that doubles in the daytime as a spot to grab a coffee drink, a sandwich to go or a ready-made picnic basket.

Map: Intermodal facility and overpass locations

Downtown/ Transportation

New Proposal: Build Rail Overpass Near Amtrak Station, Not Munn Park

Jul 21, 2017 at 5:32 pm

Since plans for a pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks near Munn Park got little support when unveiled earlier this year, a new idea has emerged for the $7 million that had been budgeted for it:

Build a walkway from the side of the tracks where the Amtrak station overlooks Lake Mirror and the Catapult 2.0 business incubator is being built to the side of the tracks where a lot of new growth is expected.

Business/ Downtown

Ice Plant Conversion to a Bank Is Nearly Complete

Jul 6, 2017 at 10:36 pm

The former Purity Ice building at Florida Avenue and Olive Street is nearly ready for its Monday opening as the newest branch of Tampa Bay-based USAmeriBank.

Downtown/ Scenes

City of Lights

Jun 22, 2017 at 2:39 pm Instagram: Patelrut

Different perspective from 400 feet up.🚁🛩 #aerialcinematography #aerialphotography #lakeland #nightphotography #inspire1pro #dronesforgood #drones #drone #dronestagram #twilight #dronehero

A post shared by Rut (@patelrut) on Jun 22, 2017 at 10:47am PDT

Downtown/ Scenes

Scenes: Stormy Weather

Jun 16, 2017 at 9:23 am Instagram: Paul Bostrom

Dorothyyy!!!!

A post shared by Paul Bostrom (@paulbostrom) on Jun 15, 2017 at 1:29pm PDT

A & E/ Downtown

Jazz Lounge Opens After Three-Year Wait

Jun 7, 2017 at 8:17 pm

Three years in preparation, Lakeland Loft has opened, bringing an urbane mix of jazz, spirits and cigars to a second-floor downtown space marked by plush leather seating, mahogany panels and crystal chandeliers.

Downtown/ Neighborhoods

Downtown Pioneer Uncovers Signs of the Past

Jun 6, 2017 at 4:07 pm

An urban pioneer uncovered a big surprise when she started converting a commercial building on Munn Park into her residence: The white plaster in her spacious living room had been hiding a well-preserved Coca-Cola sign that was painted on a brick wall more than 100 years ago. There was a Bull Durham tobacco sign, too.