TLH Development Newsletter: 06/01/2019
Historic Building Downtown being Reimagined
In reference to the building at 107 West College Ave, the late veteran journalist Gerald Ensley once stated, "Whatever happens, it's been a Tallahassee landmark." These words ring true today, especially as something starts to happen. 107 West College, or, "The Child Building" was constructed sometime around 1926 as a church building. It would later serve as a haven for local creatives, find use as business space, shelter a campaign headquarters, house retail, and so on.
In 2016, the property was acquired by local developers Mike Steiner and Matt McHaffie with the intent of breathing new life into the structure. In the years since, there has been continued talk of planned redevelopment and it seems the developers are finally moving forward with a redevelopment project. Architectural plans show the building being refaced with a more modern design, as well as modified with the construction of a second-floor. The site plans show that the intended use of the building will be office-space.
New Chick-fil-A Coming to Magnolia Drive
Chick-fil-Alikes us plenty. We have 8 locations currently, with a 9th locationproposed for West Tennessee Street, along with some preliminary (butcurrently dormant) discussions about a West Pensacola location. Thatbrings us to this project, a proposed 10th Chick-fil-A location on theNortheast corner of the intersection at Magnolia Drive and GovernorsSquare Blvd.
The structure is planned to be built in the Winn Dixie shopping center,and two concepts are currently being studied. The first concept, theimage on the left, is preferred by Chick-fil-A and is the layout morecommonly utilized in their locations. The second concept, seen on theright, is a more traditional urban layout with very little setback fromthe street and sidewalk. This design would facilitate additionalpedestrian connectivity and is the sort of building and site designgenerally preferred by the City. I'm all in for concept two.
Popular Louisiana-based Restaurant on the Way
Walk-On'sis a sports themed Bistreaux and Bar which hails from Louisiana andappropriately serves up Cajun cuisine. They currently have locations inthree states outside of their home base and are beginning theirexpansion intoto Florida. Apparently wherever they are, they're quitepopular. The plans call for the restaurant to open at 3390 CapitalCircle NE.
Women's Center to open by Planned Parenthood
Healthy Woman, a faith-based nonprofit women's clinic with an existing location at 2410 Mahan Dr has plans to open a location on West Tennessee St. Withfunding provided by Rick Kearney, the group has purchased a plot ofland with plans to construct a building for their services. In themeantime, a church-affiliated organization is donating a mobile medicalunit for use on the lot.
YouFit to open West Pensacola Location
YouFit, a gym and health club with two current locations in town have submitted plans to open a third in University Village at 2020 West Pensacola St. They plan to renovate an existing empty unit in the shopping center and open shop.
If you hadn't heard, I had a radio segment this weekend discussing growth and development in town. Check out Tallahassee Talks with Brien Sorne to take a listen. The segment starts about 20 minutes in.
Do you have a new development tip? Hit me up, I'm always on the lookout.