Hello Tuesday.
April 23 2024
Would a shipping container alley work in Lakeland? Let us explain.
We caught wind of a shipping container plaza coming to Delray Beach which will boast restaurants, shopping, a dog park, and even an event space, all contained in 15-30 reclaimed shipping containers.
This concept popped up not too far from Lakeland, in Tampa’s Channelside district as Sparkman Wharf, and in the other direction at Lake Nona’s Boxi Park.
This begs the question — If shipping container districts found success in cities sandwiching Swan City, would one work in Lakeland, or at least Polk County?
In the instance of Sparkman Wharf, the shipping container district compliments other local food halls, such as Armature Works, and the Hall on Franklin, providing a change in aesthetic to the area, the promotion of local eateries and vendors, as well as launching a revitalization to a once-dwindling district.
#FunFact: The Joinery toyed with this concept already, as shipping containers were used inside the building for their vendors, so it's technically already working, right?
Would you like to see something like this come to Lakeland + if so, where? Email us or vote in our poll below.
Where would you like to see some version of a shipping container district?
Box up your answers and ship them our way.
- A small-scale version in Munn Park
- Along one of our lakes needing development
- Somewhere in Polk...Just not Lakeland
- This won't work here
Show
- Mama Mia! | Fri., July 16 | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre | $17+ | Lakeland Community Theatre presents the Abba-inspired musical “Mama Mia!”
- Once on this Island | Fri., July 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Theatre Winter Haven, 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd. | $28 | Come out to this 20 time Tony award-winning musical about young love + overcoming the odds. 🍹
- Stadium Concert: Surfing Safari | Fri., July 16 | 8 p.m. | Chain O’ Lakes Stadium, 588 Cletus Allen Dr. | $18+ | Bring your lawn chair, cooler, and enjoy a fun-filled concert with music by premiere tribute project Johnny Wild & The Delights.
TryThis
- Winter Haven Happy Hour Tour | Fri., July 16 | 4:30-7 p.m. | Winter Haven Parking Garage, 220 Ave. A. NW | $69.55 | Tour downtown Winter Haven to visit family-owned restaurants and bars in the downtown area that host Happy Hour on weekdays. 🥂
Saturday
- Lakeland Farmers Curb Market | Sat., July 17 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | 200 N. Kentucky Ave. | Free | Shop from up to 100 local vendors selling arts, crafts, food + fresh produce. 🥬
- Donk Day Car Show | Sat., July 17 | 12 p.m. | Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, Dover | $20 | Come out to this afternoon car show + celebrate these custom automobiles.
- Jamie Floyd Live | Sat., July 17 | 9 p.m. | Federal Bar Lakeland | Free | Come out to a night of music by Jamie Floyd, with a full food + drink menu available. 🎶
Sunday
- Crystals and Stones Class | Sun., July 18 | 2-3 p.m. | Crystal Gaze, 213 Frank Lloyd Wright Way | Free | Join this free class for a 30-60-minute introduction to crystals and stones, followed by a free “Awakening Empaths” meetup at 3 p.m.
- Strawberry Classic Car Show Cruise-In | Sun., July 18 | 3-6:30 p.m. | Union Station Depot, Plant City | Free | Come out to this family-friendly, classic car show + competition: spectators welcome. 🍓
- Stadium Concert: The Music of The Police and Sting | Sun., July 18 | 7 p.m. | Chain O’ Lakes Stadium, 588 Cletus Allen Dr. | $18+ | Bring your lawn chair, cooler, and enjoy a fun-filled concert to the music of The Police and Sting.
Weather
- 91º | PARTLY CLOUDY | 20% chance of rain
Number
- 21. That's how many Polk County schools will receive federal funding from the state. Most, if not all, are "turnaround schools" or, schools that have received an F or two consecutive D's. Polk's schools were on a list of 149 others across the state needing financial assistance. (The Ledger)
Civic
- In a Polk County commission meeting Tuesday, Sheriff Grady Judd stated the need for $7,800,000 for PCSO due to the growth county-wide, expressing the desire for an additional 39 open positions. Read more on the budget here. (The Ledger)
Development
- Winter Haven is in early talks with the FDOT to implement a roundabout at the heavily trafficked Overlook Dr. + Cypress Gardens Blvd. Residents + city officials alike have voiced concerns about traffic + safety in the area, although it will likely be years before any changes come to the intersection. (The Ledger)
Announced
- The Classic Albums Live series returns to Lakeland for its fifteenth consecutive year, with 6 rock albums for the RP Funding Center's 2021-2022 concert series. The CAL series boasts tributes to top musicians, playing classic rock albums note-for-note. The first concert kicks off on Sept. 17. 🎸 (The Ledger)
Edu
- Lakeland is getting a brand new Montessori school, Mi Escuela Montessori, this fall. The spot will be home to 210 pre-k to grade 8 students and will offer a dual-language approach — the first of its kind in Polk County. The first day will take place on Aug. 10. (LkldNow)
Dish
- Guillermo and Patricia Gama of Plant City’s El Mirasol Tortilla Factory were inducted into the Tortilla Industry Association’s Hall of Fame. The factory was founded by Guillermo back in 1989 in partnership with his wife, Patricia + is now operated by their family’s third generation. 🎉
- DYK July is National Blueberry Month? This means that it’s peak season for fresh, organic blueberries — and they’re currently on sale at GreenWise Market. 🫐 Ⓟ
Arts
- Venue Salon is featuring Lakeland multimedia artist Katarina Tifft for a limited time. Katarina's artwork is inspired by her world travels + the natural world, crafting handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces from a multitude of mediums, including seashells. 🐚
- Polk Museum of Art announced a new exhibit kicking off later this month on July 31-Oct. 24 called “American Impressionism: Treasures From The Daywood Collection.” The exhibit will explore the rise and history of impressionism in the states, as well as 41 rare pieces by Arthur Dayton and Ruth Woods Dayton.
FeelGood
- Sisters,Yesenia + Francelly Garcia recently opened Sweet Cup Cafe, after a year of delays due to COVID-19. Boosted by the support of Lakeland Food Facebook Group, the duo has seen a steady flow of regular customers since opening in March of this year. ☕️ (LkldNow)
#Florida
- Gatorland launched a new adopt-a-gator conservation initiative. Interested individuals can post on Gatorland’s social media to have their names entered into a drawing. For a $500 contribution, adopters will have the opportunity to name the animal, and will also receive free passes to come visit. 🐊 (Click Orlando)
Job
- Benefits of working at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union include competitive compensation and benefits, vacation and paid holidays, opportunities for career advancement within the company + more. See openings and apply. Ⓟ
Learn
- One Day University brings the nation’s greatest professors to you — live and on-demand. Learn something new about history, politics, music, art, and more with daily live streams from top instructors. Try 2 weeks free, then just $8.95/month or $89/year. Ⓟ
If you’ve ventured into Black & Brew or tried to dine at Nineteen61 lately, you probably had a bit of trouble getting to the front door. Don’t worry though — the construction is temporary and is part of the streetscape expansion project.
ICYMI: Construction will be completed over 2 phases — Phase 1 (which just kicked off) will begin at Main St. and Tennessee Ave. and will span half of the block, up to Linkster’s Taproom. And, Phase 2, which will start immediately after the completion of Phase 1, will encompass the rest of Main St.
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Do you have other ideas for Lakeland that haven’t been developed yet? We’ve mentioned man-made lagoons, the SunRail, Munn Park’s revitalization, and now a shipping container district.
Have your own “what ifs?" Send them to us.
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