Frenchtown/Southside Community Redevelopment Area
Overview
In an effort to revitalize the areas to the north and south of downtown, the City of Tallahassee Commission established the Frenchtown/Southside Community Redevelopment Area (F/S CRA) and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in 1998. The Frenchtown/Southside Community Redevelopment Plan and the trust fund for the F/S CRA were established in June 2000. A Citizen's Advisory Committee, consisting of seven members representing the business and neighborhood components of the Frenchtown and Southside areas, also helps in the development of programs aimed at enhancing the F/S CRA.
The F/S CRA consists of over 1,450 acres of residential, commercial and industrial land uses located near the heart of downtown Tallahassee. View the map of the Frenchtown/Southside CRA (PDF). Included within the boundaries of the redevelopment area are thirteen neighborhood communities, seven major commercial areas, and numerous mixed-use areas. In addition, the area borders parts of the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and the Florida State University (FSU).
With such a large and diverse area, numerous opportunities exist for new development and redevelopment of residential, commercial and industrial properties. The CRA is actively involved with developers and community groups to create unique and successful development opportunities. Complementing the activities of the CRA, the City has developed a variety of economic development incentives that can be used within the redevelopment area to promote new businesses, expand existing businesses and rehabilitate historic structures.
Completed Projects
To date, the Community Redevelopment Agency has provided or committed tax increment funds to support a variety of projects in the redevelopment area. Completed projects in the F/S CRA include:
- Providence Neighborhood Improvements – Tax increment funds have been used to purchase six lots and construct five affordable homes in the Providence neighborhood, which was selected as the 2002 Community Renaissance Neighborhood. The City also used CRA funds to purchase the land for a future Providence Neighborhood Community Center.
- Frenchtown Village Marketplace – The CRA funded the demolition and site preparation for the Frenchtown Village Marketplace, a mixed-use development with 12 townhomes, 8 condominiums, 15,000 square feet of retail and office, and an open-air pavilion. Construction is expected to begin on this project in 2006.
- Sidewalk Construction – Agency funds were used to construct a sidewalk along the east side of South Adams Street from Magnolia to Orange Avenue. Bordering Florida A&M University, this is an area of major pedestrian traffic.
- Streetscape Improvements – Agency funds were used to design and install landscape improvements along Railroad Avenue, located within the Gaines Street Revitalization Area.
Current Projects
The projects that are currently in the process of development include:
- Goodbread Hills Affordable Housing – The Redevelopment Agency is providing the Tallahassee Housing Authority with $925,000 over the next several years to assist in the development of the 93-unit Goodbread Hills affordable housing apartment development, consisting of 45 townhomes and 48 garden apartments that are designed for families at 60 percent of the area-wide median income or less. In addition, 20 percent of the units will be reserved for very low-income families at 30 percent or less of the area-wide median income. CRA funds will be used to leverage private investment, with almost $12 in private investment expected for every dollar of CRA funding.
- Commercial Façade Improvement Program – This program provides for the use of tax increment funds to leverage private investment for general exterior improvements to non-residential structures, in order to help eliminate slum and blighting influences with the redevelopment area. Eligible applicants can receive funding up to $50,000 on a one-to-one match with equal owner/tenant funding for façade improvements. This program became effective on October 16, 2006. Obtain an application for funding.
- Water/Sewer Tap Fee Waiver Program – This program provides for the use of tax increment funds to pay the permit fees associated with connecting to the City's water and sewer system for moderate-income, owner-occupied residences. The program will benefit the redevelopment area by promoting new, more diverse, mixed-income developments in an area that has been predominantly low-income.
Future Projects
- Providence Neighborhood Community Center – In addition to the funds already expended to purchase the site, CRA funds will be used to design and construct a 2,500 square foot community center which will include a meeting room, one or two classrooms, a snack bar, an office, a playground, and a basketball court.
- Update of the Frenchtown/Southside Community Redevelopment Plan – Due to many changes that have occurred in this area since the preparation of the original plan in May 2000, the Advisory Committee has recommended the plan to be updated to incorporate these changes and to develop a set of strategic measures for the area. The update will also include the identification of key parcels the CRA should consider purchasing and developing and the evaluation/need of additional amenities, such as public parking.
- Land Acquisition, Development and Related Expenses - $600,000 has been set aside to examine the purchase of properties within the area for redevelopment purposes. Specific offers to purchase properties will be brought to the Agency Board for final approval.