Update on Cascades, El Cocinero moving to Midtown, environmental variance request denied
Environmental Board Denies Variance Request
This week, for the first time in the city’s history, citizens piled into a meeting of the City of Tallahassee Environmental Board to speak on an agenda item. They asked that the Board deny an environmental variance being sought for a planned residential development, Buckingham Gates.
The sought after variance would allow the project’s construction to overlap a small portion of a protected wetland situated behind Bada Bean on Apalachee Pkwy. After several hours of public input, the Board summarily denied the variance request with a unanimous 4-0 vote. It is unknown how this will affect the progress of the development of the project which is currently imagined as a residential neighborhood comprised of 33 single-family homes.
Cascades Project Phase Two Updates
North American Properties is moving forward with the permitting process for the second phase of its signature Cascades development. Phase two construction will encompass three different residential components, as well as a portion of the project's planned commercial space. The NAP plans show a row of three story single-family townhomes along Gaines Street next to the historic WPA building, totaling 9 units. The plans also detail two of the future multifamily structures, one 6-story building and one 11-story. Combined, they bring a total of 124 units and 7,250sqft of retail space.
El Cocinero Relocating to Midtown
Seven Hills Hospitality is planning to move their popular taco and tequila concept into the heart of Midtown. El Cocinero will relocate from its current building on West Tennessee St to 1303 Thomasville Rd. They plan to renovate the single-story brick building once owned and used by Tallahassee Memorial. The brand refresh will be in good company with future development plans next door.
Midtown Pointe Concept Shifts North
For the last several years, MRI Construction and Development has been working on plans for a large flatiron building at the intersection of Monroe and Thomasville. With their most recent site plan, it seems that their plans are changing. They now intend to build a five story mixed-use development at the intersection of 7th Ave and Thomasville Rd at the current location of the vacant gas station. Along with the new retail, office spaces, and residential units, MRI is planning to construct a parking garage adjoined to the building.
City to Purchase Rose Printing Building
At the November 13th commission meeting, Commissioners voted unanimously to proceed with a purchase of the Rose Printing property on Jackson Bluff. The 7.41 acre parcel is situated across from the Jackson Bluff Municipal Complex, which houses a bulk of the city's Underground Utilities & Public Infrastructure staff. With the purchase, the City gains a 117,000 sqft industrial/office building that will allow for specific departments to be housed within one municipal campus. The city is expected to purchase the property at a pricetag of $1.3 million plus closing costs.
Second Blue Water Car Wash set to Open
Long a vacant eyesore, the Southeast corner at the intersection of West Tennessee and Ocala is slated for changes. Blue Water Car Wash, a chain of express car washes with locations across Florida, is planning to open its second location at the site. The development will entail the demolition of the existing structures and the construction of a new carwash building and two stand-alone covered vacuum areas.