The projected $11 million effort would create 824 new parking spots downtown. Of those, 399 would be city-owned. The plan is not only to increase parking, but to encourage future development downtown.

LAKELAND — Three of the seven city commissioners were absent from Friday's agenda review workshop, but the ones who were gave little objection to moving forward with the six-floor Heritage Plaza parking project.

The projected $11 million effort would create 824 new parking spots downtown. Of those, 399 would be city-owned. The plan is not only to increase parking, but to encourage future development downtown.

“As we seen when we were visiting Greenville, parking garages are a huge driver in making all of this possible,” Mayor Bill Mutz said, referencing a trip city leaders made to South Carolina to meet with Greenville officials and explore its downtown. “This is a great first step.”

The city's portion of the project would cost an estimated $6.2 million, which may involve some internal borrowing. Other partners include developer BKP Five, MidFlorida Credit Union and Lakeland Regional Health Systems. MidFlorida will have 175 spots while BPK Five and Lakeland Regional Health Systems each have 125.

Although all city funding for the project comes from the public improvement fund, the project is technically a Community Redevelopment Agency project because there is private benefit. The project, city officials said, follows CRA guidelines and is in a CRA district.

“Doing it through the CRA is not a sleight of hand,” City Attorney Tim McCausland said. “It's completely legal. Our bond council will confirm that.”

Each of the involved entities will have to submit their portion of the costs into escrow before the project moves forward. Wesley Beck, president of Aspyre Properties and representative for BPK Five, said once that happens, construction will likely be completed in about a year.

“The city would start working on things like electric, water, wastewater,” City Manager Tony Delgado said. “The hope is that this project would be expedited.”

Delgado confirmed that some spaces will be set aside for the public during the day. Since multiple entities are involved, it will be managed as a condominium association, officials said. McCausland said major decisions will be made by a board of directors and fundamental issues such as bylaws will require a supermajority — or 75 percent approval from the board.

“We probably haven't done a project of this magnitude in a generation,” Delgado said. “We hope developers look at this and what can be done (downtown).”

Beck confirmed that BKP Five intends to build a three-story office building in the immediate area if the measure passes, previously telling The Ledger that it would face Orange Street. Beck said it would be the first office building constructed downtown in more than 15 years (The Heritage Plaza office building was completed in 2001). Commissioners Stephanie Madden and Bill Read each said they were excited about the prospect of seeing tall buildings built again in Lakeland's downtown.

“Everything north of Lime Street downtown is an opportunity zone,” Beck said. “The governor and the federal government have said this is a blighted area. While we don't think our downtown is underserved, the U.S. Census says that.”

Commissioners Justin Troller, Phillip Walker and Don Selvage were absent Friday. Commissioners are set to vote on the item during Monday's regular meeting at 3 p.m., 228 S. Massachusetts Ave.

Mike Ferguson can be reached at Mike.Ferguson@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.