A group in Lakeland is working to turn a neglected neighborhood into a thriving, new community. 

  • Old, crime filled apartment complex to become thriving community
  • CRA to develop single family homes on land
  • Houses to start at $119,000
  • Development project has received support & criticism

An apartment complex, just minutes from downtown Lakeland, has been locked up for years. The City's Community Redevelopment Agency Manager Nicole Travis said it used to be filled with crime. 

"What we had before was 120 apartments that were crime ridden, drug ridden, and it was really a blight to the community. What we have now is a clean slate," said Travis. 

The CRA plans to start building single family homes in May, with a starting price around $119,000. 

"The people that we would like to live here at Lincoln Square are people that have stable jobs,. This is not low income housing. This is not subsidized housing. These are people that would qualify for traditional mortgages," Travis said. 

The new development plan has received both support and criticism. 

Webster Park Neighborhood Association President Sam Simmons is all for the project. 

"Matter of fact, the community came out and supported it and endorsed it. Single family homes tend to bring about stabilizing influence on the community. They enhance the community. We need more single family homes," said Simmons. 

However, some living in the neighborhood don't think it's a good idea. 

Mykisha Bunton, who rents a home nearby, said, "You're still in the hood. They haven't cleaned up the neighborhood more than just the appearance. There's still crime everywhere you look. Even if they did sell those houses, there'd be no way anyone would stay unless they're participating in the criminal activity." 

Simmons has acknowledged that burglaries are still a problem in the area, but said violent crime is down. 

"We've seen dramatic decrease in crime, particularly gang violence. That has decreased tremendously," he said. 

Travis is still optimistic about the positive impact the new homes will have. 

"We have increased presence by Lakeland Police Department, not only in this area, but in our other redevelopment areas, and we have truly seen the benefit of that partnership," she said.