By Alan Johnson, EDC/IDB Board member
Links to agendas: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/840
https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/839
The April 25th Economic Development Commission (EDC) meeting at City Hall began with an update on city planning activities by Planning Director Forrest Owens. The final plat involving 32 lots has been approved for Evergreen Manor and construction is underway. Site work on Heron’s Ridge – Phase C is almost complete and ready for utilities. The final plat for Kensington Manor – Phase1 has been approved and construction has begun on the first of 24 lots. Also, the final plat for Phase 2 of Oakwood Grove involving 25 lots has been submitted for review. 
Mr. Owens also shared some of the changes he has been working on to create more streamline and more efficient processes for both residential and commercial development. Next steps will include soliciting feedback from local developers regarding Lakeland’s Land Development Regulations and associated processes. A complete review of the Land Development Regulations is set to commence June 1 and is expected to take about six months. However, “quick win” solutions will be implemented in an ongoing and prioritized fashion.
The Lake District
Next, Dexter Muller, economic development consultant for Lakeland,
provided updates on The Lake District and Lakeland Commons. The Lake District (TLD) has moved its tenants from Letters of Intent (LOI) to actual lease agreements, which is an important step for development financing. They currently have 100% of Phase 1 commercial space leased and have reservations and down payments for 60% of the Phase 1 residential development. TLD has paid off all of the land for the project and A2H has provided Phase 1 plans for infrastructure. Phase 1 of the development is scheduled to be finished and open by fall of 2020 so that retailers can take advantage of the 2020 Christmas season. Mr. Muller also explained that he is working on cash flow projections from the project and will be presenting them in the near future. He expects TLD to contribute approximately $1 million a year in tax revenues (both property and sales taxes) to the City and projects that the City could likely collect an additional $500,000 in occupancy taxes as the two Hotel sites are completed.
Lakeland Commons
Mr. Muller explained that the planning for Phase 1 of Lakeland Commons is well underway and the civil engineering plans have been submitted to the City for review. The Development Contract will be on the BOC (Board of Commissioners) work session agenda on May 2nd and presented for approval on May 9th. (Editor’s note: The May 2nd BOC meeting was cancelled with a business session scheduled for May 9th.) Their architectural plans are 50% complete and should be presented to the City for review in the next month or two. Site clearing, grading, and infrastructure work is expected to begin within 30 days and vertical construction is expected to begin within 6 months.
Lakeland Commons Planned Development is to be a 42-acre project at 9768 U.S. Highway 70 at the southwest corner of Seed Tick Road and Highway 70.
Lakeland Chamber of Commerce update
The Commission next reviewed an update from the Chamber of Commerce, who has recently added 15 new members bringing their membership to a record total of 118 members. Their upcoming activities include planning the Fall Golf Tournament (which will be held on September 30th) and a U.S. Highway 64 Beautification Project, which is funded by a recent Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) grant provided by Shelby County. New businesses moving into Lakeland include Smoothie King, Groome and Co. Realtors and Brinks Pediatric Dentistry. New Life Medical Center is expanding their business and moving into the former Walk-In Wellness space. They will be expanding their services to include primary care, urgent care and joint pain therapy.
Marketing initiatives
Alan Johnson provided an update of marketing initiatives for the City of Lakeland. A coordinated and branded compilation of print materials has been produced and is available for stakeholders to use for various marketing efforts. The next major focus is on establishing a coordinated and streamlined electronic presence for the City. Lakeland currently has information on four different websites. The new strategy will include condensing the City’s presence into three well-defined outlets; www.lakelandtn.gov, www.mylakelandchamber.org, and www.comediscoverlakeland.com. Each will have a specific focus and will be linked to the others for efficient reference. Mr. Johnson will be working with members of the Chamber and the City and will provide a detailed structure and strategy for all three outlets for review at the next meeting.
IDB meeting
Directly following the EDC meeting, Al Bright Jr., attorney/advisor for the Industrial Development Board (IDB),
led the IDB meeting, explaining that Simmon’s Bank had requested that an independent third party be appointed as the Project Manager for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) allocations for the Lakeland Commons project. City Engineer Emily Harrell has already released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). The RFQs will be collected and reviewed so that a Project Manager can be established within the next month. An initial draw request, which was approved by Simmon’s Bank and an independent project manager, was reviewed and likewise approved by the IDB for payment.
