Talbot House Ministries’ controversial plans to relocate its facilities to East Memorial Boulevard may have gained an unexpected supporter.
The Lakeland Downtown Development Authority’s board of directors voted at its Feb. 19 retreat to send a letter of support for Talbot House’s proposal to city commissioners, who are expected to take up the matter in late March.
“From the Downtown Authority’s opinion, moving the Talbot House is in our best interest,” said Landon Beck, the LDDA’s board chair.
The nonprofit, which provides emergency shelter, food and services to homeless individuals, currently bases its operations at 814 N. Kentucky Ave., 600 feet north of the LDDA’s district boundaries.
Julie Townsend, LDDA’s executive director, said Talbot House Ministries’ operations have had an undeniable impact on Lakeland’s downtown business district and the downtown.
“It is a big impact,” Townsend said. “We mitigate also with our safety ambassadors. We mitigate the impacts on us.”
Townsend highlighted how Talbot House has built its Kentucky Avenue campus gradually over several years, cobbling together different pieces. The new facility has been designed with features to address some of the site issues it has on Kentucky Avenue, she said.