Hello Thursday.
April 25 2024
A new retail and housing development coming to the old site of Florida Tile has been approved by the board of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority.
The 22-acre site, which sits west of Lake Wire, adjacent to Bonnet Springs Park (between Sikes Boulevard + George Jenkins Boulevard), will be home to 630 apartments and numerous retail shops and restaurants.
If all permits are obtained and objectives go as planned, the project will begin next spring and will be completed in two phases broken down into subphases.
- Phase 1A — Two 7,500-sqft buildings facing Kathleen Road will go up for restaurants and retail shops. Ideally, the buildings will provide options that attract the greater Lakeland community, not just those living in the area. Jon Bucklew, founder of The Joinery and its upcoming expansion, The Shed, is being consulted to gauge public interest for various dining options.
- Phase 1B — Four-story buildings housing 300 apartments measuring roughly 915-sqft each will be built on 10.33 acres of land near George Jenkins Boulevard.
- Phase 2 — Two more buildings, four and five stories, will house 330 apartments above a 15,000-sqft stretch of retail space on Sikes Boulevard.
The project’s next steps include submitting site plans for Phase 1 to state and regional agencies for approval.
Check out LkldNow's Instagram for renderings of the development coming to "downtown west."
Use the buttons below to share this news with your fellow Lakelanders who like to be in the know about all things business, development, and growth.
Today
- Top Dog at Swan Brewing | Mon., Nov. 22 | 12-7 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Come out to try one of Top Dog’s quarter-pound hot dogs, angus burgers, or pulled pork + drink from Swan Brewing’s tap list. 🌭
- Trivia Night | Mon., Nov. 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Cob & Pen | Free | Bring your friends to trivia night + enjoy happy hour prices all day. 💭
Tuesday
- Molly’s Musician’s Showcase | Tues., Nov. 23 | 9 p.m.-1 a.m. | Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub | Free | Enjoy a night of live music and drinks — all musicians are welcome to give a live performance. 🎸
Wednesday
- Kids Cooking Class | Wed., Nov. 24 | 5-6:30 p.m. | What’s Cooking Lakeland | $50+ | Save the shopping, cooking + cleaning with this kid’s cooking class (ages 5-13) that results in a take-home dinner for four. 🍴
Thursday
- Thanksgiving Brunch | Thurs., Nov. 25 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | The Club at Eaglebrooke | $39.95+ | Enjoy this Thanksgiving brunch featuring classic brunch and Thanksgiving favorites, including green bean casserole and eggs benedict — call (863)-701-0101 to make a reservation.
Friday
- The Black Tie Party 21’ | Fri., Nov. 26 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | RP Funding Center | $25+ | Come out for a night of great clothes, music, and drinks organized by Fourlife Promotions — the black tie dress code will be enforced. 👔
Saturday
- Wonderland of Lights and Santa’s Village | Sat., Nov. 27 | 6-9 p.m. | The International Market World, 1052 US-92 | $25 | Come out after Thanksgiving dinner for the first night of Wonderland of Lights to see holiday light displays and vendors through Jan. 2. 🎄
Sunday
- Holidays at Legoland | Sun. Nov. 28 | 2:30-7:30 p.m. | LEGOLAND Florida Resort | $85+ | Visit LEGOLAND for a holiday experience for the whole family for seasonal shows, holiday characters, and twinkling lights. 🎄
Monday
- Couples Cooking: Fun Party Bites | Mon., Nov. 29 | 6 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School | $100 | Learn to make appetizers including samosas, sundried tomato tapenade, and crispy pancetta cups with your partner — one ticket needed per couple.
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 76º | Scattered showers | 50% chance of rain
Number
- $3.2 billion. That’s how much the local real estate company SVN Saunders Ralston Dantzler has made in transactions in its 25 years in business. Originally founded by Dean Saunders as Saunders Real Estate, LLC, the firm grew to include partners Gary Ralston and R. Todd Dantzler. 💰 (The Ledger)
Feel Good
- Affordable housing projects may be making their way to Polk County more frequently in the future for residents like Sonja Groover, who has been a homeowner since 2018, thanks to Habitat for Humanity. Sonja’s home was built in Auburndale after city officials saw an opportunity for affordable housing. (The Ledger)
Biz
- Born and Bread Bakehouse’s Thanksgiving is officially underway as they close up to begin prepping for holiday preorders. Once placed, preorders can only be picked up on Wed., Nov. 24 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Haven’t ordered yet? You can do that through the link here. 🥧
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Everyone check your license expiration dates. The Tax Collector of Polk County will be closed on Thurs., Nov. 25 and Fri., Nov. 26 in observance of Thanksgiving Day + Black Friday. The office will resume normal operations on Mon., Nov. 29.
Holiday
- Buena Market announced its holiday market schedule. Come out to the Buena Navidad Market on Sun., Dec. 12 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Joinery. Can’t make it that day? There are two more markets scheduled in December to help you shop local this holiday season.
Active
- Registration is now open for Lakeland Regional Health’s eighth annual Promise Run. The run, which takes place on March 5, 2022, raises funds for the Hollis Cancer Center. Participants can choose from a 5k or 10k, plus a free children’s race after the 5k finishes. 👟
Listen
- Local Americana artist Van Plating released a new album on Friday called “The Way Down.” The album took a year to create, and you can give it a listen here. 🎵
Cause
- This year, Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE) reported an unusually low volunteer turnout, with roughly 225 people signed up as opposed to last year’s 400, for their annual Thanksgiving dinner delivery to roughly 2,000 Polk County senior citizens. You can bridge the gap by signing up. (WFLA)
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Combee Connection Ministries is looking for volunteers to prepare Thanksgiving sides + desserts for their fifth annual Thanksgiving Day Lunch. The event, which takes place on Thurs. Nov. 25 at 11:30 p.m. at 1140 N. Combee Rd., serves the Combee Settlement community. 🦃
Arts
- Harrison School for the Arts is hosting its annual Winter Dance Concert on Dec. 3 and Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. This year’s show features three variations of the ballet Don Quixote, contemporary dance, and classical ballet. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets, which start at $9 for seniors, can only be purchased online. 🩰
Eat
- It’s pizza party time. Oggi plant-based pizzas are buy 1, get 1 free at Publix GreenWise Market through Wednesday. Serve with side salad for the perfect quick, holiday weeknight dinner. 🍕*
Show
- Mark your calendars, because standup comedian Bill Burr is coming to the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre next spring. Grab your tickets (plus an extra pre-sale code) for his Fri., May 20 show here. 🎶*
Feast your eyes on the community dinner that Gospel Inc. provided for its residents last Friday. Local Robyn Wilson prepared everything from grilled chicken to tabbouleh for community members to enjoy.
Do you have an irresistible recipe you'd like others to enjoy? Contact the folks at Gospel Inc. to find out how you can share it with the residents.
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Editors pick: We asked what makes you thankful to live here. A few of you said:
- “Friends and family who live here” — Reader Gabriella O.
- “I am so thankful that I grew up here in the 60s when it was a small city and was a safe place to grow up in...” — Reader Barbara G.
- “The tremendous economic development, diversity in business and industry growth…” — Reader Tom L.
Tell us what you’re thankful for in the 863 here.
Missed Friday's newsletter? We had a ball talking margaritas + philanthropy.
LALtoday Team
Editorial: Katelyn, Rilee, Kaylee
Sales: Kailey
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