Lakeland Regional Health (LRH) opened a new Freestanding Emergency Department (FSED), and VHB Gulf Coast played a pivotal role in the project’s development. Located at 6150 South Florida Avenue, the 3.43-acre facility will address South Lakeland's growing healthcare demands. VHB Gulf Coast’s integrated approach via civil and land development, landscape architecture, and transportation engineering, was instrumental in transforming the healthcare facility into a reality.
Once a BB&T Bank property, VHB helped LRH enhance the strategic FSED site which has direct access to County Road 540A and South Florida Avenue, improving mobility, preserving tree canopy, and optimizing emergency access. Our traffic engineers analyzed and implemented solutions to prevent congestion via advanced signal systems.
“The success of this project lies in collaborative effort,” says Cameron Langermann, VHB Director of Land Development. “We partnered closely with LRH, multiple municipalities, and other stakeholders to explore a variety of site layouts, which helped us implement solutions that enhance accessibility, traffic flow, and sustainability.”
VHB civil engineers developed comprehensive site plans that include grading and drainage solutions, maximizing land use efficiency and regulatory compliance. Landscape designers created a welcoming and calming environment with strategically placed green spaces, enhancing wayfinding and complementing the facility's modern architecture.
The new FSED will feature 17 beds and three triage rooms, all designed to deliver emergency care close to home. As Polk County's population rises, this facility represents an important step in addressing renewed healthcare needs. Data highlights the need for expanding access to emergency care in Polk County. In 2023, Lakeland Regional Medical Center announced it had the second busiest Emergency Department in the U.S., with an average of 550 patients each day.
Learn more about how VHB is enhancing the healing environment in healthcare facilities.
