TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Pedestrians in downtown Tallahassee could do something on Monday for the first time since the pandemic — use the sidewalk on Calhoun Street.
The sidewalk closest to the main parking garage for the Leon County Courthouse was cleared after a developer is close to finishing right-of-way and sidewalk improvements around the failed Washington Square.
Leon County Vice Chair David O’Keefe said the county and city had to pressure the developer to get this far.
“I’m glad to see our streets restored to safety and taking the first step to force the issue to hold the developer accountable. You don’t just get to come in here and ruin part of our downtown and then walk away,” O’Keefe said.
A view of the failed Washington Square development near the Leon County Courthouse. (WCTV)
After the project stalled before the pandemic and sat vacant since, O’Keefe said the county required a performance bond.
That meant once peripheral improvements weren’t finished, an insurance company had to pay up or force the developer to fix the sidewalks and streets. O’Keefe said the insurance company did lean on the developer, which is finally nearing completion.
“I mean, and we’re in the capital city. You’re a stone’s throw from the state capital and we want to recruit businesses and people and show everyone who visits what kind of community we are, and this just doesn’t represent it,” O’Keefe said.
A Leon County spokesperson said all lanes of traffic on Gadsden Street are now open, though some cones still need to be removed.
On Calhoun Street, folks were seen strolling on the new sidewalk. The county spokesperson said all driving lanes are open on Calhoun Street, though formal striping of the parking spaces will come in mid-January.
While the improvements were supposed to be done within 3 to 4 months, O’Keefe said, he’s glad there’s at least a sidewalk to prevent jaywalking and lush new grass.
Tallahassee Attorney Don Pumphrey said he’s happy to see the improvements, which he said lessen the eyesore. When the project was first announced, he was excited for a 19-story hotel, restaurant and conference center. It would’ve been a crown jewel next to the courthouse, Pumphrey said.
Still, he added that the sidewalk is safer for the disabled who will be able to cross at a crosswalk closer to an accessible entrance.
“I’m proud of the city that I was born in and that I grew up in. And I’ll continue to be proud if they’ll fix that thing and do the beautification that they’ve done here and just carry it on somehow, some way,” Pumphrey said.
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Pumphrey said drivers often speed on Calhoun Street because it’s a one-way, so the new improvements will create a safer environment.
What comes next for the failed development remains unknown. This year’s improvements are only about the sidewalks and right of way.
The City of Tallahassee is moving to foreclose on the property over unpaid fines, though the developer has moved to dismiss the suit.
O’Keefe said that while it’s in the city’s jurisdiction, they may have to provide a tax incentive after a foreclosure sale so that a new developer would raze the rusting rebar and crumbling concrete and start anew.
While the physical building and sidewalks are under the city’s jurisdiction, Leon County also jump-started the pressure campaign by demanding its two roadways around the project be restored.
The sidewalk near Jefferson Street closest to the failed project remains closed, though a city spokesperson said it will reopen in early January.
“And we’ve had some extra hotels down near Cascades Park, which is beautiful and great addition. Why not complement it with another hotel of some sort here, along with business offices, things of that nature,” Pumphrey said.
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