Stormwater was another key issue that needed to be addressed for this redevelopment effort to be a success.  As much of this area in Plant City is within the one hundred year floodplain, significant flooding issues have arisen from time to time in Lincoln Park.  The City developed a collection and retention system designed to not only control stormwater runoff, but also to serve as a recreational amenity for the neighborhood.  This project cost of approximately $3,000,000 and was funded through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program, the City of Plant City Community Redevelopment Trust Fund, and the City of Plant City Water & Sewer Fund.  By designing the facility to be used as more than just a stormwater control facility, the neighborhood gained a beautiful lake park dedicated to longtime civic and community activist Samuel W. Cooper on October 18th 2005.  The City has also made significant recreational improvements to Marie B. Ellis Park, another nearby recreation site.

To increase homeownership opportunities for families and individuals whose total household income is less than 80% of the median income of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan statistical area (MSA), the City acquired several properties in the Laura Street Restoration Overlay District to resell to qualified persons for the construction of affordable housing.  City staff worked with Hillsborough County's Affordable Housing Services and Plant City Community Development Corporation to develop affordable homes using a mutual self-help housing concept.  As partners in this endeavor, Hillsborough County's Affordable Housing Services provided homeownership training and gap financing; while the Plant City Community Development Corporation located and qualified buyers, secured primary financing, coordinated homebuyer participation in the self-help process, and oversaw the home construction.