Uniquely Local, Unique Potential
At the very core of our community lie three vitally important Community Redevelopment Areas:
Downtown, Midtown, and Dixieland.
Each district is uniquely local – rich in history, character, and cultural identity.
These areas are where Lakeland began – and where our future potential still lives.
Downtown is comprised of 555 acres of several sub-districts with the core being a bustling center of retail, dining, and a growing arts & entertainment scene. Centered around Munn Park, the downtown redevelopment area is walkable and aesthetically pleasing. With residential creeping in, downtown in primed to reach its potential.
Dixieland CRA is a 72.61 acre commercial corridor with a collection of vintage retail shops. Featuring a budding restaurant scene and coffeehouses where the creatives go to connect and collaborate, Dixieland is the gateway to Downtown’s Arts & Entertainment Center.
Midtown, with its 4,463 acres, is the largest of the three CRA Districts. It spans from the intown bypass to Interstate-4. The area is anchored by the Medical District, Joker Marchant Stadium and the newly redeveloped Mass Market. This district includes 10 active and engaged registered residential neighborhoods.
Restore the Core Project Timeline
re·store /rəˈstôr/:
return (someone or something) to a former condition, place, or position;
reinstate
core /kôr/:
the part of something that is central to its existence or character
Why CRA Plan Updates Matter
The CRA Plans guide how we invest in our urban core over the next several years. They are designed to:
Attract and retain new businesses
Improve overall quality of life
Celebrate and preserve our history and cultural identity
Foster a sense of community pride
Create a lively and beautiful environment where people want to live, work, and connect
Over time, the needs of each district change — and so must the vision.
Updating the CRA Plans ensures we continue to make smart, strategic investments that reflect the priorities of the people who live, work, and visit our urban core today.
A Shared Commitment
The core defines Lakeland.
It represents who we are.
It tells the story of where we’ve been —
and where we are going.
To restore the core is to work together to preserve
its past, while actively shaping a thriving and
vibrant future for current and future generations.
This is more than a plan update.
It’s a commitment to restore, reinvest in, and
re-energize the heart of our community.