LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — Among Lakeland’s most iconic structures, the Frances Langford Promenade at Lake Mirror stands out as a defining feature of the city.
A study, costing $80,000, has been commissioned to identify the causes behind water seepage and the formation of cracks on the promenade.
The city’s grant proposal highlights, “The Promenade is Lakeland’s most significant and recognizable landmark, having represented the image of this city for nearly a century.”
Dating back to the 1920s, the Frances Langford Promenade and The Loggia were designed during the era of the “City Beautiful Movement,” becoming integral to Lakeland’s heritage.
“For almost 100 years, the Lake Mirror Promenade has served as a prominent symbol of Lakeland,” remarked Melissa Stoller, the city’s grant writer. “Naturally, historic landmarks begin to show signs of wear with age.”
Stoller explained slowly, over decades, the elements have taken a toll on the structure of the promenade.
It flooded after Hurricane Milton, which Stoller said exacerbated existing problems.
“It’s something that happens slowly over time, where you begin to see cracks and you begin to see exposed rebar where the weather just takes its toll on the masonry over time. It’s just a natural process,” said Stoller.
Stoller worked on an application for funds to study the cause and extent of the damage.
The city secured an $80,000 grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund for a three-phase study.
“It will utilize ground penetrating radar so we can get a better idea of what’s actually happening under the surface,” said Stoller.
The work for the study will take 120 days.
It is unknown when it will begin.
“Lake Mirror is my favorite lake in Lakeland. It’s gorgeous,” said Cathleen Nelson, who lives in Lakeland. “The promenade’s beautiful.”
Nelson has memories of Lake Mirror as a child, involving a one-eyed alligator named Blinky who lived in the water.
She calls the promenade a landmark feature of Lakeland.
“There’s such incredible history in the building of that promenade and so much pride in having it here in Lakeland that I think we’ll definitely make sure it stays,” said Nelson.