TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The Tallahassee community weighed in on the future of the old Wahnish Cigar Factory during a Tallahassee Development Review Committee meeting on Monday.
The 120-year-old brick building is facing demolition to make way for apartments, despite its historic status.
The developer argued before the local Historical Preservation Board that the current building couldn’t work with its plans.
News of the potential demolition sparked pushback from local historians.
Community members shared varying thoughts on the project at Monday’s meeting.
“FAMU needs housing, FSU needs housing, let’s think twice about this,” one attendee said.
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Another suggested providing a community space rather than more student housing.
“But for the character of Tallahassee, which is very important to those of us who are going to stay here, we recommend they maintain that building,” another said.
The board decided to delay it’s vote regarding the developer’s request for a setback deviation.
There will be at least one more meeting of the Architectural Review Board about this project where the developer will need to present plans to commemorate the building in some way.
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