TPD headquarters update, new bar opens downtown, shopping center planned for Capital Circle NE
City Commission Narrows TPD Headquarters Search
With the advent of the last City Commission meeting, staff was directed to move forward with an analysis of possible sites for a new TPD headquarters. The process has come a long way from the original plan under the old Commission to acquire and demolish the Towne South shopping center for the new headquarters. Only two locations were chosen to be included in the study: the former site of the water reclamation facility on Lake Bradfoard Rd, and the recently acquired Northwood Mall. It's been generally understood that at the very least, Northwood Mall was acquired with its potential as a site in mind. That said, neighborhood leaders have begun voicing their preferences about which location ought to be chosen.
The expected price tag for the development of a new headquarters for TPD is estimated to be somewhere around $53 million and would take around two and a half years before the facility would be move-in ready. The City allocated $6.5 million toward the project in FY2019 which was initially intended for the acquisition of land; that money will likely now be used to cover costs associated with construction management at risk and building design services. Additional funding for the new headquarters is expected to be provided via bond financing.
New CCNE Shopping Center: Capital Hill Plaza
This large development just recently popped up on the radar. Capital Hill Plaza is a commercial plaza set to be built on Capital Circle NE, just off of Centerville Rd. The local developer, Premier Construction & Development, will be working with 8.83 acres of space for the project. The site plan details a variety of components such as, a restaurant, an abundance of space for retail/office use, and a self-storage facility. Most notably, the plans include a 30,000 sqft structure to be utilized as a furniture store.
Rootstock Pours + Plates Opens Downtown
A welcome addition to our Downtown has opened its doors. The owners of Andrew's Downtown have converted their lower floor into Rootstock. The establishment is tucked away from Adams Street and befittingly presents itself as a cozy, upscale gastropub. They offer a variety of seasonable small plates and place a focus on their curated wine selection.
No Lull in Development: Plans for Fifth Popeyes
Boos Development, a firm from Clearwater, is seeking to add improvements to the vacant lot at the Northeast corner of West Tennessee and Appleyard. The developer will build three structures on the parcel, two of which are already reserved for tenants, a Jiffy Lube and a Popeyes. If having five Popeyes isn't economic vitality, I don't know what is.
Piney-Z Affordable Housing Application
Panama-city based Royal American Development, Inc. has drafted a pre-submittal for a new affordable housing apartment complex at the corner of Apalachee Pkwy and Conner Blvd. The developer hopes to construct a 102-unit with a makeup of two, three, and four-bedroom units. In order to ensure the viability of the project, Royal American plans to apply for financial assistance through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
Do you have a new development tip? Hit me up, I'm always on the lookout.