Frenchtown Revitalization
Overview
In 1996, the City Commission approved an aggressive revitalization strategy designed to rebuild the homeownership and economic base of the Frenchtown community. This strategy focused on increased public safety, access to neighborhood services, improving the residential viability of the community, and increased employment and commercial opportunities. The City, in partnership with all aspects of the Frenchtown community, has implemented a number of programs and initiatives.
These actions have already resulted in significant improvements such as crime reduction and increased construction of single-family homes in the area.
Renaissance Center
After years of planning, meeting and negotiating, the construction of the Frenchtown Renaissance Center was completed in April 2005 with a grand opening celebration on May 13, 2005.
This office complex encompasses 70,000 square feet with a 300-space parking garage. Renaissance Partners LLC, a limited liability corporation consisting of the McGinnis Booth Trust and the Frenchtown Community Development Corporation, developed the project. Barnett Fronczak Architects designed the facility and Culpepper Construction Company built it.
Over the years, this site contained various businesses that offered a wide range of goods and services that included dry cleaners, jewelers, tailors, restaurants, and various other establishments.
Once considered the heart of the community, the businesses on this site begin to decline when integration arrived in the mid 60s. Customers that once patronized these businesses now had many more shopping choices and eventually abandoned these businesses.
By 1990, the buildings at the north and south ends of the block were condemned and soon demolished. The remaining businesses were adult entertainment establishments that seemed to act as a crime magnet that kept law enforcement agencies busy.
To make way for the Renaissance Center, the remaining structures on this site were demolished in 1996.
Description and Location
The Frenchtown area is primarily a residential neighborhood bounded by Seventh Avenue and Alabama Street to the north, Bronough Street to the east, Tennessee Street to the south and Woodward Avenue to the west. These formal boundaries were established by the Planning Department. Staff looked at census tract information, prior studies' boundaries, and the community development block grant boundaries for Frenchtown in establishing these boundaries.
The area is located within the City of Tallahassee, northwest of downtown (which includes the Capitol Complex, City Hall and the County Courthouse). Its southwest border is in close proximity to Florida State University; and just east of the area is the Governor's Mansion.
The area includes some of the oldest residential and commercial areas in the City of Tallahassee. The existing residential architecture reflects a southern vernacular, with frame structures, tin roofs, concrete block foundations, and single stories being the primary characteristics. Many of these houses were built between 1900 and 1930 and reflect the popular styles of the time, i.e. saddlebag, shotgun, cottage and bungalows.
Businesses in the area range from auto services to personal services to business services. The existing commercial land uses are concentrated mostly along Brevard and Macomb Streets. Additional pockets are also found along Old Bainbridge and Fourth Avenue. Tennessee Street, the southern edge of the study area, is also characterized by commercial uses.
Projects
Single-Family Housing Under Construction
Carolina Place and Carolina Oaks have been combined to create a 25-unit single-family detached housing development. This project is well underway and should be completed by the end of the year.
Area Flood Relief in Planning
The City recently completed a basin study in Frenchtown as a result of a $3 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. This study will be used to develop a stormwater master plan for the Frenchtown area. The results are awaiting review and recommendations by local leadership.
Infrastructure Improvements for Area
A $1.3 million Economic Development Grant allowed the City to retrofit 4,500 linear feet of public infrastructure in the Frenchtown area. Phase I of the project around the Renaissance Center has been completed. The remainder of this initiative (in the planning stage) would include updating and undergrounding the utilities, installing of fiber optics, resurfacing streets, widening sidewalks and installing of historically thematic lampposts.
Mixed-use Development
A $9 million mixed-use development, consisting of approximately 15,000 square feet of retail and commercial space as well as 24 townhouse and condominium units, will be located in the 600 block of Macomb Street. The Frenchtown Community Development Corporation is developing this project and recently received site plan approval on the proposed development shown to the right.
Public Housing To Get New Look
The Tallahassee Housing Authority will replace their 102-unit public housing development at 1010 Macomb Street with townhomes, garden style apartments, and single-family houses. Demolition of the existing structures will occur in June, and the construction is set for January 2006.