A couple of weeks ago, we asked you if downtown Lakeland should join other cities around the world + consider creating pedestrian-only “open-air cafe” areas, giving restaurants access to set up tables outside in public spaces and on streets. Needless to say, with 130+ of you sharing your feedback on our Instagram + Facebook posts, Lakelanders are feeling pretty passionate and opinionated about this idea.
So much so, that the Lakeland Economic Development Council (LEDC) + The Lunz Group partnered to create renderings to help Lakelanders visualize what temporary and/or permanent outdoor seating might look like on Kentucky Ave. and Main St.
According to the LEDC, the concept could also expand to other areas downtown such as Tennessee Ave., there could be more use of the new parking garage downtown for parking, and alternate alleyways + entrances could be used for food pick-up + delivery services.
Though the LEDC + The Lunz group aren’t making any specific recommendations, they created these renderings to give Lakelanders a visualization of what could be a long-term solution to making downtown more walkable + to make restaurants and other small businesses safer and sustainable.
Renderings
Peep more sweet renderings here. 👀