Historic Districts Resurvey Phase 3

The City of Lakeland (“City”) is soliciting competitive proposals from qualified consultants to conduct a historic resources survey to update the inventory of historic structures within the Beacon Hill, Biltmore-Cumberland, and Lake Hunter Terrace Historic Districts. This is the final phase of a three-phase project that will resurvey all seven historic districts in Lakeland.

The selected Cultural Resource Management consultant (“Consultant”) will conduct a historic resources survey to update the inventory of historic structures within the Beacon Hill, Biltmore-Cumberland, and Lake Hunter Terrace Historic Districts (“Districts”), in accordance with Chapter 1A-46 (Archaeological and Historical Report Standards) of the Florida Administrative Code. The Consultant will also be responsible for completion of Florida Master Site File (FMSF) forms and accompanying maps and photographs for all qualifying structures fifty (50) years old or older, and a final survey report with recommendations both general and for amending the National Register of Historic Places nomination/listing for the Districts.

Approximately 557 buildings/sites were previously recorded in the Districts, which will need to be reassessed, and an estimated 138 buildings built in 1976 or prior will need to be assessed for the first time as part of the historic resource survey. Properties immediately adjacent outside of the boundaries of each District will also be evaluated and recorded if warranted. The Consultant will need to perform a current GIS data analysis with field inspection to determine the final counts of resources that will need to be updated or recorded and complete a minimum of 500 of the requisite Florida Master Site File Forms. During the consultant’s analysis, resources with the potential of historic significance will be identified including local landmarks and landscape features.

The Consultant will meet the National Park Service’s Professional Qualification Standards. Deliverables will conform to the requirements of 1A-46, Florida Administrative Code and include GIS data sets and maps to support the survey report and Florida Master Site File documentation. As this project is sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources through a Small Matching Grant, the project will be administered in conformance with the grant award agreement between the City of Lakeland and the Florida Department of State to include survey specifications, submission dates and format of deliverables, allowable expenditures, and requirements to submit timely grant progress reports.

The City of Lakeland is a recipient of a Small Matching Grant from the State of Florida, Division of Historical Resources, to resurvey structures fifty (50) years old or older in the Beacon Hill, Biltmore-Cumberland, and Lake Hunter Terrace Historic Districts (“Districts”). The Beacon Hill Historic District was initially surveyed in 1991, Biltmore-Cumberland Historic District in 2004, and Lake Hunter Terrace Historic District in 2000. These districts were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993 ( https://catalog.archives.gov/id/77843770 ), 2004 ( https://catalog.archives.gov/id/77843802 ), and 2002 ( https://catalog.archives.gov/id/77843800 ), respectively, and locally designated by City ordinance in 1994, 2004, and 2002, respectively. The Districts are not geographically contiguous and have fixed boundaries. (see interactive map here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/80b059be845749cb99d61fa8ebe9466b/page/Page )

Buildings in these Districts have development characteristics typical of first-generation residential subdivisions in Lakeland with some later residential infill, which should be considered in this survey report. There also exists small concentrations of commercial development along collector roadways, which generally serve residences included in the survey area, as well as greater Lakeland. Architectural styles within the districts include, but are not limited to, frame and masonry vernacular, Craftsman Bungalow, Mediterranean Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, Colonial Revival, Tudor, Queen Anne, Neoclassical, and post-WWII residences with some Mid-Century Modern buildings.

The intent of this project is to reassess buildings considered contributing and noncontributing to the Districts at the time of the original surveys (1991, 2004, and 2000, respectively) due to their age, integrity, and condition. Since the original surveys were completed, some contributing buildings have undergone insensitive alteration and may no longer be of contributing status. In addition, several contributing buildings have been demolished due to either deferred maintenance, redevelopment, or from fire or storm damage. Additionally, many non-contributing buildings have reached fifty years of age or older, were restored after the original survey, or have been relocated to the district from other places, and should be assessed for historic and architectural significance.

Identifying and designating historically significant properties within Lakeland is an important component of City’s Community & Economic Development Department and Historic Preservation Board. This work will further the City’s comprehensive planning efforts to ensure these properties are identified and protected. Without an understanding and appreciation for historic resources, the City of Lakeland would lose an integral aspect of its identity.