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 corridor's commercial guidelines and master planning, and to reestablish alley access that would provide legal, dedicated access to an existing city parking area behind the site.

Under the proposed contract attached to the staff memo, the combined purchase price for all three parcels is $750,000. "Under the attached agreement, the CRA would purchase the properties for a purchase price of $750,000," Rodriguez said. The CRA would provide a $15,000 deposit and would have a 150‑day due diligence period to evaluate the site. Staff said the closing deadline in the draft contract is on or before June 25, 2025.

Because one rear parcel lies outside the Dixieland CRA district, the City of Lakeland would pay the seller $70,925 for that parcel; the CRA's portion for the two frontage parcels is $679,075, staff said. Valerie (staff) explained the split: money from CRA funds can only be spent inside the CRA boundary, so the third parcel's cost would be charged to the city rather than CRA funds.

Staff and board members also discussed site details to be resolved during due diligence. Rodriguez told the board staff has not yet completed a survey and that a survey and other due‑diligence items will confirm ownership of the Dixieland monument sign and easements. "I think it's on an easement. But the survey and due diligence will confirm that," he said. Board members asked about alley connectivity and whether redevelopment would preserve the existing monument sign; staff said the sign has been in place since 2011 and that survey and feasibility work will determine whether it can remain in place or must be relocated.

The advisory board's action was procedural: staff asked the advisory board to approve forwarding the acquisition contract and recommendation to the City Commission acting as the CRA for final approval. A board member moved to "approve the staff request to pass on to the city CRA," and Lynn seconded the motion. The board voted in favor and the motion passed; staff will present the final contract to the City Commission for approval.

Ending: If the commission approves the contract, staff said the CRA will complete title and site work during the 150‑day due diligence window and pursue alley access and any necessary access agreements to connect the rear parcel to an existing city parking lot. Staff did not present a proposed developer or a redevelopment plan for the site at this meeting—rather, they described the purchase as a catalyst step to enable future redevelopment consistent with the Dixieland redevelopment goals.