What is Downtown West?

What are the plan’s main goals?

1. Improve connectivity for pedestrians and bikes to reduce travel time, minimize stress, and enhance ease of use
2. Nurture neighborhood infrastructure across North Lake Wire, Westgate Central/Lake Beulah, and Crescent Heights to improve liveability
3. Increase residential density in areas of Downtown West — essentially, “planning for population where it makes sense”

How will this be done?

• Adding multi-use trails and neighborhood connectors
• Enhancing neighborhood beautification + infrastructure through sidewalks, streetlights, sewer connections, traffic calming devices, and development grant programs
• Creating new residential options, including mixed-use spaces, close to community hubs

• Knit One, Crochet Too! | Wednesday, April 17 | 5-6:55 p.m. | Larry R. Jackson Branch Library, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Bring your current knitting or crocheting project to work and chat with others.
• Sunset Yoga in the Vines | Wednesday, April 17 | 6 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | $10 | All levels are welcome at this yoga flow in the Keel Farms vineyard.
• Kava Karaoke Night | Wednesday, April 17 | 8 p.m.-3:30 a.m. | SUN KAVA, 5711 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Show your vocal chops or watch from the sidelines with craft food + kava shells.

• Spring Orchestra Concert | Thursday, April 18 | 7 p.m. | Harrison School for the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd., Lakeland | $9-$12 | Enjoy an evening of orchestral music with pieces ranging from classical compositions to modern film scores.
• Trivia Thursdays | Thursday, April 18 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Back Nine, 124 S. Tennessee Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Test your knowledge with themed and general trivia.

• Blooms in Balance: Growing Gardens on Less Water | Friday, April 19 | 12-1 p.m. | Lakeland Electric, 501 E. Lemon St., Lakeland | Free | Learn tips to save water while gardening, from which plants to grow to irrigation systems.
• Lakeland Cruisers Cruise Night | Friday, April 19 | 5-8:30 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free | View modern and classic cars at this family-friendly car show.
• Night at the Swing Club | Friday, April 19 | 7 p.m. | Polk Theatre, 121 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $15-$20 | Enjoy a night of swing and jazz music by BYU-Idaho’s big band Sound Alliance and Vocal Union ensemble.

1. Visit our new self-service advertising portal, purchase a “Newsletter Promo,” and look for an email confirmation.
2. Request a run date (and we’ll confirm it).
3. Submit your key points + best horizontal photo.

• The City Commission voted on Monday to purchase ~31 acres of land, originally set aside for residential development, from Morgan Creek Properties, LLC for Lakeland Linder International Airport. Airport officials plan to use the land for its aviation education programs, SUN ‘n FUN, and future airport expansions. (The Ledger)

• Lakeland may get a new composting plant. City commissioners voted unanimously to contract Geosyntec Consultants to run a cost-benefit analysis of the idea. If approved, the plant may be located on Combee Road next to the city’s future solid waste transfer station. (The Ledger)

• Did you know Polk County added 80 people per day last year? This made the county the fifth highest in net migration in the country, and the highest in the Tampa Bay area. Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, and Hillsborough counties also saw positive gains. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

• Lakeland City Manager Shawn Sherrouse received recognition this week as a 2024 Home Rule Hero by the Florida League of Cities. The award was based on Sherrouse’s consistency in responding to the League’s requests for local perspectives on legislative issues.

• Winter Haven’s Marshall Hampton Reserve has opened its new parking area. The original parking area was closed due to construction of the Central Florida Parkway, which will connect the Polk Parkway to US 17 by 2029. (The Ledger)

• Lakeland high school students can apply for the Lakeland Youth Council until Thursday, May 30. Members are handpicked by the mayor and City Commission to make recommendations on community issues impacting youth.

• Gloria Jones, a food service assistant at PCPS’ Alturas Elementary, will retire this year after 45 years of service to the school. Check out photos from her surprise retirement party + how the school honored her commitment to students. (The Ledger)

• Polk County students came out on top for the second year in a row in the Commissioner’s Academic Challenge. “Team Polk” finished first in the event’s largest + toughest division. Alternate Sarah McKinney from Harrison School for the Arts represented Lakeland on the team.

• Polk State’s Kids at College and Civics Leadership Academy camps are returning to its Lakeland and Winter Haven campuses this summer. The week-long programs will run in June and July, alongside other summer program offerings.

• Orlando International Airport (MCO) is home to a multitude of art installations that add creativity + color to its terminals. To mark World Art Day, MCO gathered 23 of its sculptures, murals, mosaics, and more. How many do you recognize?*

• Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

• “Kiss from a Vampire” by Paige P.
• “Poetry on a Diet” by Cindy L.
• “Dixieland Road Diet Dilemma” by Anna C.