Publix Supermarkets Inc. has proposed plans to build its technology campus in downtown Lakeland, bringing hundreds of new jobs to the area. To do so, it wants permission to level a building and pave a parking lot.
The Lakeland-based grocery chain has come back to Lakeland commissioners seeking to demolish the former Florida Citrus Mutual building at 411 E. Orange St. and asking for a conditional-use permit to use it as a surface parking lot. Publix has said the lot would be used by “hundreds of new employees” coming downtown as it plans to invest upward of $50 million into creating the company’s new technology hub.”
Surface parking is not the highest and best use in a downtown. We know that. We have gone through a lot of steps, we have a Catalyst plan and we are looking at that,” said Jason Willey, the city’s assistant director of economic development and manager of strategic projects, to commissioners at Friday’s agenda study. “But really this is a remarkable opportunity.”
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