Polk State to begin interior construction on LAC over winter break

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

For the Spring 2026 Semester, portions of the Polk State College Lakeland Campus, including parking, will be fenced off as construction of the new bookstore gets underway.

Beginning winter break, fencing will be placed at the northwest part of the Lakeland Academic Center (LAC) Building near the Lakeland Collegiate High School office as well as the front portion of Parking Lot 2. Signage will be placed to redirect faculty, students and staff.

A temporary sidewalk will be located to the west of the construction area to provide easy access to other LAC entrances. Construction is expected to last through the Summer 2026 Semester.

The construction marks the start of Phase II, the interior portion, of a $12.2 million project. The project was made possible by Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) funding through the Florida Legislature. The legislature allocated $6.1 million during both the 2023 and 2025 sessions to enhance LAC. Phase I, which included a new roof, brick repairs, painting and exterior LED lighting, has been completed.