TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The only cigar factory building left standing in Tallahassee could be demolished to make way for an apartment building and parking garage, according to planning documents filed with the city.
That’s despite its status on the National Register of Historic Places, the Tallahassee- Leon County Local Historic Register, and the Florida Jewish Heritage Trail.
The Wahnish Cigar Factory building, located at 469 St Francis Street, sits vacant these days, its red brick covered in graffiti.
Photos from Florida Memory show workers rolling cigars inside its walls a century ago. Built by a Jewish immigrant and businessman, Alfred Wahnish, in 1907, the structure in the All Saints neighborhood has lived many lives, but now its days may be numbered.
Photos from Florida Memory show workers rolling cigars inside its walls a century ago.(Florida Memory)
A project description found on the City of Tallahassee’s website calls for a building with 73 apartments and an associated parking garage. The building would take up the block surrounded by All Saints Street, St Francis Street, South Macomb Street, and Saint Michael Street.
The developer, Tampa-based 908 Group, has not returned WCTV’s request for comment on the project.
So how does a property on the national and local historic register still face demolition?
The Tallahassee Trust for Historic Preservation Executive Director Shannon Kuch told WCTV this example is an important educational moment for those concerned about protecting historic structures.
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Kuch said earning a spot on the National Register of Historic Places is mostly “honorific” and would only come into play if federal dollars or programs were involved in the potential demolition.
However, she did say developers wishing to change or demolish buildings on the local register do have to jump through a few hoops to move forward.
Kuch said in this case, the developers approached the group’s Architectural Review Board months ago with an initial proposal aiming to keep at least part of the original building intact, but showed a report from a structural engineer that it wouldn’t be feasible.
The best the board can do is require the developers to do “historical commemorations” on the site. They’re now working on what that will look like, but it will most likely be a publicly-facing plaque or marker “focused on heritage tourism.”
Photos from Florida Memory show workers rolling cigars inside its walls a century ago.(Florida Memory)
Kuch pointed out that while the current cigar factory building remains vacant and rarely visited, the thousands of people who live in this new development and visitors from out of town may learn a bit about the building’s past with whatever commemoration is installed.
The developer will return to the ARB with those plans before they can move forward on the project, Kuch said.
At the same time, the developer is working with the local planning and zoning officials to gain approval from the city. The project is set to come up for discussion at the Aug. 10 Development Review Committee meeting, as 908 Group seeks an exception to decrease the new facility’s setback from Saint Francis Street.
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