Clearing the Way for Progress
Demolition to Begin on Former Shelter and Renaissance Community Center Properties
Next week, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will begin clearing the way for progress on the 400 block of West Tennessee Street near the intersection of North Macomb Street. Starting on Monday, Feb. 20, crews will begin work on the demolition of the former Shelter and Renaissance Community Center properties.
The demolition will be conducted by Great Southern Demolition Inc. of Tallahassee and will include the removal of buildings, asphalt and other materials at 470, 468 and 466 West Tennessee Street and 465, 447 and 431 West Virginia Street. Weather permitting demolition is expected to last 6 to 8 weeks.
“The demolition of these buildings is the next step in an effort that will eventually replace these properties with a mixed-use development that complements the history of Frenchtown, serves area residents and attracts new business opportunities to the area,” said Vice Chairman of the Leon County Commission Nick Maddox, Chair of the CRA.
Since May 2015, the CRA has been preparing the former Shelter and Renaissance Community Center properties for demolition. Once the buildings are razed, Great Southern Demolition will also regrade the properties to a natural slope and place seed in bare areas to help ready the properties for redevelopment.
“Once this work is complete, the roughly three-acre parcel will be the centerpiece of future redevelopment in the Frenchtown area,” Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum said. “These revitalization efforts will spur new economic opportunities and ultimately foster a community where all residents can thrive.”
The CRA acquired the former Shelter and Renaissance Community Center properties in May 2014 as part of a planned relocation of shelter services to the Kearney Center, a comprehensive homeless services center on West Pensacola Street. Prior to the opening of the Kearney Center in April 2015, the former Shelter served as the primary overnight shelter for the homeless in Tallahassee for more than 20 years. Beginning in March 2012, daytime and case management services for homeless persons and others in need were provided at the Renaissance Community Center.
Following demolition and the completion of a market analysis, the CRA will issue a Request for Proposals seeking offers to redevelop the properties.
For more information about the Community Redevelopment Agency, visit Talgov.com/CRA or call 891-8537.