City News Blog: Upcoming Public Information Meeting For Lake Bonnet Drainage Basin Hazard Mitigation Project

City News Blog: Upcoming Public Information Meeting For Lake Bonnet Drainage Basin Hazard Mitigation Project

LAKELAND, FL (November 7, 2025) | The City of Lakeland will hold a Public Information Meeting for the Lake Bonnet Drainage Basin Hazard Mitigation Project on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to present updated information about the project. The purpose of the project is to restore the wetlands around the project corridor, remove excess sediments that have accumulated in the lake, and improve the conveyance system in the Lake Bonnet Drainage Basin. This will prevent the risk of future flooding in the May Manor Mobile Home Park and surrounding areas. The project also seeks to enhance the overall well-being of the community and the natural environment of the area. The City of Lakeland was awarded a $42.9 million grant from the Florida Department of Commerce (DOC). The grant is facilitated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) initiative, as part of the Rebuild Florida Mitigation General Infrastructure Program. Grants were awarded to complete large-scale infrastructure projects to mitigate and harden against natural disaster risks, including severe flooding and hurricanes, targeting HUD and state-designated impacted and distressed areas.

To allow for maximum participation, the public information meeting will be held in two formats, including both an in-person location and a live online session.

Following the Public Information Meeting, comments may be submitted by mail to Project Manager Laurie Smith, CPM, CFM, Lakes and Stormwater Manager, City of Lakeland, Public

Works, 407 Fairway Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33801; by email to [email protected]; and by telephone to (863) 834-6276; or to Public Information Officer Amparo Vargas, by telephone to (863) 410-0727; and by email to [email protected].

For more information, please visit the project website at LakelandGov.net/LkBonnetDrainageProject. Comments received or postmarked no later than Monday, December 15, 2025, will be included in the official meeting record. Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other federal and state authorities, the City of Lakeland will not exclude participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to discrimination anyone on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, income, or family status. Any person who believes that they have been subjected to discrimination based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, income, or family status in any of the City of Lakeland's programs, services, or activities may file a complaint with the City of Lakeland's Title VI/Nondiscrimination Coordinator:

Ashley Stathatos, Assistant City Manager and Title VI/Nondiscrimination Coordinator
228 South Massachusetts Avenue

Lakeland, Florida 33801

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (863) 834-6237

Fax: (863) 834-8402

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in this meeting, or those requiring language assistance (free of charge) should contact the City of Lakeland ADA Specialist, Kristin Meador, no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting by telephone to (863) 834- 8444; or by email to [email protected]. If hearing impaired, please contact the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) numbers: Local - (863) 834-8333; or toll-free 1-800-955-8771; or the Florida Relay Service Number 1-800-955-8770 (VOICE), for assistance.

Media inquiries should be directed to Jamin Smith with the City of Lakeland Communications Department at [email protected] or by phone at (863) 834-6394.

Contacts

Jamin Smith
Digital Content Creator

City of [email protected]

About Lakeland

The City of Lakeland was incorporated in January 1885 and has grown to become one of the largest inland communities in Florida. With a current population fast approaching 130,000 Lakeland continues to grow. It has been designated a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area by the US Census Bureau for over 30 years. With tourist attractions and gulf beaches only an hour away, Lakeland continues to capitalize on its ideal central Florida location along the I-4 corridor. The City owns and operates Lakeland Electric, the third largest publicly owned utility in Florida and it was one of the first to offer power in the Sunshine State in 1889.

For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please visit https://www.lakelandgov.net. Citizens are also invited to follow the City on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo, Snapchat and Nextdoor. Citizens can find the City of Lakeland on these social media platforms by searching lakelandgov.

For additional information about the City of Lakeland, please explore LakelandGov.net.
Citizens are also invited to follow the City on social media.

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