draft of planned urban plaza on Memorial Blvd
Revitalization of Memorial Boulevard could include new landmarks like the urban plaza above. | Ayres Associates, City of Lakeland
4-minute read

Inspiration pictures for the revitalization of Memorial Boulevard include landscaped plazas, new office buildings, hip-looking restaurants and alleys with string lights.

The vision, adopted by the City Commission on Monday, did not include a new, larger homeless shelter for Talbot House Ministries being proposed at a key intersection between the “downtown gateway” and “lakefront parkway.” 

But the two efforts might not be as far apart as they seem.

“The revitalization of Memorial Boulevard cannot be successful without first addressing the underlying issues that hinder the corridor’s success,” a report by consulting firm Ayres Associates said.

Ayres’ recommendations included expanded social services, a neighborhood health clinic, a multipurpose center and employment programs to lift up people who already live and spend time on Memorial Boulevard.

Several of those would be included in the 58,000-square-foot facility that Talbot House Ministries wants city approval to build on donated land opposite Lakes Church.

Memorial Boulevard Economic Development Strategy

  • A rendering of Memorial Boulevard and North Florida Avenue shows a fountain and new mixed-use buildings. | Ayres Associates, City of Lakeland
  • The report recommends creating pocket parks and “activated alleys” in vacant rights of way. | Ayres Associates, City of Lakeland
  • The vision for Memorial Boulevard also included a community center. | Ayres Associates, City of Lakeland
  • The Memorial Boulevard vision included expanding the Lake Parker multiuse trail from Lakeshore Drive to the new path in front of the Cypress Point community, one mile to the east. | Ayres Associates, City of Lakeland
  • The Memorial Boulevard plan recommends decorative barriers like the posts shown above to improve pedestrian safety by encouraging use of crosswalks. | Ayres Associates, City of Lakeland

Talbot House Relocation Proposal

  • A rendering shows the facade of Talbot House Ministries’ proposed new building. | Straughn Trout Architects
  • The architectural site plan. | Straughn Trout Architects
  • The staff and community entrance. | Straughn Trout Architects
  • The free Good Samaritan health clinic at Talbot House. | Straughn Trout Architects
  • The employment solutions center entrance.
  • A drive-through area for community donations. | Straughn Trout Architects
  • The residential programs and operations entrance. | Straughn Trout Architects
  • The interior dining room would look out on green space. | Straughn Trout Architects

Talbot House relocation: Residents polled by Ayres prior to Talbot House’s announcement did not want a homeless shelter on Memorial Boulevard.

“While there is a strong desire to address homelessness, the community opposed placing a homeless shelter along the corridor due to concerns about safety, public perception, and potential impacts on future investment,” the report said.

However, an anonymous donor has recently offered Talbot House Ministries 3.45 acres at 1115 E. Memorial Blvd. for a larger homeless shelter that would include a covered patio, 24-hour restrooms and a free health clinic.

Community Foundation Tampa Bay purchased the land for $2.025 million in October. It is the former site of Epic Church, which has been demolished.

Public meetings: Renderings of the proposed Talbot House facility were unveiled at a town hall meeting at The Well on Thursday evening that drew more than 50 people, including owners of several businesses near the site.

“All in all, I think it was a very positive meeting,” said Jon Kirk, principal architect with Straughn Trout. “So that was a great thing, because you never know how those things are going to go.”

The relocation plan faces several more tests. The city’s Planning and Zoning Board will have a public hearing about a zoning change needed for the project at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in the City Commission chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 228 S. Massachusetts Ave.

If the board recommends it at a subsequent meeting, it would head to the City Commission for approval.

Bridging visions: Kirk said the Memorial Boulevard Economic Development Strategy and the Talbot House designs were “completely separate scopes of work” and he had no contact with Ayres when drafting the plans. He said Talbot House Ministries’ project could help realize some of the city’s long-term goals.

“I know those guys at Ayres and they are great visionaries,” Kirk said. “They’re great at casting vision, but then the next step is how do you get the clinic? Who pays for that? … And that’s where Talbot comes in. I think they’re the bridge to that.”

‘Memorial Works’ crew and ‘Corridor Champions’: In addition to creating a health clinic and community center, the Ayres report recommended that Lakeland partner with local shelters to create a “Memorial Works” program that would offer daily wages or stipends to homeless people for cleaning commercial corridors, landscaping and helping with facade improvements.

A similar project in San Jose, Calif., led to visible community improvements. “Over 80% of participants [in the Downtown Streets Team] reported improved job readiness; 46% secured permanent employment within six months,” the report says.

Ayres suggested that a “Corridor Champions” program could reward local businesses along the corridor that hire homeless individuals and provide job mentorship. The city could offer wage subsidies and award plaques or other recognition.

Insight Polk examines community conditions and solutions in six target areas from UCIndicators.org: economic & employment opportunity, education, housing, food security, transportation & infrastructure, and quality of life.

LkldNow’s Insight Polk independent reporting is made possible by the United Community Indicators Project with funding by GiveWell Community Foundation & United Way of Central Florida. All editorial decisions are made by LkldNow.

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Cindy's reporting for LkldNow focuses on Lakeland city government. Previously, she was a crime reporter, City Hall reporter and chief political writer for newspapers including the Albuquerque Journal and South Florida Sun-Sentinel. She spent a year as a community engagement coordinator for the City of Lakeland before joining LkldNow in 2023. Reach her at cindy@lkldnow.com or 561-212-3429.

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