The Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is launching a new program for façade improvement and it comes with an art component to help bring color and life to one of the City’s main corridors. The Art Infusion Grant Program will launch on February 15th and it was developed for the purpose of refreshing building facades and encouraging artistic expression through murals. Commercial properties along the South Florida Avenue corridor in Dixieland and Downtown from George Jenkins Boulevard to Lenox Street (see attached map) are eligible for the grant program.
The grant program is available to all properties/businesses within the priority area, subject to specific terms and condition. Qualifying criteria, benefits, and/or limits of the program may be increased or decreased at the discretion of the CRA. As a condition of approval, property/business owners receiving benefits using Dixieland Art Infusion funds will agree to remain in the same location a minimum of five (5) years after improvements have been made. Once a grant has been awarded, neither the businesses occupying that property, nor the building owner can reapply for another grant for the same location for a five (5) year period. A more detailed guide on the program is attached.
Alis Drumgo, CRA Manager said, “Dixieland has experienced an explosion of infill renovation projects over the last couple of years that brought us Born and Bread Bakehouse, Patriot Coffee, and Union Hall. We also owe it to the longstanding family businesses, boutique shops, eateries, and residents that have helped Dixieland hit its full potential over the last few years. For this project, we created a set of color palettes inspired by Old Dixieland. Art is a known contributor to revitalizing communities and we have a mission to add art to every redevelopment project. We’re excited about the buzz going into this and when it is all said and done, the facades will pop!”
Commercial property owners along this designated corridor are welcome to apply online by visiting www.lakelandcra.net/artinfusion. Façade improvements may include paint, awnings, and murals. Approved businesses will be matched with an artist for mural installation. Property owner applications will open on February 15th, 2021 at 9 a.m. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Simultaneously, a national call for artist entry will be conducted via CAFÉ (www.callforentry.org). Interested artists will need to set up an online account with CAFÉ and submit portfolio for consideration.
Drumgo said, “The lack of pedestrian safety and deteriorating façades along the South Florida corridor left a lot to be desired due to the proximity of passing traffic. The South Florida road diet test is in full operation and the new traffic pattern has allowed the buildings to breathe a bit. This next phase will hopefully encourage residents and visitors to take back public spaces and enjoy the outdoors as was the case historically in Dixieland. We believe the murals will be a big draw to help bring more visitors to the area!”
For more information, call the CRA office at 863.834.5200, visit www.lakelancra.net/artinfusion, or email Damaris Stull, CRA project manager at [email protected].