The Tax Collector of Polk County - Lakeland Service Center is the largest of several service centers developed for tax collectors across Central Florida. The project began with a feasibility study that evaluated various locations throughout Lakeland, focusing on accessibility, facility capacity, and overall development potential. The selected site—an existing building within the City’s Redevelopment District—was originally constructed in 1953 as a Publix Supermarket and later used as a car dealership, offering a strong foundation for adaptive reuse.

The facility was transformed into a modern, high-capacity service center while preserving and enhancing its historical character. The design carefully integrated new architectural and interior elements to support daily operations and improve user experience. The renovation reactivated the building’s presence in the community, blending contemporary function with a sense of place and history.

The reimagined facility features a “dual lobby and clerk area” layout that optimizes workflow and accommodates an average of 1,200 visitors daily. Additional features include a commissioner meeting room, a flexible indoor/outdoor staff break area, rainwater harvesting cisterns, and a restored Art Deco façade and interior elements that honor the building’s original character. Recognized for its success, the project received the Outstanding Rehabilitation Project award from the Florida Redevelopment Association, along with honors from the Lakeland Historic Preservation Board and Historic Lakeland, Inc.