- Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency staff will not recommend the CRA purchase land at Railroad Square.
- However, CRA staff are willing to explore a public-private partnership led by Railroad Square tenants.
- Watch now to hear how a new partnership involving Railroad Square tenants could provide a path forward for the district.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Even though there are still many more questions than answers about the future of Railroad Square Art District, the arts community got a win Tuesday.
I'm Alberto Camargo at Railroad Square.
Taking you through how a public land purchase here went from the door getting slammed shut — to keeping that door open.
On paper, the recommendation to the Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency Board will be a "no" on purchasing any of the 6.8 acres of Railroad Square that is for sale.
But a group known as the Revitalize Railroad Square Cohort pled their case to reimagine how the CRA can still be involved.
It involves a public-private partnership where the CRA fronts a purchase to then hand off to the cohort.
"Even if the CRA themselves are not buying all 6.8, that the CRA is interested to continue working with us to subsidize the purchase and us, on our end, finding the different investors and entities that are going to bring the money that we need."
The Greater Frenchtown Southside Citizen's Advisory Committee is the group crafting the recommendation to the CRA board.
CAC members discussed how the CRA can still be involved in this deal.
"Knowing and understanding that the CRA subsidizes projects — for-profit projects for people individually to make money off of — it also makes sense for the CRA to subsidize projects for the arts community, for something like this. But I agree that it has to make sense."
That's all the arts cohort needed to hear Tuesday.
"I thought it was really quite hopeful."
Terry Galloway says the CRA's appraisal of the Railroad Square property helps them massively in securing funding.
The 6.8 acres on sale were appraised for $6.4 million.
"This kind of meeting helps us to articulate and sharpen that focus. So that when we do this, it's not just artsy, let's make art, no. It's on a good, solid financial ground as well."
Railroad Square management says there is no current timeline for a final sale of the property.
It's no guarantee, but the Greater Frenchtown Southside CAC staff told the revitalization cohort to come back with more details on their plan at its next meeting on Feb. 10.
At Railroad Square, Alberto Camargo, ABC27.
UPDATE 5:15 PM:
In a meeting on Tuesday, the Tallahassee CRA will not recommend the purchase of Railroad Square.
However, it will work with Railroad Square Revitalization Cohort to explore a public-private partnership to maintain the arts district.
Kathleen Spehar of the Council for Culture and Arts shared with CRA staff a text message from Kaye family that there is no timeline for the sale of the district.
The Revitalization Cohort is made up of 621 Gallery and Mickee Faust Club.
The groups say it's actively seeking private investment for a private-public partnership.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Another pivotal decision for the future of Railroad Square Art District is coming next week.
I'm Alberto Camargo at Railroad Square.
Breaking down why the district's future is still in limbo.
In October, I told you that the Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency voted to conduct a feasibility study at Railroad Square.
It left the door open for a potential land purchase of up to 6.8 acres of the 8-acre district.
But meeting documents online say that CRA staff do not recommend any purchase.
The concerns are in the age, maintenance, insurance, and upkeep of the buildings.
On top of that, CRA staff says purchasing land would require hiring a property management company saying, "without a clear vision for how Railroad Square would be managed, staff is concerned that the agency will have a burden more than an asset."
Railroad Square management have said that if no land is bought, they will go forward with private developers.
The recommendation will be discussed in a special meeting Tuesday at the Renaissance Center on N. Macomb St.
It will then be up to the CRA board to make a final decision in its next meeting on Jan. 16.
At Railroad Square, Alberto Camargo, ABC27.
