Washington Square paused, Hartsfield House saved, Tallahassee Classical School update
Washington Square on Pause, Differing Narratives
For a small city, Tallahassee always finds a way to spur big news. Washington square is a planned mixed-use development expected to be a landmark in the heart of our City. It will be topped off at 19 stories. Several weeks ago, there was hushed talk Downtown that construction had slowed to a standstill; shortly thereafter, everything seemed to fall apart. Leon County Court records show a rash of bad news for all parties involved. Two subcontractors who are no longer on the clock have filed hefty property liens against the developer, Fairmont. Separately, Fairmont has filed a lawsuit against the city of Tallahassee over an easement dispute.
It is unclear to both outside observers and those involved in the process what is playing out before us. Rumors have spiraled about the causes and the eventual fate of the project. Some insight can, however, be gleaned from Fairmont's initial complaint. Fairmont was granted a perpetual ingress/egress easement by the City. The boundaries of the easement contain two things: the ground, and a parking garage. Fairmont contends that their perpetual easement applies to the garage and the ground underneath it. The City disagrees, holding that the easement is solely for use of the garage, and is extinguished if the structure is demolished. Fairmont says that they will not be able to secure financing and, ultimately continue the project, unless they receive a judgement in their favor. That is the main issue that will be litigated unless the City and the developer are able to settle this matter amicably. Unfortunately, it's hard to say which outcome will have what effect. A solution to the dispute could allow construction to resume, if additional financing is truly contingent on the easement. But if the developer faces additional problems not yet public, an agreement may result in little progress. What can be said for certain, Tallahassee will be waiting urgently for an outcome to this process. An incomplete building sitting in our Downtown for years to come is unimaginable.
Hartsfield House Spared from Demolition
The developer behind the Cascades Garden project on South Monroe, Demirel International, went before the Architectural Review Board this last week seeking a certificate of appropriateness to demolish the historic building at 343 Oakland Ave. The Hartsfield House is recognized to have been constructed no later than 1928, making it one of the oldest homes in Myers Park, and in the City. Per the site plan, the house is in the far Northeast corner of the site and occupies space desired for a new single family home. The request to demolish the structure was summarily denied by the ARB.
Tallahassee Classical School Moving Forward
The much discussed charter school in the works, Tallahassee Classical School, is chugging along toward their goal of a finished campus ready to open for the 2020 school year. Last year, their application to operate was denied by the School Board, but that decision was reversed by the state of Florida. They have now applied for a $6.2 million building permit on a parcel abutting Blairstone, off of Capital Circle SE.
Osaka Moving to new Location
Osaka Japanese Hibachi will be vacating its current location as a result of plans to develop a Drury Inn & Suites in its place. They plan to move into a new building located at 1487 Maclay Commerce Drive upon the completion of its construction.
New Healthcare Clinic to Open on South Monroe
Neighborhood Medical, a 501c3 non-profit which has healthcare centers across Frenchtown and Southside, is planning to open a fourth clinic. The South Monroe location will continue Neighborhood Medical's mission to provide quality healthcare services, regardless of a patient's ability to pay. The clinic will be established in an existing vacant building, formerly occupied by Hancock Bank.
Do you have a new development tip? Hit me up, I'm always on the lookout.