Lakeland CRA advisory board backs purchase of three Dixieland parcels for redevelopment and parking access

The Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) advisory board voted to forward a staff recommendation to the City Commission to acquire three adjacent parcels at 1132 South Florida Avenue, 110 East Belmar Street and 114 East Belmar Street in the Dixieland corridor.

The recommendation, presented by Jonathan Rodriguez, project manager, says the three parcels total roughly 26,000 square feet (about 0.66 acres) and are zoned C2 (commercial) for the South Florida–facing parcels and MF‑12 for the rear parcel. "This item, as Valerie mentioned, is a strategic acquisition in Dixieland, in our Dixieland CRA. The addresses are on the slide. 1132 South Florida Avenue, 110 East Belmar Street, and 114 East Belmar Street," Rodriguez said.

Nut graf: Staff said the purchase is intended to reduce blight, enable infill redevelopment consistent with the…