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A view of the failed Washington Square development near the Leon County Courthouse. (WCTV)<\/p>\nTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Pedestrians in downtown Tallahassee could do something on Monday for the first time since the pandemic \u2014 use the sidewalk on Calhoun Street.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Leon County Vice Chair David O\u2019Keefe said the county and city had to pressure the developer to get this far. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad to see our streets restored to safety and taking the first step to force the issue to hold the developer accountable. You don\u2019t just get to come in here and ruin part of our downtown and then walk away,\u201d O\u2019Keefe said. <\/p>\n
A view of the failed Washington Square development near the Leon County Courthouse. (WCTV)<\/p>\n
After the project stalled before the pandemic and sat vacant since, O\u2019Keefe said the county required a performance bond.<\/p>\n
That meant once peripheral improvements weren\u2019t finished, an insurance company had to pay up or force the developer to fix the sidewalks and streets. O\u2019Keefe said the insurance company did lean on the developer, which is finally nearing completion.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, and we\u2019re in the capital city. You\u2019re a stone\u2019s 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\u2019t represent it,\u201d O\u2019Keefe said.<\/p>\n
A Leon County spokesperson said all lanes of traffic on Gadsden Street are now open, though some cones still need to be removed.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
While the improvements were supposed to be done within 3 to 4 months, O\u2019Keefe said, he\u2019s glad there\u2019s at least a sidewalk to prevent jaywalking and lush new grass.<\/p>\n
Tallahassee Attorney Don Pumphrey said he\u2019s 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\u2019ve been a crown jewel next to the courthouse, Pumphrey said. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m proud of the city that I was born in and that I grew up in. And I\u2019ll continue to be proud if they\u2019ll fix that thing and do the beautification that they\u2019ve done here and just carry it on somehow, some way,\u201d Pumphrey said.<\/p>\n
More Tallahassee news:<\/p>\n
Pumphrey said drivers often speed on Calhoun Street because it\u2019s a one-way, so the new improvements will create a safer environment.<\/p>\n
What comes next for the failed development remains unknown. This year\u2019s improvements are only about the sidewalks and right of way.<\/p>\n
The City of Tallahassee is moving to foreclose on the property over unpaid fines, though the developer has moved to dismiss the suit.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Keefe said that while it\u2019s in the city\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
While the physical building and sidewalks are under the city\u2019s jurisdiction, Leon County also jump-started the pressure campaign by demanding its two roadways around the project be restored.<\/p>\n
The sidewalk near Jefferson Street closest to the failed project remains closed, though a city spokesperson said it will reopen in early January.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we\u2019ve 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,\u201d Pumphrey said.<\/p>\n
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