What's Happening in Lakeland, FL…

Lakeland has recently made efforts to clean up the city.

City officials foreclosed and acquired five residential properties that were deemed both an eyesore and a sanitation hazard. Three of them were houses and two were apartment buildings. Although details about what the city will do with the properties has not been disclosed, this is a step in making the city cleaner.

In addition, the Small Structures Project of the Year Award went to the Shoreline Restoration Project for the Lake Hollingsworth Shoreline. The West Coast branch of the American Public Works Association gives out the award.

The $192,000 project built outfalls for storm water, created control measures for erosion, and made recreational areas safer in the southernmost side of the lake, which is a popular area for fun activities near the boat ramp. The city built a seawall on the part of the shore that was deteriorating, keeping it efficient and safe.

The project finished early last year but its effects are already starting to show. Stakeholders like the Orange Cup Regatta, the Department of Parks, and the Lakeland Water Ski Club have showed satisfaction with how it looks, and noted that it has stopped the shoreline from further eroding.

A brochure printing company could take pictures of the improvements around the city for tourist information and advertising literature for potential residents.