Lakeland Local
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - Senators Need To Stick It To Lakeland to Save CSX Deal
Posted: 27 Mar 2009 05:05 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/OnI3WrumN3U/
No one could have predicted this would happen.
As the Orlando Sentinel reports, Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, says
his Transportation and Economic Development Committee will not hear the CSX
freight realignment bill until language addressing Lakeland is either
killed or gutted further from its already rather acute state of
meaninglessness.
Heres the money passage from the Sentinel reporting:
In the time-compressed politics of the Florida Legislature, the [delay] is
a serious sign of trouble for the insurance legislation CSX Corp. and the
Orlando region need to consummate the state’s purchase of the 61 miles of
tracks for commuter trains.
Senate Transportation and Economic Development budget chief Mike Fasano,
R-New Port Richey, said SunRail backers had not addressed his concerns with
language meant to bump Lakeland up on the waiting list for transportation
dollars to divert freight traffic away from its downtown.
Lakeland officials have long complained the commuter project would send
more freight-train traffic rumbling through their downtown. But Fasano has
been upset that the plan to appease Lakeland by bumping them up in the
states transportation construction waiting-list would throw a wrench into
the states system designed to take political considerations out of the
ranking of road projects.
Nothing’s changed, Fasano said.
Remember, this is the language Fasano currently cant accept:
“Following the completion of the department’s alternative rail traffic
evaluation, the department shall begin a project development and
environmental study that must be reviewed and approved by appropriate
federal agencies so that a preferred alternative can be identified which
minimizes the impacts associated with freight rail movements along the
corridor. This preferred alternative shall become the basis for future
development of this freight rail corridor and shall be prioritized for
funding in the department’s work program no later than 10 years from
commencement of construction of the CSX Integrated Logistics Center…”
That language itself is a step back from the House language, which talks
about eliminating excess traffic within eight years of the start of the
commuter system in Orlando. There are more holes in the Senate language
than a golf course, but its still not acceptable to Fasano.
Hmmmm. You know, Im beginning to think Ive been wrong about the citys
approach to all of this. I used to think they were well-meaning, but a
little naive, and unwittingly serving Orlandos unsuccessful efforts to
isolate Paula Dockery. But now, Im reassessing. Maybe this was their
strategy all along. Successfully negotiate language for Lakeland that
requires spending somewhere between $500 million and $1.2 billion and then
watch it become a poison pill. Thats pretty subtle, even skillful. Kudos.
The next big question is whether the Orlando folks will strip the Lakeland
language. My guess is they will. But its just a guess. Yet simply getting
the language in the bill in the first place has slowed it down and caused
more headaches for the Orlando folks. For that, the cynical political
operator in me says: Well played, sirs.
And finally, I now think that if the freight realignment deal goes down,
and CSX gets no public money for the hub, it wont get built - at least for
a number of years. I base that sense partly on some completely unreliable
third-hand scuttlebut Ive heard and partly on common sense. The stuff and
vehicle-based economy that drove the push for this hub has crashed and
faces long-term structural hurdles to returning to what it was in 2005. At
the same time, Floridas explosive population growth, which also drove the
rationale for the hub, has halted.
Im willing to put my - meager - money where my mouth is. Anybody who wants
to bet a $1 on the fate of the hub if the realignment deal goes down, drop
me a line.
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as Senators Need To Stick It To Lakeland to Save CSX
Deal
Lakeland Local
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - Lakeland Florida Homes for Sale Listed 03/15 to 03/21
Posted: 26 Mar 2009 03:48 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/nId4qarrha0/
CommunityWalk Map - Lakeland FL New Home Listings
03/15 to 03/21
Full Size MapL Lakeland FL New
Home Listings 03/15 to 03/21
The report from Petra Norris at Lakeland Real Estate Blog
There were 69 homes newly listed in Lakeland with an average sales price of
$182,264 or $97.77 per square foot. In total, there are 2,191 properties
currently for sale according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS).
1 ½ duplex listed for sale at $69,000
1 condo listed for sale at sales price of $239,900
4 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $76,625
4 townhomes/villas with an average sales price of $99,825
59 single family homes with an average price of $195,958
The priciest home that came newly on the market is a 1999 luxury home built
by Mark Hulbert located in the Crescent Hills of Christina Community;
featuring 4 bedrooms and 3 baths with over 5,000 square feet of living
space currently offered for $749,900. On the contrary, the cheapest home
newly on the market is a 2 bedroom 1 bath bank-owned listed for only
$36,900 located in Bon Air Subdivision.
The breakdown by zip code is as follows:
33801 – 12
33803 – 07
33805 – 06
33809 – 07
33810 – 17
33811 – 02
33812 – 03
33813 – 13
33815 – 02
There are 27 newly distressed properties being offered for sale listed this
past week at an average price for a home is $136,375 ($65.29 per square
foot).
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as Lakeland Florida Homes for Sale Listed 03/15 to
03/21
Lakeland Local
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - Whittle on the Impact of the Impact Fee Hearing
Posted: 21 Mar 2009 08:46 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/kgx02nVM4cQ/
Wednesday’s impact fee hearing set a new low standard even for the Polk
County Commission.
The good: The Commission accepted a study lowering transportation impact
fees based on reduced cost projections. Impact fees should be fairly
assessed; and never more than required to offset the impact of growth. Our
system worked!
The bad: Four Commissioners caved to PCBA lobbying and arbitrarily reduced
other impact fees by 50%.
Allegedly, this would stimulate commercial building and energize the job
market. Never mind the glut of existing buildings already available in the
county.
No evidence was presented to support the notion that reducing impact fees
will help our flagging economy. The County Economist correctly advised
that changing impact fees was unlikely to have any effect. Other factors
are driving the current economic crisis.
These other impact fees are due to be reviewed and acted on within the next
couple months. So, there was no need whatsoever for this precipitous
decision.
The ugly: Why did commissioners waste time and tax money discussing such a
silly proposal? Are they moving away from impact fees that work as
intended in the public interest just because they’re a thorn in the side
of the PCBA?
Wednesday’s action opens the door for elimination of all impact fees under
an “any old excuse is good enough” scenario. We’re now likely doomed to
another round of out-of-control growth-on-the-cheap followed inevitably by
deterioration of our infrastructure and quality of life; and by another tax
increase to subsidize developer profits.
More importantly, the Commission committed us to wasted time and resources
trying to revive the decaying corpse of a failed business strategy – one
that placed the whole world in danger of a depression.
We must discard past failures and move quickly to develop and implement new
strategies to prosper in a changing world. Obviously what we’ve been doing
for years isnt working. We need to change course.
Shamefully, four commissioners are frittering away our chance to move Polk
County forward. They continue pandering to the same old special
interests. This will reduce Polk County’s future potential and the fault
will rest directly on these four commissioners’ abject lack of leadership,
political courage, and vision.
The ugliest: The inescapable appearance that four commissioners had done
the deal before Wednesday’s hearing is shocking. They wasted our time and
tax dollars on a sham hearing and announced a pre-determined decision under
the guise of pretending full public input and thoughtful deliberation.
Ironically, three of these four don’t think we have an ethics problem in
local government.
The bottom line: The current investigation of possible School Board
corruption emerged from what appeared to be routine relations between a
government official and private sector builders. Does the same potential
exist in the relationship between the PCBA and the Board of County
Commissioners?
photo credit: Tom Hagerty for Lakeland Local
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as Whittle on the Impact of the Impact Fee Hearing
Lakeland Local
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - Social Media: What is it? How can it help your business?
Posted: 19 Mar 2009 05:51 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/OEU6-voeYeE/
Before you read on, please know this post is about a free presentation Im
making next week. Sufficiently warned?
If you read Lakeland Local by visiting the site*, youve seen the tab
labeled Lakeland Short Reports. I post those short reports using a tool
called Twitter.
If youve not heard of it, just imagine instant messaging that has broken
free of the one-to-one restriction. Its one of the tools in a style of
communication lumped together as social media.*
The gist of social media is a style of communication that is not bound by
outdated methods of publication restricted to practitioners who buy ink by
the barrel.
In other words, the same communication weve had all along, but now you can
reach greater numbers.
Sufficiently confused?
Well, youve heard of texting, blogs, MySpace, Facebook. Yeah. Thats also
social media.
The fine folks at the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency have asked me
to present a workshop entitled, Social Media: What is it? How can it help
your business?” That title is much catchier than the one I suggested, Catch
Social Media, but its Not a Disease.
If you have an hour, Ill present the basics of engaging your community with
simple social media tools. Simplicity, efficiency, and a strong return on
your time investment are the key factors well investigate.
The presentation is Tuesday, March 24, 2009 from noon to 1:00 PM. If the
group fits, well be in the Building Inspection Conference Room at City
Hall. Well find another place in City Hall if a few more register. To
register, please call or email at 863-834-6011 or LCRA@lakelandgov.net
* - (Its not a term I coined. I think it leads people to wonder what is
unsocial media.)
** - If you read this site on your Blackberry, or feed readeryou should
stop by the site sometime.
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as Social Media: What is it? How can it help your
business?
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - Lakeland Tweetup/Meetup for March 31
Posted: 19 Mar 2009 05:44 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/vUhnd0QPPAQ/
Lakeland area bloggers and other social media users are all invited to the
next tweetup/meetup on March 31st at 7pm.
Were taking a more laid-back approach this time. No presentations teaching
the wonders of Twitter. Just a group of social media fans with the
opportunity to meet in person. Its a chance to mingle with Lakelands social
media cutting edge.
Were trying a new meeting place this month. Barry Friedman, the Ledgers
Managing Editor/Digital, offered the use of the Ledgers lobby. Hes going to
supply refreshments, and offer tours of the Polk County newspaper of record.
To help me let Barry know how many to expect, please comment below if you
plan to come. Or email me at tweetup [at] lakelandlocal.com, or send me a
tweet at @chuckwelch.
View Larger Map
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as Lakeland Tweetup/Meetup for March 31
Lakeland Local
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - Lakeland Florida Homes for Sale Listed 03/08 to 03/14
Posted: 18 Mar 2009 01:11 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/HcZux2mV8Oc/
Full size map Lakeland FL New Home Listings 03/08 to 03/14
The report from Petra Norris at Lakeland Real Estate Blog
There were 73 homes newly listed in Lakeland with an average sales price of
$194,453 or $95.50 per square foot. Following the inventory in recent
month, the numbers have been steady at about 2,200 properties currently for
sale according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS).
Let’s give the inventory some perspective – during the height of the market
around June 2004 our inventory was at 460 homes and the months of supply
was at 1.13. In February of 2008, the property inventory grew to over 3,000
home, that translates to approximately a 28 month of supply. We continue
experiencing a high volume of inventory, but all in all we are reaching the
levels of 2006.
Amongst the newly listed properties, here is a breakdown of category:
3 ½ duplex listed for sale at $79,966
1 condo is listed at a sales price of $89,900
3 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $122,766
2 townhomes/villas with an average sales price of $126,250
67 single family homes with an average price of $206,385
The priciest home that came newly on the market is a 1948 luxury pool home
located in the historic Lake Hollingsworth neighborhood; featuring 5
bedrooms and 3-2 ½ baths with over 5,200 square feet of living space
currently offered for $1,025,000. On the contrary, the cheapest home newly
on the market is a 3 bedroom 1 bath bank-owned home in the Hilltop Heights
subdivision, listed for $49,900 – just under $60.00 per square feet.
The breakdown by zip code is as follows:
33801 – 07
33803 – 12
33805 – 06
33809 – 11
33810 – 10
33811 – 07
33812 – 03
33813 – 16
33815 – 04
There are 28 newly distressed properties being offered for sale listed this
past week at an average price for a home is $122,489 ($73.35 per square
foot).
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as Lakeland Florida Homes for Sale Listed 03/08 to
03/14
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - Lakeland Minute - The Arts Are Alive in Lakeland!
Posted: 17 Mar 2009 10:25 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/J3uLMqIEWHo/
I’ve been enjoying reading about our local arts community at our sister
site Arts.LakelandLocal so I just had to get a sneak peak at what Meredith
was writing about – Innovations Dance. They let me take my video camera in…
The Florida Dance Theatre (our only local professional dance company and
training academy) is hard at work for their next show Innovations Dance IV.
Watch a preview of “In The Black” number. In this Lakeland Minute video -
Glynn Owens, Nick Bass, Mai Okubo, Becky Yaeger, Kassi Abrev and Kimberly
Parks. Choreography by Ferdinand DeJesus. Read more about this event and
how to go to the performance at Arts.LakelandLocal.
(Reading on iphone? watch here.)
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as Lakeland Minute - The Arts Are Alive in Lakeland!
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - MacMeekin to Townsend: Drop Dead (More or Less)
Posted: 17 Mar 2009 05:55 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/iaY0UvIXqtg/
Wow. Over at Metro I-4 News, in response to my stimulus post, James
MacMeekin shouts Get off my lawn, you obnoxious kid and offers a stirring,
if cranky, rebuttal. Ill answer him later. But for now, let me just say
that Im honored to spend part of my tax money paying for his excellent, and
well-earned, socialized VA health care.
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as MacMeekin to Townsend: Drop Dead (More or Less)
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - LL Extends Its Reach To The Creative Loafing "HoCast"
Posted: 17 Mar 2009 04:52 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/9MF_OttzlDA/
Have you always wanted to hear me hold forth on the great issues of the day
in spririted coversations with other titans of opinion? No? Well, humor me
anyway and come over to Creative Loafing, Tampa Bays alternative news rag.
Wayne Garcia, CLs resident political reporter and author of the Political
Whore blog, invited me to take part in the HoCast, the paper weekly podcast.
Come hear me try to make sense of the financial system, examine the
brilliance of Jon Stewart, and even explain the CSX deal to the
uninitiated. Heres the link.
And speaking of CSX, remember all those predictions for what would happen
in this weeks Transportation Committee meeting? Well, the Transportation
Committee now wont hear the bill this week at all. Not sure what that means.
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as LL Extends Its Reach To The Creative Loafing
“HoCast”
Lakeland Local
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - Wilkinson to Speak on Ethics Tonight
Posted: 16 Mar 2009 07:17 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/H01U8BtKyCw/
County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson has proposed the commissioners adopt an
ethics policy. As you could imagine, the idea has caused much consternation
and discussion. The Florida Bipartisan Civic Affairs Group has invited
Wilkinson to speak to the group about the policy.
Tonights meeting is open to the public. After his presentation, Wilkinson
will give the public the opportunity to ask questions. The meeting is
6:30 PM in the Community Room of the Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake
Morton Drive.
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as Wilkinson to Speak on Ethics Tonight
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - Gaming Out the CSX Deals Rerouting Language
Posted: 16 Mar 2009 07:01 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/Ntt2C2xTBWc/
Following last weeks Senate Judiciary Committee meeting, Lakeland-specific
rerouting language now exists in both the House and Senate bills
authorizing the CSX deal. But the Senate language is far less sweeping in
its time frames and goals than the House language. Even so, Lakeland City
Manager Doug Thomas told me via email that the watered down Senate language
is good enough, and the city is positioned to support the initiative w/
approval of the subject amendments legislatively. Obviously, that statement
leaves a lot of ambiguity, probably because uncertainty continues to
surround whats going to happen. Issue number one is that a key senator,
Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, says even the watered down Senate version
will be DOA in his committee next week.
Ive provided a side-by-side comparison of the House and Senate language.
And Ill game out the likely scenarios as I see them.
Senate language (link not available):
Following the completion of the departments alternative rail traffic
evaluation, the department shall begin a project development and
environmental study that must be reviewed and approved by appropriate
federal agencies so that a preferred alternative can be identified which
minimizes the impacts associated with freight rail movements along the
corridor. This preferred alternative shall become the basis for future
development of this freight rail corridor and shall be prioritized for
funding in the departments work program no later than 10 years from
commencement of construction of the CSX Integrated Logistics Center
House language:
Work with the impacted local governments and CSX Transportation Company to
identify and develop an alternative route for through rail traffic destined
for the CSX Integrated Logistics Center in Winter Haven. As soon as
possible following the completion of the departments alternative rail
traffic evaluation, the department shall begin a project development and
environmental study of the preferred alternative such that the negative
impacts of commuter rail programs, and intercity rail transportation system
projects funded by the state, will be eliminated not later than eight years
after commuter rail programs and intercity rail transportation system
projects begin operation
Fasano said rather bluntly that even the watered down Senate Lakeland
language is way out of bounds and will come out when his transportation
appropriations committee meets next week. Fasanos reaction illustrates
pretty nicely why I and many others think the state will remove or simply
ignore any Lakeland-specific rerouting language after CSX and Orlando get
their deal. And honestly, from legislators point-of-view, its hard to blame
them. As Ive described before, if you accept DOTs exorbitant cost
projections, the Lakeland/west Central Florida rerouting amounts to a $1.2
billion poison bill. It immediately doubles the cost of the entire deal.
From a purely provincial standpoint, why would some senator in the
Panhandle or south Florida, circa 2012, vote to commit that kind of money
to a rerouting that doesnt really impact them and doesnt have a hugely
powerful constituency behind it? And from a bigger picture view, this
entire process - and Im talking about the entire deal now - is a terrible
way to make transportation policy with longterm implications.
Said Fasano:
Youre going to have other members in both chambers saying, If were doing it
for Lakeland, if were doing it there, then we ought to do it in this
district or that district, Fasano said.
Uhhh, yep.
Considering all this, whats likely to happen in the rest of the session? If
senators were free to vote their consciences on this deal, I think it would
blow up faster than Jim Cramers credibility. However, the legislature, like
the military, exists to preserve democracy, not practice it. Enormous
coercive political and lobbying power is being brought to bear on this
deal. And that may prove enough to jam it through. Its going to be a very
close call, with the determining factor probably the relative power of the
budget politics and the specter of trail lawyer and union-funded attack ads
come 2010. (Yes, I know the trial lawyers are not actively opposing the
bill this time, but do you think they would refrain from using a so-and-so
voted for CSX when we were laying off teachers if they thought it would
work during an election?)
As for the Lakeland language, here are my takes on how the Lakeland
language plays out next week:
1) Most likely, I think, is that some further watered down rerouting
language will emerge as a rhetorical compromise. The bill survives Fasanos
committee and moves on with Lakeland city governments tacit support, which
is actually quite irrelevant to the deals fate beyond allowing supporters
to try to undermine Paula Dockerys opposition efforts. In reconciling the
bill with the House, negotiators would eventually choose the weaker Senate
language.
2) Somewhat less likely is that the city convinces Fasano to leave the
Senate language as it is, and the deal eventually faces the music with the
Senates Lakeland provision intact. The key consideration here is whether
senators would consider the rerouting language a true commitment, and thus
a $1.2 billion poison pill, or if they would consider it a wink-wink,
nudge-nudge placeholder that can be disposed of later with no consequences.
I think, when push came to shove, the wink-wink characerization is far more
likely.
3) Even less likely, Fasanos committee could remove the Lakeland language
entirely and push the bill forward with no Lakeland/west Central Florida
consideration. That would actually be the most honest approach supporters
of the deal could take, which is why I think it wont happen.
4) The best, and thus least likely option, is that the bill dies in Fasanos
committee because of its myriad flaws.
In any case, I think the rather forceful eliminated in 8 years language
from the House is toast. Once the city tacitly agreed to the weaker Senate
language, it removed all incentive for anyone to adopt the tougher House
language.
None of this means the city is necessarily wrong to do what its doing. I
think officials are working hard to play the game as it confronts them and
protect the citys interests as they perceive them. The problem, as I see
it, is that this is a rigged game and has been from the start.
However, all of this activity has drummed up the outlines of a decent I-4
corridor deal, focused on the Van Fleet Trail. The key, of course, is that
Winter Haven seems not to object to having the excess freight jammed down
into the heart of its downtown. That seems to be a trade the city is
willing to make for the ILC. Please correct me if Im inferring too much
from Havens silence concerning the Van Fleet Trail option.
If the legislature blows up this deal, I think a legitimate possibility
exists of creating a new deal, which must be backed by some kind of state
mass transit tax/funding source, that incorporates Amtrak and regional
transit authorities, accomodates CSXs needs fairly, and sets us all on a
much better transit path.
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as Gaming Out the CSX Deal’s Rerouting Language
Lakeland Local
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - Lakeland Local Makes a Video Report
Posted: 15 Mar 2009 09:32 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/-mHrThJVm60/
Youve noticed that many newspapers have added video to their sites. While many decry that newspapers and TV news are simply merging, we applaud their efforts. Of course, they can afford the cameras and video editing software. On the hyperlocal, all-volunteer, community news level we have to make do with far less
Would you like to see more video short reports on Lakeland Local?
If you have a slower connection, or have buffer problems you can press play, then pause for a bit to fill the buffer, then press play again. Or check out The Local at xtranormal.com
Ed note: Hat tip to bydio for pointing out Xtranormal.com
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as Lakeland Local Makes a Video Report
Lakeland Local
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - Has the Lakeland Housing Market Bottomed Out?
Posted: 14 Mar 2009 11:48 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/lFWuziXjX_8/
CommunityWalk Map - Lakeland Homes Sold February 2009
Full Size Map Lakeland Homes Sold February 2009
The report from Petra Norris at Lakeland Real Estate Blog
While the average sales price of $132,801 ($69.50 per sq.ft) for February
dropped 22% from the previous year, it showed a slight increase of 1% over
the previous month. There was also an increase in properties sold, 125
Lakeland properties were sold in February compared to 113 homes sold the
previous month. Over the past three months, the average sold price for a
Lakeland home was $132,800.
What do you think, has the market in Lakeland, Florida bottomed out?
With the recent declining inventory and the latest sold data information
within the past few months, there are definitely signs showing that this
market has bottomed out. Caution, however, must be taken into consideration
since almost half of the sold homes were “Bank-owned” properties which
generally drive the property values of the homes down.
What is selling in Lakeland?
Within the past few months and February proofed to be no different, the
distressed homes and more importantly the bank-owned (REO) properties
dominated the sales activities here in Lakeland with 62 properties sold in
February.
With over 2500 properties currently for sale and pending, we are
experiencing a 21 month of supply for the regular homes and distressed
homes.
Let’s break it down for you to see the supply and demand for common
properties for sale versus the distressed market.
Common properties only – Inventory active and pending 1877 homes resulting
in 31 month of supply.
Distressed properties – Inventory active and pending 649 homes resulting in
an 11 month supply.
Of the 125 homes sold last month in Lakeland, 62 distressed homes were sold
with an average sales price of $103,137($58.82 per sq.ft.) compared to only
15 homes that were sold the previous year, due to Short Sales and/or
Foreclosures. Interestingly to note that 51 out of 62 properties were
bank-owned (REO) and these homes make up almost 50% in total sales in
Lakeland, Florida.
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as Has the Lakeland Housing Market Bottomed Out?
Lakeland Local
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - Lakeland Florida Homes for Sale Listed 03/01 to 03/07
Posted: 11 Mar 2009 09:18 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/xVTOWvq8iAE/
CommunityWalk Map - Lakeland FL New Home Listings 03/01 to 03/07
Full Size Lakeland FL New Home Listings 03/01 to 03/07
A quick guide to this weeks listings by Lakeland Realtor Petra Norris:
There were 84 homes newly listed in Lakeland with an average sales price of
$188,280 or $96.89 per square foot. In total, there are 2,197 properties
currently for sale according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS).
1 ½ duplex listed for sale at $88,000
6 condos listed at an average sales price of $135,966
4 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $96,500
5 townhomes/villas with an average sales price of $169,060
68 single family homes with an average price of $201,182
The priciest home that came newly on the market is a 2007 luxury pool home
located in the Eaglebrooke Golf Community; featuring 5 bedrooms and 4 baths
with over 4,700 square feet of living space currently offered for
$1,175,000. On the contrary, the cheapest home newly on the market is a 3
bedroom 1 bath bank-owned fixer-upper listed for only $19,900 - $17.21 per
square foot.
The breakdown by zip code is as follows:
33801 – 09
33803 – 16
33805 – 05
33809 – 10
33810 – 17
33811 – 05
33812 – 04
33813 – 16
33815 – 02
There are 28 newly distressed properties being offered for sale listed this
past week at an average price for a home is $108,900 ($65.29 per square
foot).
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as Lakeland Florida Homes for Sale Listed 03/01 to
03/07
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - Celebrate St. Pattys Day With PACE Center For Girls
Posted: 11 Mar 2009 11:42 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/V_vK0bhYHMI/
Make plans now to attend the 1st Annual St. Patricks Day Shamrock
Shenanigans Giving Never Tasted So Good Fundraiser benefiting Polk PACE
Center for Girls this Friday, March 13, 6-10:00 p.m.
The event will be held at the Lake Mirror Center in downtown Lakeland and
will include signature dishes by:
• Zohras Lakeside Restaurant
• Harrys Seafood Bar Grille
• Black and Brew Coffee House Bistro
• Wine Roses
• Terrie Lobb Catering
• Cakes for the Connoisseur
• Freds Southern Kitchen
• Shirley! She Caters!
• Catering More
• Dixie Catering
There also will be wine, green margaritas, beer and soft drinks. Dance and
be entertained by Norris Riggs His Music Makers.
Tickets are $30 each; $50 for a pair; $200 for a reserved table for eight.
The cost includes food, drink, entertainment. Tickets can be purchased at
the PACE Center for Girls, 440 S. Florida Ave., (863) 688-5596; or Action
Healthcare, 1645 Lakeland Hills Blvd., (863) 680-2273.
Call Shirley Whitney for reservations or additional information: (863)
644-4145 or (863) 661-9435.
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as Celebrate St. Patty’s Day With PACE Center For
Girls
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - Video Surveillance of the Lakeland Bombing/Commercial
Shoot
Posted: 11 Mar 2009 07:45 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/k3K9Ukhajbo/
If you havent read the story by now, the three youths who placed the
explosive devices on the downtown parking garage turned themselves in
Monday night. They claimed they were merely making a commercial for a
Mountain Dew contest.
The Lakeland Police Department released surveillance video from Sunday
morning. It shows the men placing and exploding one device. Ive made a few
annotations and present that video below:
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as Video Surveillance of the Lakeland
Bombing/Commercial Shoot
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - Meaningless, But Fun, Sentinel Poll Games: 83 Percent
Oppose CSX Deal
Posted: 11 Mar 2009 06:06 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/MEo7PuQFBZk/
Hee Hee. The Orlando Sentinels version of the Polk Pulse has produced more
than 12,000 online votes concerning the CSX deal/Sunrail plan.
As of this writing, 83 percent oppose. Unscientific? Absolutely.
Manipulated by opponents? Perhaps, though supporters could manipulate it
just as easily. Amusing? Yes.
More interestingly, and predictably, the entire Sentinel has managed to
ignore the St. Pete Times story on Rep. Steve Precourts big money made off
the commuter rail portion of the deal. (Ive google and site searched for
Precourt references. If Ive missed one, let me know and Ill correct.)
Now, I dont have any great beef with how the Sentinels news operation has
handled coverage of the overall deal. News is always written from the
geographical point-of-view of the writer, and considering the pressure they
must be under from Fred Leonhardt and the Orlando cabal, I think Dan Tracy,
Jay Hamburg, and the Tally folks have provided reasonably fair reporting.
But does anybody think that if Paula Dockery somehow had a $1.7 million
personal tie to this deal, the Sentinel news operation wouldnt report it in
great detail and that the thoroughly corrupt Sentinel editorial page
wouldnt be hammering it every second of every day? You think Mike Thomas
would manage to miss that? It really is striking how the papers
institutional support of the CSX deal distorts the intellectual honesty of
its opinion content. For instance, Scott Maxwell, who has not been one of
the nasty cheerleaders, still couldnt bring himself to say the words
SunRail or CSX in his much-deserved crackback on Mica about trumpeting the
stimulus money after voting against it. He just linked to Micas press
release on the extended entry. Thats quite a contortion.
Come on guys, suck it up and show a little professional honor.
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as Meaningless, But Fun, Sentinel Poll Games: 83
Percent Oppose CSX Deal
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - Yankees @ Tigers Today, Dont Expect Jeter
Posted: 11 Mar 2009 05:05 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/Rbift7Yn1-U/
The Tigers host the Yankees today at 1:05 at Joker Merchant. Our tips? Get
there early. Parking will fill up fast. Which, by the way, is now $7. If
you can, park at Christ Lutheran Church at the corner of Lakeland Hills
Blvd and Grenada St.. Its cheaper, but fills up fast. Dont expect to see
all the Yankees stars. The World Baseball Classic and, uhhh, injuries, are
keeping out Jeter and A-Rod. The Spring Training hat isnt too bad this
year, but they need to drop prices about $5. Eat before the game. A hot
dog is $4. Save your money for a beer. Designate a driver. Take your
camera.
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as Yankees @ Tigers Today, Don’t Expect Jeter
Lakeland Local
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - First Torture, Now Mountain Dew Bombs: "24 Rocks
Posted: 10 Mar 2009 02:16 PM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/R0QLFehcM9k/
From ABC 28 News: LAKELAND, FL The attorney for one of the suspects in
Mondays bomb scare says his client and two others were actually making a
commercial for Mountain Dew.
Kenneth McCollom says the suspects are three drama students who were
shooting a commercial for a contest sponsored by the soft drink maker
called “24 Seconds to Save the World.
Just when we get past the cheerleader beatdowns, the netherworld reels us
back in, courtesy of a couple of would-be Michael Bays. (Honestly, what a
thing to would-be.) This will not help combat the old Polk is a nuthouse
meme. Sigh.
Heres the contest in question. The winner gets his or her commercial played
on the 24 season finale. You too can blow up/maim swarthy terrorist types
for entertainment.
On a serious note, I do hope cooler heads prevail here. Dangerous and
stupid yes, but there appears to be little intent to harm. Our jails
already cost too much and house too many people for these guys to face
conviction on second degree felonies.
H/T Matt Wengerd, or somebody in the Twitscape I thought was Matt Wengerd.
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as First Torture, Now Mountain Dew Bombs: “24″ Rocks
///////////////////////////////////////////
LakelandLocal.com - A "Real Live Pink Bat" Gets A Shot
Posted: 10 Mar 2009 06:33 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/M6y12h7Wod8/
Yesterday, Norine Rathbone had her wish. She tried out for the Detroit
Tigers with a couple of hundred men, and no one treated her like a lady.
“It was so much better than I expected. They were ballplayers who treated
me as another ballplayer,” Rathbone said after the full day tryouts at
Joker Merchant Stadium.
Rathbones story was featured yesterday on Lakeland Local. She plays
baseball in a mens league in Las Vegas. Rathbones also a 51year-old breast
cancer survivor who is determined to swing “the pink bat” someday at the
major league level. Yesterday, the Detroit Tigers organization gave her a
chance to show her stuff.
Rathbone said she was nervous as the approximately 250 tryouts shuffled
into Joker Merchant. She was especially afraid theyd see her gender alone.
It didnt take long for her to learn how the Tigers staff saw her. Rathbone
said Dan Lunetta, Director, Minor League Operations for the Tigers, came
right up to her and said he knew who she was, what she did, and that he was
honored she was there with the Tigers.
Rathbone said Glenn Ezell, the director of player development for the
Tigers, also gave her a one-on-one chat. “He asked if I was ready to play.
I grabbed my uniform and told him This is my business suit. I came to do
business,” she remembered.
Rathbone said the day was a dream as she spent the hours working on
fielding and batting drills with five other first basemen. She quickly
bonded with the other tryouts, “Nobody looked at me as a woman. They looked
at me as a ball player and breast cancer survivor.” She said she was proud
of how she played the field with the much younger men. She thought the
first basemen covered their position better than any other infielders. “We
smoked em,” she laughed.
Not that the day was without any bumps. Rathbone didnt feel she hit as well
as shed hoped, “I hit some grounders to right field, but not really hard.”
Still, she said Ezell told her she did well. “I started to say I was proud
how I did considering my age and gender and he stopped me. He told me to
throw those aside. That they had nothing to do with the fact I did well as
a batter.”
Rathbone and her husband are flying back to Las Vegas today. She hopes that
her excitement will abate so she can finally get some deep sleep. She said
her day on the major league tryout field was “worth the 48 years” playing
baseball everywhere she could, “Today, I changed some hearts. They threw
out the gender and the age and they saw a ballplayer.”
Post from: Lakeland Local
Originally Published as A “Real Live Pink Bat” Gets A Shot
