May 8, 2024

Today’s Forecast

95º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:42 a.m. | Sunset 8:06 p.m.

It’s down to the Wire

Renderings of the Prospect Lake Wire mixed-use development

What retail and restaurants do you want to see offered at Prospect Lake Wire? | Renderings provided by Carter USA

Prospect Lake Wire is nearing completion at 380 Wire Dr., west of Lake Wire in the Downtown West area. Since its groundbreaking in February 2023, Lakelanders have been able to see the progress on this mixed-use development from outside. Now, take a look at renderings of what it will look like inside once it opens in late summer 2024.

The development will soon begin leasing 300 luxury apartments ranging from $1,550 studios to $2,350 three-bedroom units. Amenities include a fitness center, pool, outdoor kitchen, dog park + spa, and spaces for those who work remotely.

Residents and guests will also have access to 15,220 sqft of retail + restaurant space known as the Shops at Lake Wire. Businesses are still TBA, but our readers told us they’re hoping for casual dining like Blaze Pizza, a grocery store such as Trader Joe’s, and space for local small businesses.

This isn’t the only change planned for the area. Connectivity, infrastructure, and increased residential density are the top priorities in the City of Lakeland’s Downtown West Action Plan.

A map showing the walking distance between Prospect Lake Wire and Bonnet Springs Boulevard — City officials are working to make access to Bonnet Springs Park safer + easier from nearby areas.
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Screenshot via Google Maps

Lakelanders have pointed out that Prospect Lake Wire is just across from Bonnet Springs Park, but the two are separated by George Jenkins Boulevard. Although the complex and park are less than half a mile apart, it will still take residents either a five-minute car ride or a nearly half-hour walk to travel between them.

The Downtown West Action Plan aims to solve this, with multi-use trails planned to connect nearby neighborhoods like Prospect Lake Wire. The city also expects that the development will help to evolve the surrounding communities as the action plan progresses.

See the interior renderings

Events

Wednesday, May 8

Line Dancing & Karaoke | Wednesday, May 8 | 5-11:45 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Hit the dance floor to learn new moves at 5 p.m., then take the stage for karaoke at 8 p.m.

Thursday, May 9

Lakeland Food Truck Rally | Thursday, May 9 | 6-9 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Try food from 15 different food trucks while enjoying live music from a DJ.
Baking for Good | Thursday, May 9 | 6:30 p.m. | Banquet61, 105 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | $75-$125 | Tickets to this pastry making class benefit the nonprofit Hope House.

Friday, May 10

Dixieland Night Market | Friday, May 10 | 6-11 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Browse art, fashion, food, and jewelry from local makers at this monthly night market.
Damon Fowler Album Release Show | Friday, May 10 | Music Ranch, 1920 Banana Rd., Lakeland | $25 | This singer, guitarist, and songwriter will play his new album, “Barnyard Smile.”

Saturday, May 11

Kids Museum Day | Saturday, May 11 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Florida Air Museum, 4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland | Free | Take advantage of free museum admission to check out galleries, aircraft, and hands-on activities.
45th Mayfaire 5K Road Race & Walk | Saturday, May 11 | 7-9 p.m. | Lake Morton, Lakeland | $45 | Run through the downtown and Lake Morton districts during the annual Mayfaire by-the-Lake art festival.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

City commissioners approved a $300,000 project to add parking guidance systems to two downtown garages in a 4-3 vote. The systems will be installed in the Main Street + Heritage Plaza garages, including LED indicators of open parking spots. (The Ledger)

Community

Lakeland Electric’s McIntosh Unit 5 is expected to reach the end of its life by 2030, which would keep the utility from meeting peak power demand. The utility is considering options like extending Unit 5’s life or using alternative sources like solar power. (The Ledger)

Festival

There will be $17,000 on the table for artists to win this weekend at Mayfaire by-the-Lake. Browse their work around Lake Morton this Saturday, May 11-Sunday, May 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. This year’s event will also include art activities for kids. (LkldNow)

Edu

The Xi Pi Chapter of Polk State’s Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society ranked the No. 3 chapter in the world at this year’s international convention. The Xi Pi + Beta Upsilon Upsilon chapters brought home 15 total awards for service and scholarship.

Number

$20,000. That’s how much the four Lakeland Rotary Clubs donated to the city for the upkeep of Common Ground Playground. The clubs raise funds through the Rotary Twilight 5K Race — mark your calendar for the next run on Feb. 7, 2025.

Kids

Need a summer camp in June + July? Don’t miss the Coleman-Bush Building’s Camp STEM and Camp Esports for grades 3-12. If your child is an animal lover, check out the camping-themed Critter Camp at SPCA Florida for grades 4-9.

Transit

Getting around Lake Wales will soon be easier when the Squeeze begins operations there next week. Citrus Connection’s free golf cart shuttle service will run during lunchtime on weekdays with seven downtown stops, similar to its operations in Lakeland. (The Ledger)

Show

Comedian J.D. Witherspoon will take the stage this weekend at Laugh Out Lounge in Winter Haven. Tickets are $20 to see the popular YouTube star this Friday, May 10 or Saturday, May 11 at 8 p.m. (The Ledger)

Health

Your body is made to move — but you shouldn’t have to move too far to find orthopedic care. The orthopedic team at Lakeland Regional Health offers a wide range of specialties so you can get the care you need, close to home. Learn more + get back to the activities you love.*

Wellness

Purple Carrot delivers plant-based meals right to your door. This month’s chef-prepared meal kits are spring-themed + filled with seasonal ingredients (think: Super Greens Fried Rice with Peanut Drizzle).*

Drink

🧋 You can’t beat these boba shops

Try the new menu at Hana Tea House — our favorites are the Thai tea and Red Velvet smoothie. | Photo by LALtoday

Yesterday we shared about some of our favorite spots for tea, but many of our readers were thirsty for more. Don’t forget about these local places to find boba tea.

Hana Tea House, 4525 S. Florida Ave., Ste. 6
This shop has an extensive menu of specialty teas and smoothies, but you can also create your own. Don’t know where to start? We love the classic House Thai Tea.

Saigon Bistro, 1554 Town Center Dr. W.
Visit this Lakeside Village restaurant and customize any drink on the menu to add boba pearls. Our favorite is the Florida orange blossom green tea.

My Ramen, 3121 US Hwy. 98 S.
You won’t run out of options here — we counted more than 70 menu options with flavors like taro, winter melon, and lychee.

9 more boba bizzes

The Buy

Sunglasses under $100, because we’re heading into the brightest months of the year (yay). We like these tortoiseshell Ray-Bans or this cat-eye Jimmy Choo pair.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

Did you get the quiz question in yesterday’s newsletter right? We asked where you could find the Wonder Woman tea, and most of our readers guessed correctly with HTeaO. This is my favorite concoction off of the “Not-So-Secret Menu” — just combine watermelon, coconut, and blueberry sweet tea.

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