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July 08, 2010
New Development Proposed as Catalyst for Gaines Street Revitalization
Bringing the city of Tallahassee’s vision for the transformation of Gaines Street to life, Seminole Boosters Inc. and Hunter & Harp Holdings LLC have proposed College Town - an entertainment and residential district to be located between Gaines and South Madison Street - at a meeting of the Florida State University Board of Trustees.
The proposal calls for College Town to link downtown Tallahassee to the FSU campus while creating an urban-renewal community that is casual, eclectic and safe. The development was described in a proposed amendment to the university’s 2008 Adopted Master Plan that would expand the campus south and connect it with Gaines Street.
The blocks between Gaines Street, West Madison Street, Woodward Avenue and Collier Street are the planned site of College Town, which is designed to feature sophisticated three- to five-story, urban-designed buildings surrounded by tree-lined, cobblestone pedestrian streets. The planned community would offer sophisticated restaurants, entertainment, shopping and living options that are clean, safe and vibrant. As envisioned, College Town would be a center where education, business and people come together in a lively and imaginative environment.
“The impact College Town will have on the university is far-reaching,” said FSU Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration John Carnaghi. “Through increased new-student retention, faculty recruitment, student employment, additional student housing and even increased dining and social opportunities, College Town brings an additional focal point to our campus.”
With approximately 150,000 square feet of living and entertainment space planned, College Town would host brownstone living encompassing 100 two-bedroom, two-bathroom accommodations, designed for upscale student housing and season ticket-holders.
“The level of energy and enthusiasm for Gaines Street projects from the city of Tallahassee has really created a channel for College Town to come to life,” Tallahassee Mayor John Marks said. “College Town is forging a new spirit of cooperation and long-term relationships between the university and the city of Tallahassee.”
Similar, successful College Town models include ones in Austin, Texas; Boulder, Colo.; Ann Arbor, Mich.; and Athens, Ga. The 18-month plan for the Tallahassee project calls for construction to begin in February 2011.
“The vast amount of jobs and tax dollars this project will cultivate gives Tallahassee a strong market advantage, providing incentives for new growth in our community,” said Chad Kittrell, principal with Hunter & Harp Holdings LLC. “This area is designed to retain, expand and attract businesses and investment to improve the Gaines Street environment.”
For more information on College Town, call Autumn Barnes Mayfield of The Mayfield Group at (850) 421-9007 or e-mail her at amayfield@the-mayfield-group.com.