Downtown Archives

City Commission Denies Permit for Bar in a Former Church Building

The 5-2 vote came after numerous residents spoke against the proposed bar and event space on religious grounds.

City regulations prohibit a bar less than 300 feet from a church downtown, unless the City Commission grants a variance.

Conceptual renderings show a large central grassy lawn surrounded by areas for recreational activities and a shaded events stage

The move will improve traffic flow and focus driver attention more on pedestrians, city officials say.

The plan to transform the now-vacant downtown space into an event venue and bar would need approval from the City Commission.

The focal point has been a blank canvas since removal of the controversial Confederate statue in 2019.

The developers plan 200 apartments and townhomes surrounding a 420-space, three-level parking structure.

The Polk County Wedding and Event Pros float, which which hosted a live wedding ceremony, won the Judges Choice Award.

An estimated 50,000 people came to watch the downtown parade, which included roughly 100 floats and marching bands.

Thousands will converge on downtown Lakeland Thursday evening for the spectacle of the annual Christmas parade and fireworks.