{"id":14461,"date":"2025-10-21T20:06:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T20:06:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/14461\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T20:06:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T20:06:09","slug":"after-years-of-stalled-construction-clean-up-underway-at-failed-washington-square-site","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/14461\/","title":{"rendered":"After years of stalled construction, clean-up underway at failed Washington Square site"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, real action is occurring at Washington Square, an eyesore just behind the Leon County Courthouse<\/a> that is a few blocks from Florida\u2019s Capitol Building.<\/p>\n

The project stalled for a number of reasons, and the City of Tallahassee is seeking to foreclose for unpaid fines. In the meantime, the developer, Fairmont Development, agreed to restore the \u201cright of way\u201d and sidewalks around the project.<\/p>\n

However, Leon County Commissioner David O\u2019Keefe said the developer failed to perform the work within the agreed-upon 60 days. So, the county leaned on an insurance company that backed the project, and clean-up is now underway.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the developer said, \u2018we are going to fix it by September,\u2019 we didn\u2019t just go on their word,\u201d O\u2019Keefe said. \u201cWe forced them to get a bond from a current insurance company that is payable to us if it doesn\u2019t finish.\u201d<\/p>\n

More Tallahassee news:<\/p>\n

When the project first started, Tallahassee\u2019s local governments didn\u2019t require that type of bond, O\u2019Keefe said. So, when the project languished and became a hazard, there was little they could do to fix things.<\/p>\n

Now, O\u2019Keefe said a performance bond is standard in the county\u2019s development contracts. He expects the two county streets to be restored by the end of November. Two other streets on the block are owned by the City of Tallahassee, who will also be responsible for restoring the sidewalks.<\/p>\n

Fred Conrad, a Tallahassee-based attorney who frequents the courthouse, said the project has been an eyesore for far too long. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe monstrosity behind us, which was supposed to be a hotel, has been nothing but a junkyard next to the courthouse,\u201d Conrad said. \u201cI wish they would do something about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The developer has moved to dismiss the city\u2019s foreclosure, and Ken McDermott, the project\u2019s lead, previously said<\/a> he does want to finish the project even after it\u2019s been stalled for all this time. He told us the project might be scaled down, though he\u2019s also told local government officials that he was looking for new investors.<\/p>\n

The City of Tallahassee filed for foreclosure in May<\/a>, hoping to stop what has become an eyesore in the heart of downtown.<\/p>\n

In June, the developer said it planned to restart the project<\/a>, despite the foreclosure lawsuit, rising fines and pressure from city commissioners.<\/p>\n

Back in 2019, the developers sued the city over an easement<\/a>, claiming they were unable to continue construction because of not being able to access part of a garage.<\/p>\n

That whole time, little happened at the site, leaving exposed rebar and concrete in clear view of the county\u2019s government, judiciary and other constitutional offices.<\/p>\n

\"CrewsCrews began removing fencing and walls at the Washington Square construction site Monday night.(WCTV)<\/p>\n

Crews began removing fencing and walls at the Washington Square construction site Monday night.<\/p>\n

The closure is set to impact the following streets through Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:<\/p>\n

South Calhoun Street from East College Avenue to East Jefferson StreetSouth Gadsden Street from East Jefferson Street to East College AvenueEast Jefferson Street from South Calhoun Street to South Gadsden Street<\/p>\n

Following those road closures, milling and resurfacing work will result in lane closures from Thursday, Oct. 23, through late November from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly, per the county officials.<\/p>\n

The westbound lane of East Jefferson Street from South Calhoun Street to South Gadsden StreetThe westmost lane of South Gadsden Street from East Pensacola Street to south of East College AvenueThe eastmost lane of South Calhoun Street, north of East College Avenue to East Jefferson Street. The closure includes parallel parking spaces just north of East College Avenue, according to the press release.<\/p>\n

For more information on road closures, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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