“Everything but a lake.”

It’s true too, there isn’t one.

But according to City Administrator Eric Wood, it’s not really needed.

“I know it’s a cliche,” he said. “But everything you need is here. We have housing, retail, light industry, a movie theater and restaurants. You can live, work and eat. We have the new aquatic center to play in.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Lake City Administrator Eric Wood shows off the city’s new council chambers recently. The ground floor room allows much easier access to meetings than the previous second floor room.

“It’s a jewel,” he said.

Besides his position with the city, Wood is also a member of the Lake City Fire Department and serves with the Calhoun County EMS service.

He said the city enjoys a high rate of firefighters who work in town. This helps keep response times fast.

“Most of the public works guys are on the fire department,” he said. “We do a great job.”

He said that in the near future, several blocks of Center Street downtown will be redone.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Dr. Jeff Redenius adjusts Jessi Pitts’ upper back recently at his clinic in Lake City. In addition, Redenius also opened a gym that local residents are making use of to keep in shape.

“We’re very blessed to have the nice city square,” he said. “We want to keep it up.”

He also said they are focusing much of their future efforts on eliminating derelict properties.

“We’re going to fix them up or tear them down,” he said.

City Hall has also seen some renovations during the past year.

“We did a whole remodel of City Hall,” he said proudly.

Some of those renovations include a new city council meeting room on the ground floor; it was previously upstairs and could be difficult to access. The new chambers also features a mural by local artist Noah Blair.

“It’s a huge blessing for the city,” he said.

The police department was moved upstairs and there’s some new office space.

“We have permanent office space for the Lake City Betterment Association,” he said.

He said that he’s also looking forward to the benefits from a renovation project Stewart Memorial Hospital is doing.

“What’s good for the hospital is good for Lake City,” he said.

He’s also proud of what several businesses have done with their Brick and Mortar Loans that make funds from local option sales tax available as zero interest five year loans for business improvements.

He said that one of the best examples is what Lake City Food Center owner Eric Peterson has done.

“He’s done massive amounts of remodeling since he purchased the store five years ago,” Wood said. “He borrowed $10,000 and purchased new coolers. He paid his back in under six months.”

Wood is also proud of existing businesses. He said Macke Motors just celebrated 50 years in Lake City. Dobson Organ Company is prospering and active in the community and Sweet Things continues to be a popular daily gathering spot.

“It’s our local coffee shop,” he said. “Where everybody solves my problems.”

Yes. He’s joking.

Dr. Jeff Redenius opened his chiropractic clinic in Aug. 2016 and the fitness center next door in June 2016.

“It’s going really well,” he said. “The community as really responded well to the clinic and the community loves the fitness center. It’s being utilized by a lot of people.”

He said that prior to his opening the center, many local residents had not given much thought to an exercise program. He said having it available has filled a need that wasn’t being met before.

One of his favorite aspects of life in Lake City is the community’s self sufficiency.

“We don’t have to depend on another city,” he said. “We have a grocery store, a hardware store, the whole shebang, even a theater and lumber yard.

He doesn’t put too many miles on his vehicle traveling.

“I don’t leave unless I’m visiting in-laws,” he said.