Elements of Urbanism: Lakeland

[vicupstate]

The Tax Credits being referred to may have been Federal Income tax credits, which would not have cost the City of Lakeland anything.  Historic buildings are eligible in any state. Vacant lots aren't eligible for those, btw.


Alternatively, or in addition, Lakeland might have given property tax exemption on the IMPROVEMENTS.  That has been done by Atlanta and other cities.  Again, that would not cost the City of Lakeland anything either.  

[coredumped]

Lakeland? When I lived in Central Fla. we said POLK stood for PEOPLE OF LITTLE KNOWLEDGE. I tip my hat to them now, very impressive! Their downtown looks like it's doing quite well.

[heights unknown]

Jacksonville could probably learn a thing or two or tear a page out of Lakeland's success book. 10 years ago dead, at the present alive!!

"HU"

[uptowngirl]

WOW! I love it. How great would it be to jump on the bike and pedal down to my choice of cafe's and shops. Hat's off to Lakeland!

[CS Foltz]

The Tax Credits being referred to may have been Federal Income tax credits, which would not have cost the City of Lakeland anything.  Historic buildings are eligible in any state. Vacant lots aren't eligible for those, btw.


Alternatively, or in addition, Lakeland might have given property tax exemption on the IMPROVEMENTS.  That has been done by Atlanta and other cities.  Again, that would not cost the City of Lakeland anything either.  

Big guy.............I would have to ask......why has not the City of Jacksonville made use of these enticements? I know.....I know! Just one more example of the disconnect between the City and the public!

[tufsu1]

well let's see CS...COJ gave tax credits to Vestcor for reuse of 11E and Carling....and I'm pretty sure you were opposed to that!

[floridatrop]

I was the Executive Director of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority and Community Redevelopment Agency from 1987 to 2000.  I was also a consultant in the early to mid '80s, creating the historic districts.  I will be happy to answer questions about the program and what we accomplished.

[floridatrop]

First there was a core group of individuals (volunteers) who worked with the City to create the historic districts and promote the historic resources we have.  The regulations adopted included a design review process.  This occurred before there were development pressures.  Once adopted, the districts provided the Federal investment tax credit which incentivized investors to purchase and restore these historic properties.  Once a property or two was restored, the value of historic preservation became apparent to the larger community and to downtowners as well.

[perimeter295]

Let credit be given where credit is due.  Downtown Lakeland has come a long way and has done some great things.

However, let criticism be given where it's due as well.  Just to the north of Lake Mirror, and just to the east of Massachusetts Ave existed a gridded neighborhood with 1920s-1940s-era housing stock.  In a very 1960's-era-esque plan of "urban renewal" the city and FDOT bulldozed blocks of housing and then proceeded to destroy the grid system of neighborhoods with the Lakeland "In-Town Bypass."   The entire section of this road to the north of downtown destroyed grid connectivity along its path.  The limited access road also prevents any dense in-fill development along the route, essentially isolating the divided communities on each side of it.  This is a page straight out of the 1960s.  The destruction of housing stock next to downtown reminds me a lot of what happened in Lavilla.

To make matters worse, this is a road that did not even need to exist as north-south traffic bypassed downtown along Kathleen Rd/Sikes Blvd/Harden Blvd and east-west traffic could use either US 92 or the Polk Parkway. 

So kudos to Lakeland for the core, but I don't know why they did not apply the same principles to the "midtown" area just to the north.

[cityimrov]

Does anyone here have this feeling 50 years from now, unless something big changes, Lakeland will be more powerful and influential than Jacksonville?