A Plan for Revitalizing Railroad Square

KEY POINTS

    The historic Railroad Square Art District, located on 8 acres between FSU an d FAMU, was severely damagedby the tornadoes of May 10th. As a result, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation recently named this property one of Florida’s “11 to Save”, an annual list of the most threatened historic places in the state. Adam and Lily Kaye, the private owners of 95% of Railroad Square, have been dedicated to cultivating the art district for the past 20 years but have stated they are unable to continue managing it in its current form. They are reluctantly considering the private sale of many parcels but are offering local government a time-limited first right of refusal to purchase some of the Railroad Square property for use as a revitalized arts/creative district. If a significant portion of the art district is not acquired by the public or nonprofit sectors, we will lose an opportunity to redevelop this highly desirable site into a thriving arts/cultural asset that would benefit the entire community.

     Developing an arts/cultural district not only improves the quality of life for Tallahassee residents, but it is also an excellent economic development strategy for fostering local talent, supporting local and minority- owned businesses, attracting tourism to local events and elevating surrounding neighborhoods. To this end, the long-term revitalization/redevelopment of Tallahassee’s Railroad Square Art District might include:

•  an eclectic, inclusive and accessible Arts Village, consisting of an indoor performance venue; a small
• outdoor stage; art studios, galleries, and shops; an art-themed playground for children, and a restaurant / food court.
• An African-American art history gallery and educational center, managed by the well-established 621 Gallery, could include programming and education on the influence of African-American art, perhaps coordinated in partnership with FAMU’s Foster-Tanner Fine Arts Gallery.
•  On-site studios and housing for artists and arts students attending FSU, FAMU and TSC or residences for people specifically interested in living in an active creative district. A small, urban-style regional Performing Arts Center (PAC) hosting theatrical productions and concerts.

     We would like to explore a range of options: 1) public purchase of up to nearly 7 acres, with the Kayes retaining ownership of their remaining acreage but committing to a shared arts district concept; 2) ground leases with a right of first refusal; 3) land banking; or 4) a blend of these options.

       We have identified a funding plan -- confirmed to be viable by local govt staff -- in which the Frenchtown-Southside CRA could allocate between $6 million and $12 million over multiple years to purchase and develop the land. Once we secure these CRA funds, private investment and, potentially, longer-term funding from Blueprint 2040 could bring additional resources for redeveloping the art district.

NEXT STEPS

• The first, essential step will take place at the August 22nd CRA meeting, when the CRA voting members (i.e., the Mayor & City Commissioners) should direct staff to bring back an agenda item with several funding options.

• For this project to move forward, a majority of the CRA board must approve a motion that specifically asks for reasonable, good-faith funding scenarios: partial purchase options (for example, three options at $2 million, $6 million, and $12 million) that might also include rights of first refusal on the remaining parcels owned by the Kayes. This agenda item must be ready for the CRA Board’s consideration at their subsequent meeting on October 17th.

• For the CRA Board to approve funding, we must demonstrate widespread support and cultivate a group of enthusiastic stakeholders in favor of this plan.