TLH Development Newsletter: 12/15/2018
FDOT Vacating Offices at the Koger Center
The Florida Department of Transportation will take leave from its current location at the Koger Center on Apalachee Parkway. This move reinforces the trend of state offices moving toward the fringes of the City of Tallahassee. Several FDOT offices will move into a new facility, Russell Office Park, which is being constructed at Blairstone and Orange.
The continued drain of public sector jobs from the urban core, the traditional seat of local and state government, should be viewed cautiously by Tallahassee. I've
in the past. Others,
including local lobbyist Paul Bradshaw
, have raised similar concerns. Talk of renewed opportunity for aging state buildings falls flat in the face of a surplus of existing vacant surface lots and underutilized structures prime for redevelopment. With a new sitting City Commission and incoming Governor-elect, one can only hope that the future direction of the state's asset management works for the benefit of Florida, and for TLH.
Luxury Condominiums Slated for Franklin Blvd
Developers have already cleared away the former structures at Franklin Court in expectation for a signature project just north of Cascades. Site owners, FLKM of Florida LLC, plan to construct 12 detached single family homes which will be sold as condo units. Ingress/egress will be provided by a shared cul-de-sac driveway.
New Dispensary to Open Near Campus
Until now, the proliferation of medical marijuana dispensaries across Florida has hardly touched Tallahassee's urban core. This is set to change as medical marijuana provider GrowHealthy hopes to hash out plans for a new dispensary location just West of Campus. They plan to redevelop the Magic and Fun Costume Shop building on West Tennessee Street and add additional paved parking and stormwater retention.
Permits Secured for Old Wahnish Cigar Factory
Work on the old Wanish Cigar Factory at 469 St. Francis St should soon be ramping up. The historic building located in All Saints has been mentioned in records as early as 1905. Local couple Richard and Martha Barnett, who have owned the building for some 20 years are planning to preserve and restore the building for modern use.
More Affordable Housing on Blountstown Hwy
Westgate Community is planning an expansion of its transitional housing community off of Blountstown Hwy. Their site plan application states their intent to construct two 3-story apartment/dormitory style buildings containing 54 bedrooms each. Westgate provides a low-barrier housing program for those exiting or at risk of homelessness in TLH.
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